The Best Sustainable Sunglasses

I don’t know about you, but I’m so relieved we got through winter! Finally, the hot sun is out, and I’m ready to get together with friends and family for cookouts, pool hangs, and days at the beach.

I admit I’m terrible at keeping track of my sunglasses, so I try to have a couple of pairs on hand. Luckily, several brands make sunnies that are not only eco-friendly and durable but are super cute, too. So if you’re in the market for new sustainable sunglasses this year, check out my recommendations below.

What to Look for when shopping Eco-Friendly Sunglasses

Recycled Plastic: Up until a few years ago, it was almost impossible to find sunglasses made from recycled plastic. Not anymore! Several of the brands below use plastic from discarded bottles and fishing nets to create their frames.

FSC-Certified and/or Reclaimed Wood: There are a lot of wooden sunglasses available out there, but just because it’s a natural material doesn’t mean it’s eco-friendly. Be sure to purchase sunglasses made from reclaimed/upcycled wood or carry the “FSC-Certified” label, which means the wood was sourced from a sustainably-managed forest.

Plant-Based Plastic Alternatives: You’ll see the term “acetate” on some eco-friendly sunglasses. But what exactly is it? Acetate is plant-based cellulose that often comes from trees (though it can come from other plants, like cotton). The verdict is still out on just how sustainable acetate actually is. It likely depends on where it’s made and the processes used to transform the plant fibers into a plastic-like material. But at the end of the day, it’s still a better option than virgin plastic.

Our Top Picks for Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Sunglasses:

1) MITA

Price | $139+

MITA starts with five water bottles and transforms them into a pair of wearable, high-quality, lightweight, and super cute eyewear. Their cleaning cloths and cases are made from recycled materials, too. The MITA community works with a few different non-profit organizations to help clean up and protect our oceans and waterways.

In addition to their sustainable sunglasses, MITA also carries prescription eyeglasses and blue light blocking recycled glasses as well. And I loved their virtual try-on feature—it really helped me choose which one to get!

Shop MITA

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[ Related: Where to Find Sustainable Eyeglasses ]

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2) Proof Eyewear

Price | $65-180

Another great eyewear company, Proof, Eyewear is based out of Boise, Idaho. They started with wooden frames and have since expanded to designs that use recycled aluminum and acetate (made from cotton). You can also send back your old frames with their recycling program. Plus, with your help, they have donated over 1,200 pairs of glasses, planted 200 trees, given almost 6,00 health & vision screenings and 240 cataract surgeries!

Shop Proof

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3) SeaClean

Price | $98

I really like what this line of eyeglasses is all about. Frames from SeaClean by GlassesUSA are made entirely from up-cycled plastic bottles. It only takes five bottles to create a pair of sunglasses. Plus, for every SeaClean pair sold they will donate $5 to The Ocean Cleanup to help them in their efforts towards a plastic-free ocean by 2050. There are only two frame styles at the moment, but I’m sure we will see more in the future.

Shop SeaClean

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4) Pala Eyewear

Price | $120-204

As a certified B Corp, Pala is committed to making a positive impact with their business.

They provide eye care for communities around the globe, use recycled plastic for their cases, and offset their carbon emissions.

Most of their ethically-made sunnies are made from acetate, which they say is biodegradable.

Shop PALA

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5) Genusee

Price | $99+

Genusee offers non-prescription and prescription sunglasses that are 100% UVA/UVB protective.

All sunglasses are made in Flint, Michigan from 15 single-use water bottles and designed for the circular economy.

In honor of the Flint Water Crisis 1% of net profits are being donated to the Community Fund of Greater Flint.

Shop Genusee

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6) Sunski

Price | $58-98

You may have heard of this brand before since they are carried in several stores around the US - and for good reason. Sunski makes an excellent affordable pair of incredibly lightweight sunglasses made from recycled plastic resin. They also use plastic-free packaging, give to 1% to the Planet and are climate neutral. You can choose from many different styles and colors - plus, they have options for kids!

Shop Sunski

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7) Zeal Optics

Price | $99-229

If you are an outdoor enthusiast, Zeal Optics will be your new favorite sunglass brand. Their plant-based sunglasses are built for the outdoors, and they even have a vast collection of goggles for snow adventures. The high-purity lens offers crisper & clearer vision all while reducing environmental impact - and they offer prescription lenses!

Shop Zeal optics

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8) Warby Parker

Price | $95+

I’m going to be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of the business model from Warby Parker (very similar to Toms where they give and give, but don’t produce jobs), & I know several people within the sustainability field are not keen on it, either. However, I still think it’s worth mentioning because no one is perfect, & it’s a start. Their prices are also very accessible & they have stores where you can try things on. We have one here in Jacksonville, FL, and I think it makes shopping for a new pair of sunglasses SO much easier and stress-free.

  

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WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE BRANDS? VISIT OUR BRAND DIRECTORY!

Our Brand Directory is home to hundreds of sustainable brands, from makeup to cleaning supplies, from underwear to shoes. We have broken everything down by category for easy shopping, along with discount codes unique to Sustainably Chic viewers.

Shop Our Sustainable Brand Directory

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Content Creator: Natalie Kay Costello

Date: 2022-06-07T13:31:00+0000