Founded in London by four women, Wires Glasses is out to produce sustainable eyewear and reduce plastic use.
Concerned about the environmental impact of the traditional eyewear industry, Wires Glasses uses entirely sustainable design and production of spectacles and sunglasses and reduces the amount of waste in manufacturing.
Circular Design Europe estimates the eyewear industry as worth US$120 billion annually. Plastic is the main source of raw material and sustainability is almost non-existent, the organisation says.
The Wires team actively seeks out the most environmentally friendly materials available. Temple tips are made from rapeseed oil plants in Italy, which balance durability and eco-friendliness. The wire is handcrafted, while lenses are made from castor oil plants and biomass energy to reduce carbon footprint. Moreover, 3D-printing technology is used to make the rims, a speciality of Wires.
The Wires team is seeking funding through a Kickstarter project allowing consumers to pre-order the products and take a step towards a more sustainable lifestyle.
A number of goals are set each day and the project will be cancelled if the number is not reached. Customers will only be charged at the end of a campaign when it succeeds.
The quest to produce more environmentally friendly eyewear is gaining momentum around the world. Earlier this month, Viable Earth reported on an Australian company Good Citizens, which has launched a range of fashionable carbon-negative sunglasses.
