This Summer shop for companies that align with your values! Each brand is experimenting with bio-based and recycled materials: from old skateboards, to rapeseed oil and cotton-based acetate.
Here our shortlist of the world’s highest quality and eco-friendly shades for a conscious holiday.
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Wires
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Swway / Pela Vision
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Wear Panda
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Woodzee
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Proof
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Waterhaul
1. Wires
Wires is the brainchild of English model Lily Cole. Inspired by traditional African wire crafts with Italian hand manufacture and 3D printing, the entire supply chain is as sustainable as it gets. The sunglasses are modular, and dubbed “forever frames” if something breaks you can simply exchange it.
eco materials: Lenses: castor oil, Rims: castor oil, Temple Tips: rapeseed oil, Wire: stainless steel
Price Range: €150-200
Home: UK
2. Swway (formally Pela Vision)
From the creators of Pela Case, these sunnies are completely biodegradeable in a landfill. Or else they can be sent back to the company through the Pela 360 recycling program, where they will be transformed into a new pair.
eco materials: flax straw material and cellulose acetate derived from cotton and wood.
Price Range: €55+
Home: California, USA
3. Wear Panda
WearPanda a successful kickstarter campaign aimed at replacing cheap plastic polluting sunglasses. The company also donates to several charitable organizations as part of its philosophy “fashion with purpose.”
Eco Materials: bamboo, Portuguese cork, recycled materials
Price Range: €100+
Home: UK & South Korea
4. Woodzee
Making sustainable eyewear stylish, Woodzee truly sets the bar! With a variety of different styles, and playful materials Woodzee has sunglasses for every personality.
Eco Materials: recycled skateboards, wood, metal, acetate, and bamboo.
Price Range: €50-100
Home: California, USA
5. Proof
Proof is an Idaho based company founded by 3 brothers and based on three principles: heritage, sustainability, and giving back. The company handcrafts its products and constantly looks for charitable organizations to give back to.
Eco Materials: biodegradeable cotton-based acetate, sustainably sourced wood, stainless steel, recycled alumnium, cork case.
Price Range: €60-120
Home: Idaho, USA
6. Waterhaul
The founder is a marine biologist and surfer on a mission to upcycle abandoned fishing nets. The company partners with NGOs to recover fishing and ghost nets, then has its own recycling operation where they are shredded and turned into pellets. They also have a recycling program that will take a pair back where it will reenter the production loop.
Eco Materials: recycled mineral glass, upcycled fishing nets
Price Range: €80-100
Home: €60-100
