The eyewear industry has used all sorts of materials when making spectacles. Metals in the form of Titanium, Nickel, Stainless steel. Plastics in the form of acetates, TR90, Nylon, Acrylics. Natural materials made with wood, animal horns, and shells. There was a time when sea turtles were harms to obtain their turtleshell and this was stopped around the advent of acetate as an alternative. This is where the classic colour of tortoise shell came from. The acetates turned out to be a very durable material, coming in a wide array of shades and colours Fast forward to today and these plastics now pose a problem to marine life and our own health by extension.
Plastics in the oceans
- There is so much plastic in the oceans that 88% of the ocean is polluted by plastics.
- Almost all baby sea turtles have plastice waste in them ,
- There are 5000 pieces of plastic & 150 plastic bottles for each mile of UK beach,
- the UK contributing to 1.7 millions tonnes of plastice waste annually.
- Has affected our food chain with 1 in 3 fish for consumption contain plastics.
That’s a lot to digest and the situation seems over whelming but there is a push to clean up the oceans and upcycle the waste. Companies like Sea2sea have collection points in various countries ,providing an extra income to locals and allowing them to gather and process tonnes of ocean plastic like fish nets. These are then turned into glasses frames.
What we like about Sea2Sea eyewear.
Despite the recycled nature of the eyewear, they are light weight, and the colours are bold. The sizing range means we have frames for very large face shapes to petites.
If you would like to come and try them on please email us or request an appointment.
