No sunglasses are yet zero-waste (even non-plastic frames have plastic lenses).If you’re by the sea, choose biodegradable brands reserving recycled plastic versions for driving and the garden (where they can’t drop off boats or fall down storm drains).
Waterhaul is a unique Cornish social enterprise that collects plastic waste (you’ve likely seen their plastic collection bags used by beach volunteers) then turns the waste into ‘new plastic’ to make eco-friendly sunglasses. Launder recycled plastic cleaning cloths in a microplastic catcher). Learn how to stay safe in the sun naturally (including for pets)
The range is available in several styles (including sports sunglasses), offering UVA/UVB 400 protection plus scratch resistance. Some are a little lighter, all made in Italy. Just choose the best fit for your face shape. The sunglasses feature barrel hinges for durability, and are sold with a free magnetic flat-fold cork case for protection. Many feature subtle flecks due to their original use, and there is a lasered logo on each arm.
how to choose a pair of sustainable sunglasses
Only around 25% of all sunglasses sold actually protect the eyes. Most are sold as cheap fashion accessories. But you only have one pair of eyes, so invest in a quality product that offers proper protection from the sun’s rays. The American Academy of Opthalmology has the following advice:
Look for sunglasses with UV400 for 100% protection against both UVA and UVB rays (this protects your cornea and lens, to hep prevent cataracts and macular degeneration). You can also buy prescription and polarised lenses (protect eyes after surgery and from glare when driving, sailing, golfing). Category 4 are for specialist wear (not driving, as the lenses are too dark to see properly).
Choose wraparound sunglasses to help protect skin at the side of the eyes (to help prevent skin cancer and crow’s feet!) Eye experts also say that it’s equally important to protect children’s eyes from the sun.
do sunglasses protect eyes on tanning beds?
No. Tanning beds produce UV levels up to 100 times more than the sun, and can seriously damage eyes and eyelids. Ideally avoid tanning beds altogether. If you use them, wear goggles specifically for that purpose, ensuring they cover eyelids completely to prevent burns.
other ways to protect your eyes from sun
The best ways to protect your eyes from the sun are to stay in shady places, avoid the hottest rays (usually from 10am to 2pm) and wear a floppy hat. If you like soaking up the sun in the garden, invest in a parasol!
why don’t other cultures wear sunglasses?
You may think that sunglasses are a modern invention, but were invented over 2000 years ago (made from wood, to protect people from snow blindness in Arctic countries). In China, judges would also wear them to emotionally detach from the case!
So how come many cultures abroad (Africa, Middle East) don’t need sunglasses, especially nomads and tribes? Inuit tribes in Canada and Greenland are known for their good eyesight, but the designer shade companies have never persuaded them to buy their sunglasses! That’s because in fact, a healthy dose of sunlight is good for our eyes (people who used to work down mines often went blind).
If you wear sunglasses all the time (we’re talking to you, Bono!) this could risk not being able to see properly, without them as your eyes get used to darkness. Just like the rest of your body, your eyes have muscles and need to be used, to keep them in good condition. So do spend time in natural light, but don’t stare are the sun (just like your mother likely told you not to – she was right!) Tribes tend to live their lives, and not bake on a towel staring up at the sun, like western tourists.
Nature adapts. In some areas of northern Scandinavia, it’s dark 24 hours a day in winter. So some people have developed ‘reindeer vision’ where they can see in the dark. Some people have been known also to get vitamin D deficiency, where they babble nonsense continuously. Sounds like some of our MPs!
And the old adage that ‘people in Africa don’t need sunglasses’ is not entirely true. World Health Organisation estimates that of the 65 million people who suffer cataracts (often leading to blindness), around 20% are caused by over-exposure to UV rays from the sun. Mostly in areas where people don’t have enough money for food, let alone sunglasses. This makes it even more important to create sustainable protection, without use of single-use plastic.
