Can Eyewear Be Eco-friendly?
April is Earth Month—and in that spirit, we find ourselves asking an important question: Is it possible to be eco-conscious while protecting our vision? Our Visionworks team wants you to know that it is indeed possible to correct your vision while also reducing your footprint. We want to preserve the planet and offer ways to help you clearly see all of its beauty. Let’s answer the questions surrounding environmentally conscious eyewear, check out some eco-friendly eyewear practices and shop for stylish glasses made from recycled plastics.
Many of us are increasingly concerned with our carbon footprint. You can reduce the footprint of your glasses. For starters, you can repurpose old glasses frames into sunglasses or donate your prescription glasses to someone in need. There are also cool eco-friendly frames made from recycled materials available, which are great options for protecting the planet.
An Eco-friendly Eyewear Brand Making Glasses from Recycled Materials
The eco-conscious eyewear brand Dragon is reducing its impact on the planet by making one. Dragon is looking for solutions to save the environment while giving us the power to see it clearly. This company is on a mission to protect the earth and all of its adventures through its upcycled line of glasses frames. Every frame in the collection is designed to repurpose single-use plastics to help clean our oceans, recycle materials and reduce emissions.
These eco-friendly frames are made using five old water bottles, which means five fewer bottles in a landfill or polluting the ocean. Plus, these stylish frames are lightweight and durable, making them perfect for an active outdoor lifestyle. Dragon has also committed to deepening its social responsibility by partnering with the Surfrider Foundation to protect clean water and healthy beaches. These eco-friendly glasses help recycle single-use plastics into usable materials and support initiatives to further safeguard the planet.
The Environmental Stats Dragon is Working to Make an Impact on through Their Upcycled Glasses
Dragon recognizes the plastic crisis affecting our oceans and they are working to reduce the impact of these negative environmental statistics.
- Over 300 million tons of plastic are produced every year.
- 50% of all plastic is single-use, but will remain on the planet for hundreds of years.
- 2.5 million tons of CO2 is released into the atmosphere annually.
- 38 billion water bottles end up in U.S. landfills every year.
- Nine million tons of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year.
- By 2050, researchers estimate that there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans.
Dragon Uses a 3-Step Process to Make their Eco-friendly Glasses
Here’s how Dragon turns five unwanted water bottles into a stylish, durable and eco-friendly pair of glasses frames.
- Plastic waste is collected, separated by hand and chosen to be upcycled in a pair of glasses.
- Plastic water bottles are separated, washed and cut into small chips that can be transformed into something new.
- Plastic chips are pressed into pellets, melted down and turned into a brand new pair of recycled glasses.
There are many options out there to help reduce your footprint while still maintaining clear and healthy vision. Make glasses even more eco-friendly by donating old prescriptions and purchasing frames made sustainably from recycled materials. The switch to eco-friendly eyewear can be easy, stylish and fit your active lifestyle!
Want a Pair of Eco-friendly Glasses?
Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
