
Every day around us tons of plastic is thrown away. And although we are used to it, nature feels it. And very soon it will affect our children as well.
Според проучвания модната индустрия е отговорна за над 20% от отпадните води.
and for 10% of carbon dioxide emissions in the world. And this is many times more than the harmful emissions from international flights.
Did you know that it takes about 6,000 liters of water to produce a pair of jeans? That's why some designers use cotton from second-hand clothes instead of growing new.
Plastic is all around us, in grocery bags, in car interiors, and in every home.
It is found in more than 10,000 varieties, and the annual production exceeds 260 million tons.
All this amount becomes waste, which can be incinerated or recycled.
Recycling plastic allows it to be reused, limiting the depletion of natural resources such as coal, oil and gas.
The same products cannot be made from the processed material. For example, plastic bottles can be turned into new clean sunglasses or prescription frames.
The composition and structure of plastics is different, so their processing is also specific.
But it all starts with proper sorting. This greatly increases the chance of the plastic being turned into something new, avoiding pollution.
About 90% of recycled plastic in the world belongs to the group of thermoplastics.
What kind of plastic are the glasses made of?
For acetate glasses, HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) and LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) are the most common, and luckily for us they are recyclable.
More and more companies are also paying attention to the packaging they use to transport the glasses. In some cases, they are also recyclable or made from already recycled plastic.
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene)
This material is tasteless, non-toxic with a softening point around 130°C. Its hardness, tensile strength and ductility are better than those of LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene).
This is exactly the reason why more massive plastic glasses are made of this material.
HDPE is resistant to acid corrosion, cold resistant and has a good chemical structure.
The disadvantages lie in poor resistance to aging, susceptibility to environmental influences and the ease with which they can be scratched.
Therefore, often after a short use, light scratches appear on the frames of the glasses.
The specific gravity of HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) is less than that of water.
LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene)
It is the first developed polyethylene known for its flexibility, durability and heat resistance.
A large part of the lightweight sports models are made of this material. This is exactly why they are suitable for intensive use without feeling their weight on your face. They would also take a bit of abuse without deforming them.
LDPE can be dyed, which further makes it a desirable material for fashion accessory designers. Plastic glasses are becoming more colorful, colorful and non-standard. And while harmful to the environment if not recycled, they are increasingly found in optical stores.
The material has excellent transparency, cold resistance (up to -70°C) and can withstand salt water solutions.
The lenses of prescription and sunglasses are also made of plastic materials. They are one of the most common polycarbonate, trivex and CR39.
Worldwide, there are many companies that manufacture glasses from recycled materials. Mostly collected from the oceans.
Companies that make glasses from recycled materials
Luckily for us, more and more fashion eyewear companies are turning to making eyewear from recycled plastics, and more.
Proof eyewear
The brand produces glasses worn by Beyonce and Lil Wayne. The models are made from wood materials, biodegradable plant-based acetate (made from cotton) and recycled aluminum.
The company was established in 2010. of three brothers. Very quickly, the business goes from a garage to a large-scale one.
In 2021, Proof takes an initiative to plant 5 trees for every frame.
Glasses range in price from $50 to $180.
Genusee
Genusee is an example of a sustainable design brand that takes its environmental impact to heart. Created in Detroit with manufacturing in Flint, Michigan, Genusee makes its fun and funky frames from recycled plastic bottles. The projects not only help the planet, but also provide jobs for the citizens of Flint.
Frame prices are around $100.
Mita
MITA Eyewear is not just a brand - it's a community of conscious minded people just like you who have taken an interest in pollution.
Mita brings to life both the fashion sense of Miami and the craftsmanship and artistry of Italy, using the highest quality and sustainable materials.
They recycle 5 plastic bottles to produce one pair of sunglasses, two for the case and 1 to make a cleaning cloth.
The price of the frames is about $120.
SEA2SEE
The company is based in Spain and collaborates with fishermen in 27 ports in Spain and 10 coastal communities in Ghana to collect discarded plastic waste from the ocean. This includes fishing nets, ropes and bottles, which it then reprocesses and turns into a gorgeous line of eyewear. Their manufacturing base is in Italy. To date Sea2See have recycled 351 tonnes of plastic, which is an outstanding achievement.
The price of the glasses varies between $140- $170.
There are also world famous brands like O'neill, Ray-Ban, Azzaro and others who have also created collections and accessories from recycled materials.
Others rely only on biodegradable materials and approach the production of glasses responsibly. Examples are ROLF Spectacles.
There are no companies in Bulgaria that offer to buy glasses to be recycled, but you can be responsible by disposing of your old glasses in the appropriate plastic waste container. It is necessary to disassemble your glasses beforehand and remove the metal particles on the the hinge connections. This is easily done with minimal technical knowledge and a watch screwdriver.
But even if you don't, you increase the chance that your outdated plastic glasses will be recycled.