In need of a new pair of sunglasses? Here’s my guide to the UK eco-friendly sunglasses brands to know – including the brands made from recycled materials, and those made of renewable resources.
When the sun has its hat on, there are a few things I always do. Firstly, I slap on some eco-friendly sunscreen, then pack my sustainable beach bag, and then pop on some sunglasses before heading outdoors.
However, forget the plastic frames. Sunglasses have come a long way. Now you can find sustainable sunglasses made from recycled materials or made from renewable resources. Some sunglasses brands even offer closed-loop recycling schemes for when your sunglasses bite the dust.
What To Look For When Shopping For Sustainable Sunglasses
There have been a lot of sustainable innovations when it comes to sunglasses. To help you out here are the key things to look for when shopping for new ethical sunglasses:
Bio-Acetate
Glasses frames are generally made from a lightweight yet hard-wearing material called cellulose acetate. This is made from a mix of cotton and/or wood pulp and plastic derived from petroleum-based sources.
Many brands are moving away from traditional cellulose acetate for their frames and switching to a material called bio-acetate. Here, petroleum-based plastic is replaced with renewable plant oils, such as castor seed oil. This makes a more eco-friendly sunglasses frame, with all the same properties that cellulose acetate has, but without the fossil fuel input.
It’s important to bear in mind that bio-acetate, whilst plant-based, is still a plastic. It is considered biodegradable but it requires industrial composting facilities to do so. This means it can’t be composted at home, and if you can’t find any industrial composting facilities then it should be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Recycled Plastic
Bio-acetate sunglasses tend to come in at a higher price point. However, if you are looking for sustainable eye protection on a smaller budget then you can look for brands making their frames from recycled plastic. This helps you to stick with your sustainability credentials, without having to use virgin plastic.
Recycled Metal
Alongside recycled plastic, many sunglasses brands make either their frames and/or their metal components from recycled metal.
Guide To The Best Eco-Friendly Sunglasses In The UK
Now you know what to look out for, here are my top picks for sustainable sunnies:
CHPO
If you are on a tight budget or are a serial loser of sunglasses, then the Swedish brand CHPO (available at Ethical Superstore for £29.95) offers stylish eco-friendly sunglasses for men and women on a budget.
Made from 100% recycled plastic, you can look good without costing the earth. What’s more, you don’t have to compromise on protection. CHPO’s glasses offer UV400 protection from the sun’s rays.
CHPO takes a strong social stand for an equal society without racism, homophobia and hatred against women. As a part of its Made for Everywhere scheme, CHPO collaborates with non-profit or charity organisations. Here 100% of the profits are donated to these causes.
Pros
- 🕶️ A wide range of stylish frames for men and women is available.
- ♻️ Made from recycled materials.
- 💰 More affordable price point.
- 👍 Gives back to charity and supports social justice.
- ☀️ Excellent UVA and UVB shielding.
Cons
- ♻️ No recycling scheme.
- 🛡️ The included pouch may not offer great protection. As such, you may need to buy a separate case for them.
Liewood Kids
If you are looking for eco-friendly sunglasses for kids, then try Liewood’s recycled sunglasses (available at Smallable from £17). These stylish, retro-inspired children’s glasses are made from Global Recycled Standard (GRS)-certified recycled polycarbonate plastic, for a lower impact.
This certification means that the product is made of a minimum quantity of recycled material (in the case of GRS, it’s at least 50%). In addition, GRS-certified organisations have to meet social, environmental, and chemical requirements, at each stage of the supply chain.
With options available for children aged 1 to 3 and 4 to 10, each pair features polarised lenses that provide UV protection, reduce glare and ensure clear vision on sunny days. The spring hinges mean extra flexibility and comfort, making them easy to wear for long periods.
All in all, Liewood glasses are a great responsible choice for parents looking to reduce plastic waste while keeping their children’s eyes protected.
Pros
- ♻️ Made from recycled plastic.
- ☀️ Polarised lenses offer good protection.
- 💰 More affordable price point.
- 👦 Brilliant to see sustainable options for kids.
Cons
- ♻️ No recycling scheme.
- 🛡️ You may need to buy a separate case for them.
Sunski
Sunski (from £47.95 at Wildbounds) are another good sustainable option. It makes the frames for each and every pair of sunglasses from a material called SuperLight recycled polycarbonate resin. This is made from post-industrial scrap plastic that might otherwise end up in landfill.
It’s not just the frames that are eco-friendly. Sunski packaging is also completely plastic-free. Meanwhile, Sunski says it has a carbon-neutral supply chain and that it supports environmental causes through it membership of 1% for the Planet. an international non-profit organisation where members contribute at least one percent of their annual sales to environmental causes.
Whilst the frames may be made of recycled plastic, there’s zero compromise on performance. Each pair has polarised lenses, to protect your eyes. These provide 100% UVA/UVB/UV400 protection.
Each pair is also backed by a lifetime guarantee. Sunski says if you break them under normal use, iti will fix them or replace them for you.
Pros
- ♻️ Recycled plastic frames
- 📦 Plastic-free packaging
- ☀️ Offers good sun protection
- 🤝 Lifetime guarantee
Cons
- 🛡️ You may need to buy a separate case for them.
Waterhaul
Waterhaul sunglasses (available on Etsy from £95) make sunglasses with a purpose. As a social enterprise, Waterhaul seeks to tackle ghost fishing gear and nets left behind in our oceans by transforming this waste into UV400 sunglasses.
Founded by marine conservationists, Waterhaul says that abandoned fishing gear and nets are the most common and the most lethal forms of plastic in our oceans – trapping and killing marine life. As such, Waterhaul collects fishing nets from across the coastline of Cornwall. These are then shredded, washed and turned into plastic pellets. The pellets are then used to make sunglasses.
You might be wondering how durable products made from fishing nets really are. Worry not, Waterhaul says that fishing nets are incredibly durable. When these nets are recycled, this makes for super-strong sunglasses frames. Waterhaul stands by this so much that it offers a lifetime warranty on all its sunglasses.
This warranty means that if your glasses break, you can return your sunglasses or eyewear frames to Waterhaul. Waterhauld will then repair or replace the frame free of charge. You just need to cover shipping. Do note that a small fee applies for recycling and replacing other product components, such as sunglasses lenses.
Waterhaul is also developing schemes to assist in preventing gear loss at the source, alongside a port-based pilot scheme in Pembrokeshire.
Pros
- 🤝 Lifetime warranty
- 💰 Great price for eco-friendly sunglasses with a lifetime warranty.
- ♻️ Made from recycled materials, with recycling facilities offered.
- ☀️ Excellent UVA and UVB shielding.
- 🌊 This social enterprise is taking direct action to clean up our seas.
Cons
🕶️ Smaller range of frames available.
More Sustainable Eyewear Resources
I hope I’ve been able to help you find your dream ethical sunglasses. As always, I will keep this post updated – so even if you haven’t, then do check back soon for more eco-friendly recommendations!
And if your old sunglasses have broken, then do check out my guide on what to do with old glasses to help keep them out of landfill.
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