In the United Kingdom, Optometry Today has covered the growing trend of sustainable eyewear, including the increased use of materials based on renewable feedstocks.
The list of early adopters includes Neubau Eyewear, an Australian brand that uses its own cellulose-based material naturalPX in its frames. The company also uses eco-friendly packaging and marketing materials and includes cleaning cloths produced from recycled bottles with purchases.
Dick Moby, a Netherlands company, boasts zero-oil content in its eyewear. The company uses biobased acetate and wood pulp in its frames, which biodegrade in 115 days if left in the environment.
Meanwhile, Pala uses recycled acetate and factory offcut waste, and sends proceeds to vision restoration efforts in Africa.