Top 3 Reasons Why You Need to Start Wearing Sustainable Sunglasses
Three years ago, an estimated eighteen trillion pounds of plastic were produced globally. And every year, a staggering eighteen billion pounds of plastic flow into the ocean. According to Dr. Jenna R. Jambeck from the University of Georgia, that’s the equivalent of five grocery bags of plastic trash sitting on every foot of coastline around the world. Can you imagine that?
But fortunately, several companies - big or small - all over the world have taken the initiative to help reduce plastic waste in our oceans. The past few years have seen the rise of products that are centered around sustainability and eco-friendliness, with eyewear being one of them.
If you haven’t thought of wearing one, maybe now is the time to consider. Here, we give you the top 3 reasons why it’s high time to give sustainable sunglasses a thought.
Reasons to Wear Sustainable Sunglasses
1. You are supporting the maker’s advocacy
As the world is on a mission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, more and more companies are searching for ingenious ways to offer sustainable and eco-friendly consumer products to their customers.
From clothes made of ocean plastic to utensils made from compostable materials, the makers of such products are becoming more serious than ever when it comes to taking their stance on protecting the planet. The eyewear industry is no different.
Here at Kroop’s, it has always been a part of our effort to help reduce plastic pollution. We have experimented with melting down materials from recycled plastic to turn them into sunglasses. This is one of the projects that we’re actively working on, and we are hoping to do limited edition runs using those recycled materials in the future.
Kroop's Sunglasses Made with Recycled Plastics
The more you support projects like this, the more you encourage makers - not just us - to widen and continue their efforts in coming up with new products that are geared towards sustainability and eco-friendliness.
2. You are buying a high-quality product that will last
It’s very rare that you will find eco-friendly products that are made of cheap and low-quality materials. And when it comes to price, you might notice that sustainable products significantly cost more than their non-sustainable counterparts. This is because products that are sustainable and eco-friendly are manufactured with reusability in mind, thus increasing the overall production cost.
The same principle applies to sunglasses. Sure, you can probably get a pair for a really cheap price. The question is: how long will it last? When you choose to buy sustainable sunglasses, you’ll get a pair that will last you for many years so you won’t have to replace your sunglasses frequently.
You are not only being financially-wise, but you are also doing your part in saving the planet.
3. You are supporting ethical labor practice
With a huge demand for a product comes the need for more labor. Often, these laborers will experience unsanitary working conditions, unreasonable long hours for low wages, and hostile working environments while the owners of these factories will gain enormous profits.
In contrast, companies who are huge proponents of fair labor practices might not be able to produce as many products as mass production companies can, but they are prioritizing the well-being of their employees instead. This entails fair wages, reasonable working hours, and safe working conditions.
Companies that make sustainable and eco-friendly products are also big advocates of sustainable employment. For instance, our sunglasses are not created for the sake of selling something. Each pair of sunglasses we produce were built with a purpose while taking our employees into consideration.
Our Top Picks
Want to get a pair of sustainable sunglasses? From polarized to photochromic sunglasses, we’ve rounded up a list of our top picks ranging from different styles, colors, and profiles.
1. GLACIAL ASCENT
We can’t talk about sustainable glasses without talking about Glacial Ascent. The silver lens mirror perfectly accentuates the trans blue bioplastic frames. Whether you’re running a quick errand outside or you’re looking to shield your eyes from the sun, you’ll definitely be making a statement with these.
2. CHEATING DEATH
Here’s a pair that will remind you of speed, adrenaline, and non-stop action. Cheating Death’s black bioplastic frame is accented with a red-orange lens mirror. The polarized lenses make these sunglasses ideal for doing water-related activities and if you’re planning to stay outdoors for long periods of time.
3. INCLEMENT WEATHER
Time to swap your typical black frames for a white and amber combo. Inclement Weather features photochromic lenses that are perfect if you’re the type who interchangeably spend time outdoors and indoors.
4. TOTAL BLACKOUT
Looking for something more low-profile? You will like the black frame and grey accent color of Total Blackout. These lightweight sunglasses are scratch-resistant and shatterproof so they’ll last for many years without you having to buy a new pair frequently. Less waste. More money saved.
What are bioplastics?
Different makers use different materials to produce eco-friendly sunglasses. Here at Kroop’s, some of our sunglasses are created using bioplastic frames to ensure durability but still keep their lightweight profiles. But what are bioplastics, exactly?
By definition, bioplastics are a type of plastic that can be made from natural resources like vegetable oils and starches. As these are plant-based products, we will see a significant decrease in the consumption of petroleum for plastic production by 2025.
Final Thoughts
The alarming number of plastic waste found in our oceans every year is inextricably linked to global warming. As plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, it creates greenhouse gas emissions that directly contribute to climate change.
Plastic products, especially those that were created using petroleum, clogging our landfills and oceans pose serious threats that could endanger all forms of life as we know it. As the clock ticks, manufacturers, organizations, and even individuals are scrambling to find ways to combat this growing problem.
When you choose sustainable products - especially sunglasses - you are not only playing a role in helping to protect the environment, but you are also encouraging makers to focus and invest in more projects that are focused on creating a big impact on the environment.
The only question that you need to ask yourself is: are you ready to make the big change?