7 Best Eco-Friendly Sunglasses Materials in 2025
Looking for sustainable sunglasses? By 2025, brands are using materials like bamboo, recycled plastics, and bio-acetate to create stylish, eco-friendly eyewear. These materials reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and offer durable and lightweight options. Here’s a quick look at the best materials:
- Bamboo: Grows fast, absorbs CO₂, and is lightweight.
- Recycled Plastic: Made from bottles and nets; reduces waste and emissions.
- Bio-Acetate: Plant-based, biodegradable, and hypoallergenic.
- Cork: Lightweight, water-resistant, and renewable.
- Reclaimed Wood: Unique, durable, and energy-efficient.
- Castor Oil Bioplastic: Plant-based, flexible, and saltwater-resistant.
- Recycled Metal: Strong, durable, and energy-saving.
Sunglasses made from these materials not only look great but also help the planet. Keep reading to find out how each material works and why it’s a smart choice for your next pair of shades.
Reduce Plastic Waste: Swell Vision Bamboo Sunglasses
1. Bamboo
Bamboo is a standout material, blending eco-friendliness with practical use. This plant grows incredibly fast - up to 35 inches per day - making it a low-impact option for production cycles.
Its cultivation has impressive environmental perks. For instance, one hectare of bamboo can absorb 2.03 metric tons of carbon each year and takes in up to five times more CO₂ than pine trees. These features make it a great pick for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint.
| Feature | Advantage of Bamboo |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed | Matures in 3–5 years, unlike hardwoods that take decades |
| Water Use | Needs far less water compared to cotton |
| Chemical Use | Grows without pesticides or fertilizers |
| Carbon Absorption | Absorbs 5× more CO₂ than pine trees |
| Soil Tolerance | Thrives in poor or degraded soils |
When it comes to sunglasses, bamboo frames are both strong and lightweight. Thanks to its lignin-carbohydrate complex (LCC), bamboo offers durability while staying easy to wear. However, occasional care, like oil or wax treatments, may be needed to maintain its quality.
Rare Moves sells bamboo sunglasses starting at $29.99, featuring collections such as Nature Fusion and Classic.
Another plus? Bamboo regrows from the same stem after being harvested, further boosting its eco-friendly credentials. While manufacturing limitations often result in wayfarer-style frames, bamboo’s natural look and sustainability make it a favorite among environmentally conscious shoppers.
2. Recycled Plastic
Recycled plastic is giving discarded waste a second life by turning it into products like sunglasses. With humans producing up to 350 million metric tons of plastic waste each year, this approach not only reduces waste but also promotes eco-conscious design.
Recycled plastic offers a major environmental advantage: it generates 70% fewer carbon emissions compared to virgin plastic and avoids the 500-year decomposition timeline of traditional plastics. Retailers are stepping up to meet this challenge. For example, Eyebuydirect’s "5 To See" collection uses five recycled plastic bottles to create each frame, all while incorporating eco-friendly packaging.
| Recycled Plastic Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Material Source | Plastic bottles, fishing nets |
| Environmental Impact | 70% lower carbon emissions than virgin plastic |
| Durability | Scratch-resistant, UV-protective |
| Production Output | 5 bottles = 1 frame |
| Additional Uses | 2 bottles = glasses case, 1 bottle = cleaning cloth |
These frames aren’t just good for the planet - they’re built to perform. Companies like ARKEMA, SOLVAY, and EASTMAN are transforming waste into frames that are BPA-free, provide excellent UV resistance, and maintain high clarity.
"Real green fashion starts at the source. This means that rather than just taking on green initiatives across its manufacturing, shipping, and marketing processes, the core materials must align with sustainable practices." – Eastman Research
Retailers are also finding creative ways to expand recycled plastic’s potential. Walmart’s Karün eyewear line turns discarded fishing nets into premium frames. Meanwhile, Oceanness has teamed up with IBM and Plastic Bank to implement a blockchain-verified system. For every pair sold, they remove the equivalent of 100 plastic bottles from coastal areas in Haiti and the Philippines.
There are a few challenges, though. Recycled plastic can be more expensive than virgin plastic, and its sensitivity to high temperatures limits color options during manufacturing. Still, these drawbacks are minor compared to the material’s durability and environmental perks - especially given that only 10% of all plastic waste is currently recycled.
