Why bamboo sunglasses are cool
The joy of natural materials
Sunglasses manufacturers are going green by adopting eco-friendly materials. It comes on the heels of public demand for more eco-friendly eyewear, and more manufacturers are responding.
The result has seen the launch of several new eyewear options that make the most of natural materials and new technologies.
One natural material making its way into modern models of eyewear is bamboo. Sunglasses designers are attracted to its qualities: strength, durability, ease of use, and a stylish look that lasts for years.
But it's not just the eco-friendly bamboo itself; the manufacturing process also leaves a smaller carbon footprint.
Unlike plastics and other synthetics, bamboo requires fewer chemicals in the sunglasses manufacturing.
Natural materials on trend
And it's not just bamboo sunglasses that are making an impact on the high street; wooden frames are back in fashion, and other recycled materials are now entering the market.
Fashion designer Stella McCartney (https://www.stellamccartney.com/gb/en/women/accessories/sunglasses.11) was among the first to source eco-friendly materials for her garments and accessories.
Her new eco-friendly sunglasses are made with a 55% castor oil seed – a renewable resource that appeals to the growing number of environmentally aware customers.
Other manufacturers are further ensuring their castor bean oil comes from plants grown on marginal land that doesn't compete with food crops.
Material sourcing
Similarly, some manufacturers of bamboo sunglasses insist their raw material comes from bamboo grown specifically for spectacle manufacture, thus providing jobs in hard-pressed rural areas.
Top sunglasses stylist Colin Leslie sources his bamboo from sourced plantations in Asia to ensure no wild bamboo is used in production.
They also verify that other sunglasses components are ethically produced from recycled plastic. A spokesperson for the company said, " Unfortunately, today's world has become a throwaway society of landfills and harmful environments. We at Colin Leslie feel that everybody can do their bit."
Celebrities take a look
Some may wonder whether bamboo sunglasses are as good as standard spectacles in terms of design and style. You need only turn to celebrities to see what is in fashion and what is out.
Among the stars sporting Colin Leslie bamboo glasses are Emeli Sande, Tinchy Stryder, Alicia Silverstone, Olly Murs, Calum Best and Olly Proudlock – not a bad advertisement for bamboo eyewear.
Even big-name companies like Gucci are turning to eco-friendly products to help the environment. It has released a new model of sunglasses made from 'Liquid Wood', a bio-based and eco-friendly alternative to plastic.
They are made from bio-based materials such as wood fibre grown in sustainably managed forests. Natural wax and lignin are used in paper manufacturing to reduce carbon emissions.
Gucci sunglasses also come with 100% recyclable packaging and a unique foldable case to minimise space and weight, which is claimed to reduce CO2 emissions by 60%.
Wear eco-friendly shades
You, too, can contribute to the environment by wearing eco-friendly shades and choosing to have your damaged glasses repaired rather than replaced.
Whether it's damaged or scratched lenses, bent frames or broken hinges, you can opt to have them fixed to save money and, at the same time, help the planet.
The trained staff at AlphaOmega can repair your glasses to a condition as good as new while saving you money and helping you lower your carbon footprint – good news all around.
