If you are a person that has been concerned with environmental health, and climate change then this article is just for you. There are a lot of initiatives that have been undertaken by various brands that benefit the environment.
What has been your take on it?
Well, the issue is being widely discussed at various platforms and forums and even at ground level, but the end result is nil. There is little or no change seen in the functioning or the result. But the current generation that is Gen Z is way more aware of the working effects of climate change and the ill effects associated with it. They have shifted to more environmentally friendly habits and that has led to various changes such as bringing the initiative of ditching plastic straws and switching to more paper friendly but that requires a huge investment, dedication, and support. The Zs has focused on bringing out something better with their knowledge about the environmental effects. They are also keen on avoiding anything that contains chemicals or that is not cruelty free making it a much-required move in the current environment.
The eyewear move
We all are much aware of the fact that the eyewear industry is among the contributors to plastic waste and how is that? In the eyewear industry, the majority of the glasses are made of plastic. Unknowingly we contribute by throwing away the waste glasses when not in use. But this has been changing with various awareness, many have been well aware of the positive changes and initiatives that are being carried out for making changes.
There are several brands that are keen on running campaigns to control their carbon footprint and even the plastic waste they create.
Ocean waves
Do you know 80% of ocean waste is plastic? Yes, this has been affecting and killing marine life for a long time and this has been. Recently a study showed that a good number has been found in human blood. These studies are absolutely scary and breathtaking when it comes to thinking about the lifestyle that lays ahead.
Many brands have understood the importance of a sudden and effective move and controlling waste. They have collected the plastic waste from the ocean, broken and processed them to make glasses out of it, that is recycled glasses. Apart from that, many have taken up the initiative to collect the fishing nets and break them into small pieces, processed and moulded into glasses. In this way, the eyewear industry has been contributing to controlling the plastic way and still, there is a long way to go.
The next initiative is collecting the used plastic glasses and giving them away as charity instead of throwing them away. This move helps in controlling two moves, one reducing the plastic waste from being thrown and the second giving glasses to someone needy.
There are various creative methods as well, one brand has come up with the idea of using discarded skateboards. These skateboards are made of wood, it is recycled, and are made into wooden glasses that are designer and funky in style.
These are a few initiatives that are appreciable still there is a long way to go before we could achieve the best for the planet.
The material used
Another big initiative used is the work of material, many brands have reduced their use of plastic for making glasses and shifted to other eco-friendly methods. Such as green plastic, wooden glasses, and more. Not just that there have been way changes with the packages, instead of plastic cases, many have been using the cloth one, a healthy alternative.
Here are a few materials that are being used instead of plastic glasses, altogether an eco-friendly option.
Acetate- For a better understanding let’s call them plant plastic, it is derived from the plant and is a much better and eco-friendly option when compared to synthetic plastic. The material is way stronger than the normal plastic and is available at the same cost as plastic and is in much favour of the environment, than the other.
Titanium- It is one of the strongest materials available and is eco-friendly and recyclable. They are extremely strong, durable, and flexible, so no matter how you bend them, they will regain their original form. Titanium has this one benefit of looking premium and glasses look extremely good and safe especially when it comes to rimless glasses.
Wood- Derived directly from nature, wood is one healthiest option to be opted for making glasses. Wooden frame glasses are extremely strong and another thing is that it straightaway carries the structure and design of the wood same to the glasses, which look extremely stylish. Wooden prescription glasses are nature itself so they are extremely eco-friendly and recyclable.