How to Be a Sustainable Glasses Wearer

If you’re determined to be eco-friendly, you might be wondering how you can make your specs greener without actually changing their colour. Luckily, there are lots of ways you can continue saving the planet even when your prescription changes. While glasses don’t create a lot of waste compared to some other lifestyle choices, it’s good to be mindful about the ways we can reduce the amount of materials needed to stay happy and healthy. Here are some top tips on making the eco-friendly choice when it comes to glasses:

Repair

If your glasses are bent or broken, repairing them can be easier than you think. If you’d like to have a go at doing this yourself, check out this website for a handy guide. But even if your glasses seem to be broken beyond repair, ask an optician or specialist for their advice. Chances are you’ll be able to salvage at least some of the frame or the lenses, reducing the waste you create.

Don’t Always Buy New

When your prescription changes, many opticians will encourage you to buy a new pair of glasses but most of the time simply switching your lenses will do. While this might mean going a few days without specs, this is something most people can manage without too much trouble. If your lenses need changing regularly, your frames probably won’t be in terrible condition and will serve you well for years to come.

Choose Material Carefully

Finding glasses made from sustainable materials isn’t always easy. If your optician doesn’t have these on offer, consider buying the most durable frames you can. This will reduce the number of glasses you’ll go through in your life. Metal frames are typically the longest-lasting while plastics are prone to breaking more quickly.

Pass On Old Glasses

Sometimes it’s just not possible to fit your new lenses into existing frames if your prescription has changed a lot. In this case, consider passing on the frames to someone else if they’re still in good condition. While it’s unlikely the lenses will be the ones they need unless they’re very basic reading glasses, they’ll be able to save the planet too and save some money on new frames. If you don’t know anyone who would like them, there are plenty of upcycling sites online where you can list them for free or for a small fee.

Consider Your Case Carefully

Similarly to choosing your frames, the case you pick should again be made of a sustainable material or last a long time. Cases don’t have to be replaced as often as frames and a good one could last a lifetime. Avoid flimsy plastic cases at all costs. While these might be brightly coloured and affordable, you’ll likely go through a lot of them in the years to come, so consider making an investment now. Research cases carefully or consider reaching out to a local craftsman who puts a lot of work into all their products.