Eyes On Sustainability: Closing the loop

Spectacle frames are quite unusual in that they combine the functions of a medical device with elements of fashion. The fashion industry is usually pegged second only to the oil and gas industries in terms of detrimental environmental impact, and frame production and use can be subject to the elevated levels of wastefulness associated with fashion.

One obvious way to improve sustainability under current consumption patterns is moving towards a closed production loop by using recycled and recyclable materials, and that is where Eastman comes in.

The company currently offers three renewable materials: Acate Renew, a 100% sustainable acetate that contains 40% recycled material and offers properties appropriate for luxury eyewear; Tenite Renew, a premium material that can be injection molded and contains at least 20% recycled content and 36% biobased content; and Tritan Renew copolyester, a 50% recycled content material suitable for injection molded eyewear.