Fashion often hides the real cost behind a glossy finish. Traditional sunglasses might look stylish, but their production leaves a hefty mark on the planet. From petroleum-based plastics to chemical-laden dyes and unsustainable packaging, each step can add to rising pollution and waste.
This has sparked a demand for eco-friendly eyewear, as people look for options that care for both style and the planet. Sustainable fashion isn’t just a trend, it’s become a mindful shift. When it comes to eye protection, eco-conscious buyers now expect their sunglasses to look good and do good.
If you’re a sustainable sailor, choose wooden sunglasses, in case they got lost in a way or dropped off your boat. Also read our post on sustainable spectacle frames.
Waterhaul (sunglasses from fishing waste)
But for garden pottering, Waterhaul is a good Cornish brand, which uses collected fishing waste to offer naturally-coloured sunglasses. Again you can send them back for recycling (although they are sold with lifetime guarantees).
Ideal for garden pottering, but they are still plastic, so don’t drop them overboard or lose them in a wave, as they will break down into microplastics.
Only buy sunglasses that offer 100% protection against UVA and UVB rays (tinted and polarised lenses may protect against glare). Wraparound styles are better to protect skin at the sides of your eyes (don’t wear sunglasses on your head as it stretches the frames, as your head is wider than your temples).
Never use tanning beds (UV levels are up to 100 times more powerful than the sun, and they can damage your eyes and eyelids, even with goggles).
For children, Nomad Eyewear and BioSunnies offer more sustainable brands.
Terracycle Eyewear Zero Waste Box is for communities or offices. Available in small or large sizes, once full, send off using the prepaid label where the plastic is recycled into industrial items. The box accepts spectacle frame, sunglasses, safety glasses, swim and ski goggles.
The True Cost of Conventional Sunglasses
Before picking your next pair off the shelf, it helps to look at what goes into standard sunglasses. Behind those shiny frames and tinted lenses are materials and processes that add up to more than just the price tag.
Materials and Carbon Footprint
Most traditional sunglasses start with petroleum-based plastics like acetate or polycarbonate. These materials rely on extracting crude oil, transporting it, then processing it into usable plastics. Some models swap plastic for metal alloys (mainly aluminium or nickel), but those still require mining, smelting and plenty of energy. Lenses come either as toughened glass or polycarbonate, each with its own impact.
Let’s break it down:
- Acetate and polycarbonate: Both are made from fossil fuels, with each step from oil extraction to final product burning through energy and creating CO2.
- Metals: Mining and refining metals pumps out greenhouse gases and large amounts of waste.
- Glass lenses: These require high temperatures for shaping, which equals more fossil fuel use.
- Finishing and assembly: Polishing, dyeing, and coating stages depend on heat and chemicals, further adding to the carbon footprint.
Globally, the eyewear industry produces millions of pairs of sunglasses each year. If you look at just plastic eyewear, the impact stacks up quickly. Estimates suggest the yearly CO2 emissions for the whole eyewear industry sit at around 3.7 million tonnes, much of it tied to these high-energy materials and methods.
Waste and Non-biodegradable Frames
Once sunglasses break, most land in the bin. Plastic frames, especially cheap polycarbonate or acetate types, take anywhere from hundreds to over a thousand years to break down in landfill. The small size and complex build of eyewear make them hard to recycle. Most recycling centres skip them entirely.
Here’s what tends to happen:
- Over 90% of plastic sunglasses are not recycled and end up in landfill or the environment.
- Microplastics from degraded frames reach waterways, harming sea life.
- Less than 1 in 10 eyewear brands offer any sort of take-back programme.
Sunglasses sit among the many ‘fast fashion’ accessories that fall apart in months, not years. The growing mountain of plastic doesn’t just look bad, it seeps into soil and water, breaking into smaller pieces that threaten animals for decades.
Health Impact of Skipping Shades
In many low-income regions, people go without sunglasses. For some, even the lowest-priced pairs feel out of reach or not seen as a must-have item. Others may avoid wearing them out of habit or cultural reasons.
Sunlight throws plenty of ultraviolet (UV) rays at unprotected eyes, raising long-term risks such as:
- Cataracts, a top reason for vision loss worldwide.
- Photokeratitis, often called sunburned eyes, causing pain and blurred vision.
- Increased chance of macular degeneration and eye cancers.
Skipping sunglasses isn’t just about fashion—it’s a health issue in many parts of the world. Children and outdoor workers are at higher risk, especially in places near the equator where sunlight is strongest. Without access to affordable, safe eyewear, people can face lifelong eye problems that affect their ability to see and work.
Thinking about your next pair of shades? Keep in mind what’s hidden behind that sticker price—it’s not just your wallet that pays.
how to Choose Sustainable Sunglasses
Longevity is the heart of sustainable buying. The longer a pair of sunglasses lasts, the less you spend and the less waste heads for landfill. Focus on frames that feel solid, won’t snap under pressure, and can be fixed if something goes wrong.
Here’s what to look for:
- Sturdy frames: Try to bend the arms lightly or press the bridge. They should stay firm without feeling brittle. Look for hinges made with metal, not just pressed plastic.
- Scratch-resistant coatings: These keep lenses clear and sharp longer. Brands should list it in the product features.
- Replaceable parts: Some frames let you swap out nose pads, screws, or lenses if they break.
When repairs are needed:
- DIY repair kits: Many eyewear shops and online retailers sell screwdrivers, replacement screws, and nose pads sized for most sunglasses.
- Professional help: Most opticians now offer repair services, from hinge adjustments to full lens swaps. Some sustainable brands partner with repair centres and send spare parts on request.
- Regular care: Clean lenses with a microfibre cloth and use pouches or hard cases when not in use. Avoid paper towels and rough fabric that can scratch coatings.
Keeping sunglasses in the best shape isn’t complicated. Clean them carefully and store them properly and you could double their usable life. If hinges loosen, a simple screwdriver tweak often saves the day.
End-of-Life Options
Even the toughest sunglasses eventually break. The end doesn’t have to mean landfill. Today, more brands and councils offer smarter ways to pass them on.
Here’s what to do when your shades have seen better days:
- Brand take-back schemes: Some brands welcome back old pairs for recycling or upcycling. They’ll pull apart the frames and lenses, reuse what they can, or turn waste into other goods.
- Local recycling points: Councils sometimes accept old eyewear at household waste sites or electronics bins (if they include metal parts). Call ahead or check the local recycling website for what’s accepted.
Top Tips:
- Remove lenses and metal parts before composting biodegradable frames.
- Never toss sunglasses in general recycling unless it’s allowed (most centres reject them).
- Look for donation bins at opticians or charity shops that collect for free sight projects.
Passing on or repurposing sunglasses feels satisfying and keeps harmful material out of landfill. Even the smallest swaps—like fixing a screw or sending your old pair back—keep the cycle going, just as it should.
Conclusion
Choosing sustainable sunglasses does more than cut down on waste and pollution. Each eco-friendly pair keeps plastics out of landfills and oceans, shrinks the industry’s carbon output, and gives new life to once-abandoned materials. You don’t have to trade in your style for the planet, either—modern green shades look sharp, feel comfortable, and let your voice show.
A few simple changes in what you buy and how you care for it really do add up. Picking sunglasses with lighter footprints backs brands that care and starts new habits for the future.
