Your guide to sustainable sunglasses
What are sustainable sunglasses?
Eco-friendly materials such as recycled plastic and aluminum, wood and biodegradable acetate, which is naturally derived from cotton seeds and wood pulp, are used to make sustainable sunglasses. Companies producing these sunglasses use materials and processes that have a lower environmental impact.
Top eco-friendly sunglasses brands
If eco-friendly and sustainable products are important to you, you can feel good buying your next pair of sunglasses from any of the following brands.
Costa Del Mar
Costa Del Mar’s Untangled collection includes nine eco-friendly sunglasses styles that are made of 97% to 100% recycled fishing nets. Frames and polarized lenses are available in a variety of colors, depending on the style, and are available as prescription sunglasses.
Prices for the Untangled collection start at $229.
Other key features:
100% UV protection
Green shipping through companies that use sustainable solutions to reduce climate impact
Costa partners with Bureo, a company that collects discarded fishing nets and recycles them into pellets, which Costa Del Mar uses to make sunglasses frames.
MITA Eyewear
Each pair of MITA sunglasses with plastic frames is made from five FDA-approved recycled plastic bottles. There are more than 30 styles of recycled sunglasses made from plastic or recycled aluminum. Each frame is available in three or more colors depending on the style.
Prices start at $139.
Other key features:
All eyewear, cleaning cloths and cases are made from recycled materials
100% UV protection
Mita is located in Miami, and 2% of the company’s profits go to the philanthropic organization of the customer’s choice — PurelyBlu or Clean Miami Beach.
Pala Eyewear
Pala Eyewear’s sunglasses are handmade in Italy from plant-based bio-acetate. Frames come in a variety of shapes and colors, and polarized and non-polarized lenses are available.
Other key features:
100% UV protection
Vegan friendly
Prices start at $113.
For every pair of sunglasses sold, Pala Eyewear provides grants directly to vision centers, dispensaries and screening and training programs in Africa through its charity partner Vision Action.
Pela Case
Pela Case makes its eco-friendly sunglasses from recycled material, such as smartphone cases and ocean plastic. Frame shapes include round, cat-eye, rectangle, square and oval in both plastic and metal. Sunglasses are manufactured with 33% less CO2e emissions, 34% less water usage and 82% less waste when compared to typical sunglasses.
Prices start at $65.
Other key features:
100% UV protection
The 360 Program takes old glasses and upcycles, recycles, composts and disposes of them properly
Pela Case donates a percentage of every sale to ocean cleanup and preservation initiatives.
Proof Eyewear
Proof Eyewear’s BPA-free sunglasses are made by hand from sustainable materials, including sustainably-sourced wood, biodegradable cotton-based acetate and recycled aluminum. Polarized and anti-reflective lenses are available in several colors.
Prices start at $85.
Other key features:
Most sunglasses lenses provide 100% UV protection
Frames are treated to protect them from the elements and natural wear and tear
To support the company’s Do Good philanthropic program, a small portion of each sale and $10 from every wooden frame is put toward health, vision, education, environmental and empowerment projects that benefit people around the world.
SOLO Eyewear
SOLO Eyewear makes its eco-friendly sunglasses with repurposed wood, bamboo, cellulose acetate and recycled plastic. You can choose polarized lenses in a variety of colors, including rose pink, gray gradient, blue mirror and silver/gray.
Prices start at $59.
Other key features:
100% UV protection
Some frames can accommodate prescription lenses
SOLO donates 10% of its profits to fund eye exams, eyeglasses and cataract surgery for people in need around the world.
Sunski
All of Sunski’s plastic sunglasses frames are made from SuperLight, a material made from recycled post-industrial plastic that the company invented. This eco eyewear company offers five frame designs to choose from and each is available in multiple colors. Frames are styled with color-coordinated polarized lenses.
Prices start at $58.
Other key features:
100% UV protection in some lenses
Mirrored and non-mirrored lens options available
Sunski’s accessories and carry products are made from solution-dyed recycled polyester (RPET). Dyeing the thread before weaving reduces water waste and makes RPET one of the most sustainable textiles in the world.
Woodzee
Woodzee’s sustainable sunglasses are made from Italian biodegradable acetate or plant-based plastic. The company’s recycle program uses recycled materials for free repairs of qualifying sunglasses.
Prices for Woodzee sunglasses start at $100.
Other key features:
100% UV protection
Frames can accommodate prescription lenses
When you’re ready for new sunglasses, you can send your current pair to the company. If they meet certain criteria, you’ll get a 50% off coupon for new Woodzee brand sunglasses.
Wear Panda
Wear Panda’s eco-friendly sunglasses are made by hand from sustainably sourced bamboo that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Frames are available in multiple colors, including natural, black and brown. And they are styled with color-coordinated polarized lenses. The company uses no-harm beeswax to make the sunglasses waterproof.
Other key features:
100% UV protection
The sunglasses float
Prices start at $189.
A portion of the sale of every product is donated to charities to help those in need. For example, Wear Panda has helped Optometry Giving Sight provide vision screenings for nearly four million people.
Zeal Optics
Zeal Optics’ eco sunglasses frames are made from Z-Resin, a proprietary plant-based material. They feature Ellume Polarized Lenses, which the company states are the world's first lens made using a plant-based bonding agent. There are 64 styles to choose from and many are available in more than one frame and lens color.
Prices start at $159.
Other key features:
100% UV protection
Almost every frame is prescription ready
Zeal Optics participates in projects and partnerships that reduce the company’s environmental footprint and create social change.
How to choose
This wide variety of sustainable sunglasses brands can make it hard to pick a pair. You can narrow down your choices by looking for sunglasses that flatter your face shape:
Round – If your face is round, the width and length are about the same, and you have fuller cheeks. Square, rectangular, aviators and cat-eye frames look great on you.
Oval – If you have an oval-shaped face, it’s longer than it is wide. Your forehead may be wider than your chin, and you have a curved jawline. Try aviators, wayfarers, rectangular or cat-eye sunglasses.
Square – A square face is characterized by a broad forehead, strong jawline and balanced cheekbones. Round, oval and browline sunglasses are good choices for you.
Heart shaped – People with a heart-shaped face have a broader forehead, a narrow chin and high cheekbones. Browline, modified wayfarers and cat-eye sunglasses in light colors help balance out your forehead with the rest of your face.
Diamond – Do you have a diamond-shaped face? The answer is yes if your cheekbones are prominent and are the widest part of your face. Consider rectangular, oval, browline and cat-eye sunglasses.
Oblong – You have an oblong-shaped face if it’s about twice as long as it is wide and your forehead, cheekbones and jawline are proportional. Aviators, square and cat-eye sunglasses can add width to your face.
These are just some of the sustainable sunglasses brands that are available. With so many choices, you’re sure to find your perfect pair.
Page published on Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Page updated on Tuesday, August 1, 2023
