As a global market estimated to be worth US$183.36 billion (~CA$263 billion) in 2023, eyewear is one of the industries with the most consequential environmental impact. While products like eyeglasses and sunglasses have longer life cycles than other items in the fashion sector, the use of plastic in the eyewear industry for manufacturing, packaging, and distribution can generate significant amounts of waste and raise the industry’s overall carbon footprint.
For instance, the global sustainability network Common Objective reports that up to 75% of cellulose acetate used by eyewear manufacturers is typically wasted. More than 4 million pairs of reading glasses in North America are thrown away each year, which equates to about 250 metric tons of non-biodegradable waste. This number is expected to increase throughout the years as more and more people need to correct vision problems associated with increased screen time.
Fortunately, the eyewear industry is exploring solutions through the ESG framework. Focusing on environmental, social, and governance reporting, a previous post explains that the framework enables companies to go beyond traditional financial metrics and instead assess their sustainability and ethical impact. By reevaluating environmental performance factors like resource consumption and waste management, eyewear brands and companies are increasingly revolutionizing industry practices toward sustainability.
Read on to learn more about key industry players investing in environmental sustainability not only to meet consumer and investor demands but, more importantly, to contribute to positive change.
Using bio-based materials
Considering common eyewear materials like acetate end up as plastic waste in landfills, there is a growing trend of mixing acetate with a different plasticizer to make eyewear biodegradable and reduce its overall environmental impact. Case in point: Top eyewear brand Ray-Ban released bio-based versions of its iconic models, like the square-shaped Wayfarer, the circular RB4441D, and the wire-rimmed Emy, as sustainable options for prescription sunglasses. Both frames and lenses feature bio-based nylon, which is composed of at least 40% biological content, to replace fossil-based materials with renewable sources like castor oil.
Innovating with recycled and renewed resins
Eyewear manufacturers have also begun recycling pre-consumer acetate waste and off-cuts from production to make high-performance plastic frames. A notable example is specialty materials manufacturer Eastman, which introduced molecular recycling technology to develop plastic substitutes like Acetate Renew, made of 40% certified recycled content and can be used for premium frames. Other materials in Eastman’s Renew series include Tenite Renew, which has 20% recycled content and can be used in other eyewear components like rims, temples, and temple endings.
Opting for eco-friendly packaging
More than eyewear itself, its packaging can also be a huge contributor to plastic waste through glasses cases and wrapping. However, Future Market Insights’ research on the eyewear packaging industry reveals that although the plastic segment holds the majority share (48%) in the US$252.4 million-worth ($CA 362 million) market, leading manufacturers like Honeywell International and Pyramex are meeting consumer demand to prioritize and shift toward recyclable and biodegradable packaging solutions. This shift has resulted in eco-friendly packaging options like matte leather cases, ethically sourced wooden cases, and cleaning cloths made of recycled plastic.
Providing diverse shipping options
Lastly, as the eyewear industry leverages e-commerce to reach more customers and grow its sales, it must also consider the carbon emissions from shipping and delivery. In this light, leading eyewear retailers like LensCrafters and Sunglasses Hut have begun offering in-store pickups, which allow customers to order glasses online and collect them at nearby store locations to eliminate the cost and environmental impact of shipping. Meanwhile, Eyebuydirect directly partners with logistic providers to provide green shipping and reduce climate impact.
While the eyewear industry has been taking these steps toward environmental sustainability, there remains work to be done in raising consumers’ awareness of these eco-friendly options and encouraging them to support brands and companies that champion recycled, renewable, and sustainable materials.
The post Eyeing Environmental Sustainability: How the Eyewear Industry Is Revolutionizing Its Practices appeared first on ESG | The Report.
