This blog post was written by James Chu founder of Paper Shades, a brand that not only creates sustainable sunglasses but also helps educate and empower consumers while challenging conventional business practices.

What Consumers Look For In Their Sunglasses

When a consumer looks for sunglasses, they usually think; I want them to look good, be UV safe with quality lenses, and they need to be comfortable to wear for a day out. It's fairly easy to find something that ticks all these boxes and matches your budget. 

But what about other aspects, like the impact the glasses will have on the environment when they're no longer in use? What about the impact of the manufacturing of those glasses? What happens when they break, or you lose them? Consumers seldom assume responsibility. Yet what you bring to the outdoors doesn’t always come back home with you.

The Truth Behind Sunglass Manufacturing

A large part of my design career has been spent visiting factories. I've toured some of the finest to the jaw-droppingly bad factories. When I started Paper Shades, I visited a city called Wenzhou and its surrounding cities along the east coast of China which is the global epicenter of all eyewear. The sheer scale of manufacturing of this single type of product is staggering. You can find eyewear ranging from 16 cents to $50. Either way, there was only one thought in mind driving this vast amount of production - profit.

Sunglasses are a consumable, but we’re not consuming 100% of all the eyewear that's been produced. So where do all the unsold glasses go?

Imagine what happens when a sunglasses factory has overproduced. Or when sunglasses trends change and the product is no longer selling. Even if the material can be separated for recycling, it may not always be cost-effective, resulting in a whole lot of waste headed to landfills.

Looking at Sunglasses in a New Light

The thought of all this waste encouraged me to begin searching for alternative sustainable materials for sunglass production. I thought, what if your favorite summer accessory could actually help protect the environment it allows you to enjoy?

This question prompted me to help empower consumers to take sustainable action. The non-radical idea to use paper presented all the obvious sustainability benefits, with the addition of some great by-products, such as:

1. A much slimmer footprint making shipping way more efficient
2. On-the-fly easy adjustment to get the perfect fit.
3. Paper is a renewable resource
4. There is an existing recycling system in place for paper. This includes when production is halted and post-consumer waste.

Transforming Accessories Into A Tool For Positive Change

The eyewear industry, like many others, has long relied on materials that contribute to environmental harm. By exploring sustainable alternatives such as paper, we have the chance to reduce waste and carbon footprints while still offering stylish, functional products. This shift not only addresses the growing need for eco-friendly solutions but also empowers consumers to make more conscious, responsible choices. As we look toward the future, sustainable eyewear could become the norm, transforming a simple accessory into a tool for positive change.

The next time you pick up a pair of sunglasses, remember—what you wear can help protect the world you enjoy.