Most popular sunglass brands use materials that are harmful to the environment. However, there are brands that have started paying attention to sustainability and thus producing eco-friendly sunglasses.
Eco sunglasses are made from bamboo, cork or reclaimed wood. Bamboo is the fastest growing wood and is an excellent sustainable material. It’s stronger than steel but lightweight, it’s long-lasting, moisture-resistant and has a stunning wood grain style.
Cork and wood also have minimal impact on the environment. Cork is extracted from the bark of a tree. This helps enhance the forest life cycle. It is reusable, biodegradable, and fire and water-resistant.
Interested in trying out eco-friendly sunglasses? Check out these 11 top sustainable brands.
Our Reviews of the Best Eco-Friendly Sunglasses To Buy in 2021
1. Grown Eyewear
Grown Eyewear creates a stylish line of eco-friendly sunglasses for women, men, and children. Their sunglasses are made from wood and bamboo sustainably-sourced from FSC-certified forests. To make each pair of sunglasses unique, no two grains of wood are ever similar. You will love the fact that the Grown eyewear sunglasses are 33% lighter than similar-sized plastic eyewear making them easy to carry.
2. Knockaround
This family-owned business has been around since 2005 and has been manufacturing recyclable, eco-friendly limited sunglasses. The lenses are made from polycarbonate, an environmentally conscious plastic. You can choose between non-polarized and polarized lenses.
Each year, the company selects young artists to design a line of sunglasses and donates 100 percent of all the proceeds from this collection to ArtReach, an organization that provides educational resources to local elementary schools.
3. Sticks & Sparrow
This Australian company uses sustainable materials to craft its sunglasses. All their sunglasses come with 100% UV protection and scratch-resistant lenses. You can try the Sticks & Sparrow frames on at home before you buy!
4. Mango
Are you a fan of retro sunglasses? Then you’ll love Mango sunglasses. These unisex sunglasses are made using copper, and an eco-friendly polycarbonate lens. The gradient lenses make the Mango Retro Style sunglasses ideal for driving or spending time outdoors.
The company publishes full disclosures of its sustainability practices, how it impacts the environment and the projects the company has partnered in.
5. Proof
Proof environmentally friendly sunglasses are made from plant-based acetate and sustainably sourced 100% biodegradable wood. These stylish sunglasses are durable, lightweight and come in a beautiful wooden cover.
The company gives back by partnering with NGOs that help people who are suffering from cataracts.
6. ‘ECO’ Sunglasses by Modo
The ‘ECO’ sunglasses collection by Modo is designer eyewear with some of the frames produced using 95% recycled materials and others using 63% bio-based, USDA certified materials. If you’re a professional or city dweller you’ll love this sleek brand.
This New York-based brand plants a tree for every frame sold. The company has planted more than 1.4 million trees so far in partnership with Trees for the Future.
7. Warby Parker
The Warby Parker collection features eco-friendly sunglasses in various styles, giving everyone something to choose from. The entire collection is made from sustainable materials that are 100% safe for the environment.
The company gives back to the community by donating a pair of glasses to a person in need for every pair of glasses purchased from the company.
8. VonZipper
This Australian company produces aviator-style sunglasses that are made from stainless steel making them sustainable, recyclable and durable. These functional sunglasses feature polycarbonate lenses that offer 100% UV protection, shielding your eyes from the sun especially while at the beach.
9. Woodzee
The Woodzee sunglasses are made from sustainable, earth-friendly bamboo. The sunglasses are lightweight and breathe nicely, so you can wear them comfortably during summer. They feature resin lenses that are eco-friendly, as well as durable stainless steel hinges for the perfect fit.
Woodzee also offers a recycling program where you can send them your old Woodzee sunglasses and receive a discount on a future purchase.
10. Dick Moby
Dick Moby is based in Amsterdam and creates a range of beautifully handcrafted eco-friendly sunglasses and eyeglasses. Their unique and trendy sunglasses are made from bio-plastic acetate. The sunglasses feature certified lenses by ZEISS and contain anti-scratch and anti-reflection coating. The sunglasses come in a free recycled leather hard case. The company gives 10% of its sales to organizations that curb plastic pollution.
11. Finlay & Co.
Finlay & Co. sunglasses are made in Italy using high-quality materials. The company only uses the finest quality wood for its frames. You can engrave your frames with your name or initials using their bespoke engraving service. The sunglasses feature sleek and rounded frames and vintage-inspired lenses that offer the ultimate in UVA/UVB protection.
Related article: Best Environmentally Friendly Products
No matter which one of these eco-friendly sunglasses you choose, you can be sure you’ll be looking sleek and stylish. To top that they’re styles you’ll feel good about buying because they have minimum impact on the environment.