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9 Eco-Friendly Sunglasses That Protect Your Eyes and The Planet

These eco-friendly sunglasses don't just look cool. They're also made with sustainable materials and protect your eyes against harmful rays.

Written by
Giulia Lallas
Published

Rocking a pair of eco-friendly sunglasses makes you look cool, no matter the season. It's not just about looks, though: Choosing a sustainable option can also help protect you and the planet.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, failing to protect your eyes from the sun's harmful rays now can harm your vision later (don't forget to protect your skin while you're at it). That's why ophthalmologists recommend choosing eco-friendly sunglasses that don't just look great, but keep you safe in the process.

When searching for a protective pair of eco-friendly sunglasses, Rishi Singh, MD, says to look for options that block both UVA and UVB rays. Polarized lenses are great, too: They reduce glare and make everything look sharper.

Between the protection and high-quality sustainable materials, these nine pairs of eco-friendly sunglasses won't disappoint. They're cute, effective, and ready to be worn all year long.

9 Eco-Friendly Sunglasses to Try

Sunski uses recycled plastic to make its frames. The brand is certified Carbon Neutral, a 1% for the Planet member, and consistently donates to environmental nonprofit organizations.

These eco-friendly sunglasses are super comfortable, have polarized lenses, block 100% of UVA/UVB/UV400 wavelengths, and provide medium coverage. They also come in eight different colors.

2. Pela Sustainable Sunglasses, (Reg. 63.95+) $38.95+

Pela Sustainable Sunglasses create 33% less CO2 emissions, use 34% less water, and produce 82% less waste compared to conventional sunglasses and packaging.

Each pair of Pela sunglasses is made out of recycled material (just like their popular Pela phone cases) and ocean plastic.

Woodzee features brands that use a wide range of eco-friendly materials in their eco-friendly sunglasses, from bamboo to used skateboards. It also has a recycling program where customers can send items in to be transformed into a new pair of sunglasses.

This pair of sunglasses from CRAP Eyewear offers protection from UVA and UVB rays and is extremely lightweight.

Warby Parker gives customers the option to try out five pairs of glasses at home for free. In addition, with every pair purchased, a pair is given to someone in need.

The brand uses organic pigments to color its glasses, and quality materials like cellulose acetate in its transparent production process. These sunglasses are hand-polished, have scratch-resistant lenses, and block 100% of UVA and UVB rays.

Genusee is an eco-friendly sunglasses brand that creates its products with recycled plastic from Flint, Michigan. Each pair is made from 15 single-use water bottles and blocks out UVB and UVA rays.

"They’re literally using the plastic that these residents are required to drink out of because they still don’t have clean drinking water in parts of Flint," says Laura Wittig, founder and CEO of Brightly.

6. Pala Sunglasses, $110

Pala is a certified B Corporation that pledges to donate grants to eye-care programs in Africa with every pair of eco-friendly sunglasses it sells. The brand also oversees the production of its hand-weaved, recycled plastic sunglasses cases in Ghana.

All of its sunglasses are vegan and cruelty-free, as they're made from bio-acetate, and provide UVA and UVB protection.

Wear Panda makes its eco-friendly sunglasses out of bamboo. It's a 1% for the Planet member and is committed to supporting a wealth of environmental, social, and educational programs.

These sunglasses come in four distinct colors (and two separate polarized lens colors). They're made from FSC-certified bamboo frames and a portion of the sales is given to Optometry Giving Sight.

8. Depop Sunglasses, Price Varies

For selling and shopping alike, Depop is a great online thrift store for artsy, vintage-looking sunglasses. From hand-beaded rims to checkered hinges, you're sure to find your next favorite pair.

Additionally, if you have sunglasses you no longer wear, you can list them and see if you can find them a second home (that isn’t the landfill).

9. ThredUP Sunglasses, Price Varies

ThredUP, another online thrift store, has plenty of sunglasses to look through. The company is no stranger to sustainable brands either, so there’s a good chance you’ll find something made by one of your favorite eco-brands.