Consumers are getting more and more aware of their environmental impact when making purchases. In fact, nearly 73% of consumers globally claim they would alter their purchase patterns in order to lessen their impact on the environment. The eyeglasses industry is one of many that have adopted a more environmentally sensitive mode of operation as a result of this change in consumer behavior.
Globally, several eyewear manufacturers are adopting a more environmentally friendly method of production. To convey an environmentally conscientious brand image to the public, some of the leading eyewear firms, including Neubau Eyewear and Eco Eyewear, have sustainability at the center of their business operations. Sustainability in the eyewear market is unquestionably here to stay and is unquestionably a viable option for your company, as has proven abundantly obvious in recent years.
However, you may be asking what the major elements of eco-friendly eyewear and glasses are. Would entering this field be worthwhile? Let's talk a little bit more about some of your possibilities for producing eco-friendly glasses before opting to change how you operate.
What does "green eyewear" mean?
If you've done any research on environmentally responsible eyewear, you've probably looked at eco-friendly acetate or green acetate alternatives. Because of its superior, glossy, and flexible structure, acetate is used by the majority of eyewear manufacturers. Acetate is really a common material in eco-friendly eyewear businesses like Proof Eyewear and Shwood. A natural and renewable material, cellulose acetate offers a sustainable option to plastics made from petroleum. But let's examine acetate production in more detail.
Acetic anhydride, sulfuric acid, and acetic acid are the three primary components of acetate. These are extremely hazardous and caustic materials, and if the trash is not properly disposed of, it could harm the environment. Some producers also add plasticizers, which may contain the dreaded harmful phthalates, to this. Acetate is therefore not as "green" as one might initially believe.
What other options do I have?
Let's look at a few of the possibilities you can take into account while producing your eco-friendly eyeglasses.
GLASSES MADE OF RECYCLED PLASTIC:
The most popular method that eyewear firms employ to make their products more environmentally friendly is probably recycled eyeglasses. Customers that care about the environment can choose recycled eyeglasses producers like Solo and Sea2See Eyewear. These are the procedures that often occur when making recycled eyeglasses, though the procedure can vary depending on the type of plastic used:
1.Collection.
2.Sorting: sorted into groups depending on resin code (RID)
3.Plastics that have been separated are shredded and washed to get rid of any contaminants.
4.Pelletizing: Pellets of plastic are created by melting and combining different types of plastic. These pellets can then be utilized to create other goods, such as recycled eyeglass frames.
GLASSES WITH METAL FRAME:
Consumers should choose eyewear with metal frames since they are more durable and sustainable. For manufacturing, metal eyewear, such as stainless steel frames, titanium, nickel silver, aluminum, Monel, etc., is created from a particular alloy.
The following are two crucial actions required to create metal-framed glasses:
1.The following materials are ready: end piece, eye wire, bridge metal, and so on.
2.Producing accessories: Cutting wire from the material or the oil pressing process. Then, a variety of processes, including bending, cutting, welding, etc., are applied to the accessories.
Despite being more environmentally benign than plastic, these metallic materials must also be compared to the complete manufacturing process. For instance, the manufacturing of titanium, a metal that is frequently used for frames, can result in the production of trash that is exceedingly poisonous. As a byproduct of the titanium manufacturing process, sulfuric acid waste or chlorine gas may escape into the atmosphere or water and cause severe environmental harm.
GLASSES WITH A BAMBOO FRAME:
The most environmentally friendly material for wooden eyeglass frames is by far bamboo. It is a resource that is widely available and has the greatest growth rate of any plant, averaging 2 feet each day. In addition to being environmentally friendly, bamboo frame eyewear is incredibly light and easy to wear.
If you're thinking about producing bamboo eyeglasses, you should know that because some steps are done by hand, it takes longer and costs a little bit more.
Eco-packaging and substitute lenses
The majority of the time, environmentally concerned customers who have made conscientious purchases from brands they believe to be sustainable end up being dissatisfied with the results. Why? While the material used to make the eyewear frame is eco-friendly, the transit packaging is primarily comprised of plastic and ends up in landfills. In addition to being wasteful, the amount of protective packaging is contrary to the idea of eco-friendly eyewear.
The amount of garbage produced by plastic lenses has a negative impact on a number of environmental factors. Plastic lenses can take up to 500 years to degrade in landfills, releasing contaminants into the earth in the process. When plastic lenses are flushed down the drain, they disintegrate into microplastics, which contaminate our oceans. Thankfully, all debris associated with contact lenses is now recyclable!
The ground-breaking biodegradable material BD8 is robust, adaptable, and eco-friendly. It can decompose naturally into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. Its Bio Lens, which can be broken down into carbon, water, and organic matter, begins to biodegrade in landfills and the ocean in 10+ days.
Which option ought you to pick?
Which material is therefore best for your product?
In the end, the choice is yours. However, eco-friendly eyewear is here to stay, whether it is made from bamboo, metals, or recycled plastic. At Comarc, we're here to ensure that your procedures, products, and quality are all tracked and compliant.
We provide products of a high and consistent quality to assist you in ensuring environmental compliance and verification. With Comarc's assistance, you may better understand your product and identify ways to reduce its environmental impact without sacrificing quality.