3. Bio-Acetate
Bio-acetate is changing the game in eyewear by offering an eco-conscious alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Made from renewable resources like wood pulp and cotton fibers, this material delivers the same durability and flexibility as traditional acetate but with a smaller environmental footprint.
| Feature | Bio-Acetate | Standard Acetate |
|---|---|---|
| Source Material | Plant-based (wood pulp, cotton) | Petroleum-based |
| Bio-content | ~65% | ~40% |
| Plasticizers | Natural, plant-based | Synthetic, oil-based |
| Biodegradability | Yes | No |
| Carbon Emissions | Lower impact | Higher footprint |
Bio-acetate’s composition eliminates harmful phthalates and cuts carbon emissions by 54% - a clear advantage showcased in Pala frames made with this material. First introduced in 2010 by Mazzucchelli as M49 bio-acetate, it consists of 68% plant-based ingredients. This innovation quickly gained traction, with brands like Stella McCartney using it in eco-conscious collections. A 2021 study by EssilorLuxottica and Mazzucchelli highlighted bio-acetate’s better environmental performance.
"Bio acetate on the other hand is produced using renewable resources, such as cellulose from wood pulp and cotton. It maintains all of the qualities of standard acetate, being a material that is flexible and durable, which is also ideal for sunglasses and optical frames. It is definitely the more environmentally friendly choice, as it is biodegradable." - AM Eyewear
Beyond being better for the planet, bio-acetate is hypoallergenic, making it a great option for people with sensitive skin. Leading brands like Ray-Ban, Hugo Boss, and Oscar Wylee now feature bio-acetate frames in a variety of styles, from timeless aviators to modern transparent designs.
The production process also offers big improvements. For example, MR-174, an early biomaterial used in eyewear lenses, generates 326 kg less carbon emissions per 100 kg of resin compared to oil-based alternatives. With its reduced carbon footprint and biodegradability, bio-acetate is paving the way for the future of sustainable eyewear.
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4. Cork
Cork is an eco-friendly material gaining popularity in sunglasses frames, offering a mix of sustainability and functionality. Sourced primarily from Portugal, cork comes from the bark of cork oak trees, which can be harvested every 10 years without damaging the tree itself. Thanks to its renewable and biodegradable nature, cork helps lower the environmental impact of eyewear production.
| Property | Benefit for Sunglasses |
|---|---|
| Weight | Extremely lightweight |
| Water Resistance | Naturally repels water due to its Ceroides content |
| Durability | Compresses 15–20% under pressure without permanent damage |
| Maintenance | Resistant to stains, mold, and mildew |
| Allergies | Hypoallergenic, suitable for sensitive skin |
Cork's natural makeup, which includes compounds like Lignin and Ceroides, gives it impressive water resistance. This means your sunglasses can handle humid weather or light rain without issue. Additionally, cork's ability to compress under pressure while returning to its original shape makes it a durable and comfortable choice for frames.
"Cork is resilient, lightweight, natural, breathable material that is hypoallergenic and has a high friction resistance. It's also 100% renewable, natural and vegan. And it floats."
– Ballo Eyewear
The growing use of cork reflects a shift toward eco-conscious designs in the eyewear industry. As HowCork puts it: "Cork is a material for the future, and the momentum is just picking up. Cork, with its unique patterns, soft texture, and water resistance, is gaining global recognition".
5. Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood offers a stylish and eco-friendly option for sunglasses frames by repurposing wood from old structures. This not only cuts down on waste but also makes eyewear production more energy-efficient.
Using reclaimed wood requires 11–13 times less energy compared to new lumber and helps prevent methane emissions from decomposing wood in landfills .
| Characteristic | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Durability | Old-growth wood is denser and stronger, making frames more long-lasting |
| Stability | Better resistance to changes in humidity, reducing warping or swelling |
| Uniqueness | Each frame has one-of-a-kind grain patterns |
| Resource Savings | Less energy and materials needed compared to processing new wood |
Brands are already showcasing what reclaimed wood can do. Proof Eyewear, based in Idaho, crafts standout frames from reclaimed wood, including old skateboard decks. Woodzee takes a similar approach, combining skateboard wood with bamboo for their frames.
