When it comes to sunnies, how do you make sure yours are sustainable? Well, it really comes down to what it’s made of.

Commercially, most sunglasses are made of cellulose acetate or nylon-based plastic. Acetate is often favoured for its hypoallergenic qualities and can easily shapeshift under high temperatures to create all kinds of designs. However, its low production cost yields pressing environmental concerns. Acetate-based eyewear is chemically intensive to make – with the process requiring acids and fossil-fuelled plasticisers – both of which are bio-hazards for humans and marine life. 

Later, an Italian acetate manufacturer Mazzucchelli introduced a biodegradable patented acetate sheet made with 68% plant-based materials to tackle sustainability, which could be recycled or discarded with less impact on the environment.

While not completely perfect, the newfound technology encourages the sunglasses sector to find better means of addressing waste management, while offering the possibility of a circular model through recycling and upcycling.

If you’re on the lookout for a sustainable pair of sunnies, here are eight unisex sunglasses styles that use bio-acetate from credible sources:

Stella McCartney – Bold Geometric Sunglasses

British designer Stella McCartney marries innovative materials with cutting-edge technologies to champion slow fashion. These shiny black frames are characterised by a bold, geometric silhouette with unique bevelled details. Echoing their green ethos, the eyewear collection uses bio-acetate frames and bio-based lenses.

Shop on stellamccartney.com

Burberry – Poppy Sunglasses

British luxury fashion powerhouse Burberry brings you a pair of trend-lend rectangular frames fashioned in stark white mounted on a transparent sheet of bio-acetate. The decorative details, including the feature of bold metal ‘B’ motif and detachable chunky eyewear chain, add an extra layer of playfulness.  

Shop on sunglasshut.com

Ace & Tate – Monty Sunglasses

Practical and stylish, these shades from Ace & Tate encapsulate the summer spirit with thin, round rims in a lustrous seashell-like treatment. Besides mentioning whether the eyewear is made from high-quality acetate or bio-acetate, the brand goes the extra mile by stating the precise carbon impact the product has.   

Shop on aceandtate.com

Arnette – Clayface Sunglasses

Shield sunglasses speak to the athlete at heart. Part sporty, part futuristic, these shades from Arnette feature a super wrapped body (ideal for an outdoor workout) with orange bio-lenses that won’t tamper with your daylight vision. 

Shop on arnette.com

RetroSuperFuture – Racey K-Way Sunglasses

Italian eyewear brand RetroSuperFuture revisits one of its iconic shapes, the Racer, through a cross-collaboration with K-Way, known for their functional and colourful waterproof jackets. This Racer comes in an electric crystal blue bio-acetate with matching lenses for maximum visual impact.  

Shop on retrosuperfuture.com

Oscar Magnuson – Serge Sunglasses

Scandinavian label Oscar Magnuson follows a subtle palette of monochrome colours throughout their latest collection. Clear square bio-acetate frames are contrasted with deep blue bio-lenses that carry a hint of green for an understated expression of style. What’s more – your purchase comes with an 100% organic leather holder sourced from a Swedish tannery.

Shop on oscarmagnuson.com

Tory Burch – Pilot Sunglasses

Tory Burch puts forth an aviator-inspired silhouette brought to life with recycled materials. The style’s seamless presentation is perfected through a timeless shiny black acetate paired with solid colour lenses. Its wide fit accommodates most face shapes, whether oval, square, round or heart-shaped.

Shop on sunglasshut.com

Ace & Tate – Heather Sunglasses

For those looking for full coverage, Amsterdam-based Ace & Tate brings you these bold and outspoken frames. Crafted from thick bio-acetate in a refreshing lilac shade, it’s the perfect style signifier for summer.

Shop on aceandtate.com

See also: 5 Sustainable Travel Hacks for Your Next Trip

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