What sustainable sunglasses options are out there: bio-acetate, shopping second hand, and more

Dive with us into why we love sunglasses, what they are made of and alternative sustainable options out there. True to your values and true to your style.

Sunglasses can do a lot more than provide necessary UV protection…

They are also the best accessory to help effortlessly pull your outfit together. Finding the right shape can perfectly compliment your face, or tie into your personal style. Wearing a pair of great sunglasses naturally radiates coolness, boosting your confidence. We also love sunglasses because it lets us conceal our eyes and the emotions that often accompany them, almost as if in disguise, making you feel empowered. 

Let’s break it down: here’s what your sunglasses were made of until now

Don’t let the name fool you – even though they are called sunGLASSES, they are predominately made of plastic, because they are cheap and easy to make. But some higher end or vintage sunglasses are made of metal frames which are great for durability and lightweightedness. If you want some natural options, wood and rubber have also been used as frames. The actual lenses of sunglasses are either made from plastic, polycarbonate, or of course, glass. But yet again, plastic has taken over.

You may be wondering, how is this affecting the environment?

The issue with almost all sunglasses today is that they contribute to global plastic pollution. Even the ones made of wood or rubber typically have plastic coatings on them that make them impossible to decompose. Metal frames can actually be infinitely recycled, but most companies aren’t taking advantage of this quality and producing only new metal. The same goes for plastic ones. But recently, sustainable brands have been dedicated to creating eco-friendly options, providing us cute shades without the guilt of contributing to Earth’s plastic problem.

But let’s see things through rose colored lenses: what sustainable sunglass options are out there?

First and foremost, buying second hand is always a great sustainable option, because it gives a second life to something that would have otherwise been discarded. It also reduces demand for new sunglasses, creating a culture in which less pollution is created and less resources are used. 

If you can’t find what you are looking for from second hand shops, try sunglasses that are made from recycled plastic. This is better for the environment because nothing new is created in the process, and it diverts plastic waste from our oceans and land. The only downside is that they never decompose completely. Guess you’ll have to keep them forever…

However, there are biodegradable options out there. Renoon has just partnered with brands Stella Mccartney, The Bespoke Dudes Eyewear, and Pala Eyewear, who are pioneering bio-acetate frames.

Acetate is the fancy term for the material that wood-based frames are made of, but like mentioned before, they often have a plastic component to them that makes them non-biodegradable.

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Thankfully, Bio-acetate abandons this ingredient in order to make frames that are completely biodegradable and 100% plant based, leaving no plastic waste after their lifespan, and making the Earth a greener and happier place.

Where are they made?

The worldwide leader in the manufacturing and distribution of Bio-acetate is Mazzucchelli, an Italian company based in Castiglione Olona, Italy.

They are a family-run business that have lasted 6 generations, that believe in the power of innovation and a focus on tradition, craftsmanship, and quality. Most brands that use bio-acetate partner with Mazzucchelli for production, including most of the brands #foundonrenoon

Finding your tools against greenwashing

For sure we are here to help you find your bio-acetate sunglasses  that have been 100% fact checked to be biodegradable and plastic free. However, if you want to know how to double check brand’s claims elsewhere, make sure to read their compositions percentages to see if they are really plastic-free.

Greenwashing is something to look out for and there is a lot of it out there. But we are always here to help and together be part of the sustainable fashion transformation.