Frames made from this type of wood are not only stronger and denser but also naturally resistant to moisture and temperature changes, ensuring they last longer . Plus, they’re hypoallergenic and lightweight, making them comfortable and practical to wear .
6. Castor Oil Bioplastic
Castor oil bioplastic offers a plant-based alternative to petroleum-based plastics, made from castor beans cultivated on less fertile Indian soil.
The extraction process yields 45% oil and 55% castor cake, the latter serving as a natural fertilizer. This approach reduces waste, helps prevent deforestation, and maintains a low carbon footprint.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Composition | Contains at least 44% biomass |
| Weight | Lighter than traditional plastics |
| Flexibility | Improved frame flexibility |
| Environmental Impact | Lower carbon emissions |
| Durability | Resistant to salt water and wear |
Marchon incorporates castor oil bioplastic into eyewear frames, ensuring at least 44% biomass content.
"I literally torture-tested that frame... I thought the moment I stepped into the sea and salt water with that frame it's going to dissolve. I actually left it overnight in a bucket of salt water. And you know what? I still have that frame, and it's still as good as new."
- Thomas Burkhardt, Marchon President
De Rigo took it a step further by creating biodegradable lenses with roughly 40% castor content, which Mulberry used in their Penelope and Belgrave collections in 2021.
Another brand produced frames with 62% castor oil–derived material using Rilsan® Clear G820 Rnew®, offering better comfort and durability.
One eyewear company now manufactures 25% of its frames from recycled and bio-based materials, with plans to increase that to 35% this year.
7. Recycled Metal
Recycled metal frames offer a strong and eco-conscious option in the eyewear industry. Brands like Dick Moby use waste from other eyewear production processes, repurposing surgical-grade stainless steel scraps to create new frames.
Environmental Benefits
Recycling metals significantly reduces resource consumption and environmental impact:
- Energy Use: Aluminum recycling cuts energy usage by 95%, while CO₂ emissions drop by 97%.
- Water Consumption: 40% less water is used compared to producing virgin materials.
- Mining Waste: Reduced by 97%.
- Consumer Waste: Reduced by 105% (data from).
Eco Eyewear's frames, made from 95% recycled stainless steel, are UL Environment Validation™ certified. These frames deliver high quality while using fewer resources.
"Compared to sunglasses made from virgin materials, recycled metal sunglasses are a more sustainable option. Studies have shown using metals already in existence has a much lower carbon footprint and also leads to less water and energy consumption when compared to using metals taken from the earth."
Durability and Design
Metal frames are known for their durability, withstanding damage like being sat on. They’re lightweight and feature adjustable nose pads for a comfortable, customized fit. Common metals used include aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium. The recycling process involves cleaning and sorting scrap metal, purifying it, and molding it into new frames. This method not only maintains structural strength but also creates unique textures and finishes that elevate the design.
Recycling one ton of aluminum saves nine tons of CO₂ emissions and four tons of bauxite. Similarly, recycling steel reduces energy use by 75% and saves 90% of virgin material consumption.
These advancements in recycled metal eyewear highlight the growing focus on environmentally friendly fashion, paving the way for sustainable trends in the years ahead.
Conclusion
Sunglasses made with eco-conscious materials are changing the landscape of eyewear. With the global eyewear market projected to hit $206.1 billion by 2032, it's clear that sustainable options play a key role in reducing waste and pollution.
Take these examples: Sea2see recycles an impressive 240,000 kg of marine plastic every year, while Joplins plants three trees for every purchase. These efforts show how brands are stepping up, and they can help you make smarter buying decisions.
When shopping for eco-friendly sunglasses, keep an eye out for these certifications:
- FSC certification for responsibly sourced wooden frames
- GRS certification for recycled materials
- Ensure bio-acetate frames are phthalate-free
These certifications ensure both quality and a reduced environmental footprint. For instance, wooden frames require far less energy to produce compared to conventional materials, and bio-acetate frames break down more easily.
Transparency from brands is also a big deal. Companies like Zeal Optics stand out by using plant-based materials like Z-Resin and supporting environmental causes through donations. This level of openness helps you make informed choices.