How Recycled Materials Are Shaping Eyewear?
Earlier, the eyewear fashion industry was considered a perfect blend of style and fashion. However, recently one more element has been added to its products, i.e. sustainability. From here, the story of recycled glasses starts. Traditionally as well, the whole industry depended upon conventional, nonrenewable resources of the planet to produce eyewear. To foster sustainable approaches in its eyeglasses, it started innovating eco-friendly eyewear products. And, as they arrived in the market, they changed people's conventional perception of the eyewear fashion industry completely. Let's explore how recycled materials (used to make sustainable glasses) have and are still shaping eyewear.
The growing need for eco-friendly glasses
Until the last two or three decades, the eyewear fashion industry was one of the major contributors to environmental degradation. From causing pollution to harnessing the non-renewable resources of the planet a lot, it contributed to a lot of carbon emissions, hence increasing the carbon footprint. Also, when the use of traditional plastic spectacles reached its limit, ocean plastic pollution hit crisis levels.
The only way the industry thought of reducing the effect is by introducing glasses made from recycled materials. Today, you can observe many environmentally conscious eyewear fashion brands around you working to make glasses from plastics, metals, acetate, and even textiles.
Are you aware of vinyl glasses? Yes, the ones made up of old music records. Many brands including Vinylize have come up with this innovation of making sustainable eyewear with the help of old records. Why? Because they were also only contributing to the plastic pollution in the environment and nothing else. So, why not recycle them and convert them into something stylish and functional like these glasses?
Pioneering eyewear brands embracing recycled materials
Many eco-conscious eyewear fashion brands have taken charge of using recycled materials to create stylish, functional, and sustainable glasses for the consumer market. These brands are a perfect example proving that both sustainability and passion can for sure go hand in hand.
Let's explore some of the most widely used recycled materials to make eco-friendly eyeglasses:
Recycled ocean plastics
As the eyewear fashion industry was one of the top contributors to ocean plastic pollution, it is working dedicatedly today to reduce the increasing environmental crisis. It has pioneered many sustainable brands using ocean plastic waste to create sustainable, high-quality eyewear frames.
But how is ocean plastic shaping the eyewear industry? With every plastic frame comes a unique narrative representing the effort that goes into cleaning up our oceans. This allows environmentally conscious consumers to wear a tangible symbol of environmental responsibility. When you choose glasses made up of ocean plastics or old records, you not only contribute to sustainability but also participate in a global movement to clean our seas.
Upcycled textiles
Yes, the eyewear fashion brands are also looking to collaborate with the textile industry to create eyeglasses made from recycled material. The recycled material in this case is the ‘textile fabric.’ Using the old fabrics to create new, unique quality frames is also a great, innovative, and sustainable step towards environmental preservation.
Why leave the leftover clothing, upholstery materials, and industrial fabric waste create harm to nature when we can use them for upcycling? This sustainable way keeps the materials out of landfills while creating striking glass and frame designs that surely stand out.
By introducing textiles in the recycled glasses, an element of texture and color is introduced that is missing in the traditional plastic frames. With this approach, you can get a more personal, fashion-forward flair to the eyewear you wear. This offers environmentally conscious consumers like you designs that are not only eco-friendly but also innovative and unique at the same time.
What about purchasing a different pair of sustainable textile glasses twinning with your dress?
Recycled metals for eco-friendly glasses
While plastic often takes the spotlight when we discuss glass frames, recycled metals can also play a very significant role in sustainability.
The process of making glasses from recycled metals include the following steps:
- Melting down the metal
- Purifying it, and then
- Repurposing it into new eyewear frames
And the end product is both durable and lightweight, even more than the glasses made up of new metals. But yes, the former has far less environmental impact.
There is one more aspect when people choose glasses made from recycled materials, especially metal ones. The need for mining, one of the very highly energy-intensive and environmentally damaging processes, gets reduced.
Conclusion
Today, a vinyl mirror has become more than just a functional item, it is a combination of creativity, sustainability, and innovation. Nowadays, you can make your sustainable mirror only yours even more through personalization and customization.
