Becoming a B Corporation was a process that I can only describe as being beyond exciting for our business. It’s not quick, by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it took us over 20 months to complete.
However, we found that, as well as being an opportunity to become part of an amazing community of businesses with a shared vision, the certification process allowed us to deeply challenge our own conventions.
We’re thrilled to be among just a small handful of eyewear companies globally to have earned this prestigious accreditation. As Eyespace’s first anniversary as a certified B Corp approaches, we are proud to say we have continued to analyse operations, refine and improve all department’s objectives and activities, and have actively sought out new opportunities to keep driving our momentum forwards.
Our latest initiative is a new, free and simple demo lens recycling scheme, which we are encouraging all our friends and partners within the industry to integrate into their businesses, as part of their own sustainability journey.
Solutions for dummies
One of the questions frequently asked of myself and our team is whether demo lenses can be recycled. Historically, the answer has always been ‘no’ but, in addition to introducing biodegradable demo lenses with every product we now develop, today we can offer an alternative waste solution.
It will enable all opticians, whether they are an Eyespace customer or not, to recycle their waste acrylic demo lenses, rather than send them to landfill where they could take several hundred years to break down.
This is one of the most significant areas of waste in our industry, so we are avidly encouraging everyone to take action from today. To participate in the recycling scheme, all you have to do is keep your waste demo lenses (no matter the brand) and when you have filled a bag, box or container, simply post them to Eyespace’s head office or contact your Eyespace area sales manager, who will arrange to collect them.
It’s genuinely as simple as that. We will collect as many demo lenses as possible and send them directly for recycling. Please note that prescription lenses require an alternative recycling process, so we cannot accept those.
Ripples of change
Consumer buying behaviour is more nuanced than ever, with the public paying attention and choosing to champion those industries and brands that are being proactive and transparent.
We believe that many small ripples create tidal waves of change and this is the perfect example of how individual, small changes can have a massive impact collectively.
After learning just how vast the industry’s consumption of single-use plastics is, in 2021, our co-founder and CEO, Jayne Abel, was inspired to find a way to see the optical industry start banding together, and as such, the Optical Suppliers Association’s sustainability committee was formed.
With the conviction that the time was ‘now’ for optical companies to set new best-practice solutions to the challenges the world is facing, under her guidance as chair, the committee innovated to create a green charter.
A world-first for optics, this comprehensive framework is designed to provide a sustainable roadmap for all optical businesses, big and small. There will eventually be four tiers of certification for optical suppliers to sign-up to, allowing us all to identify those businesses that are enhancing their sustainable practices throughout their supply chain. Eyespace is proud to have successfully achieved levels one and two certifications with more levels yet to be rolled-out.
Product development
As demonstrated by our B Corp status, our sustainability initiatives are also completely embedded within our product development and the more we learn about sustainable development, the more we realise we need to become even more agile and dynamic if we’re to remain one step ahead.
Long ago, we committed to always bringing to market frames collections that exceed standards and expectations and, for some time, we have offered sustainable frame options in every category, from the luxury powerhouses Range Rover and Aspinal of London, through to our budget collection, Zips.
I’m also incredibly proud that we are powering towards 50% of our 1000+ SKU-count to be composed of sustainable materials by 2025, which brings to life the very premise of many small initiatives becoming something much bigger and greater.
With an ever-expanding sustainable materials library, including Mazzucchelli M49 bio-acetate, recycled marine plastics, consciously produced leathers and recycled metals, we are truly spoilt for choice – making the ‘right’ choice an easy one.
Looking to future sustainability initiatives, we will continue to make bold choices that will enhance our ongoing commitments to environmental stewardship. It’s very much a case of ‘watch this space’ on what will come next.
We are absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted again for this year’s Sustainability Award at the Optician Awards; an achievement that is incredibly meaningful to us as an openly conscious supplier, and one that underpins our efforts day in, day out.
We will continue to seek ways to inspire others, proving that all businesses can thrive while making a positive impact.
- Emily Andrews is Eyespace’s product director and chief sustainability officer.
