As a country we are seeing the next generation emerging more health conscious than ever. This future orientated and proactive mindset also often translates into concern about the future of our planet; being more mindful about waste and recycling while also focusing on sustainability.

WRITER Nicole Grasso

Sustainability is about meeting today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by balancing environmental protection, social wellbeing, and economic prosperity. The health industry, as a whole, has a large impact on the environment. Annually, an estimated 748 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gasses are produced by the health sectors of the United States, Australia, England, and Canada.1 As active members of our industry, there are steps we can take to reduce this environmental impact.

When selecting business suppliers – whether it’s a construction company to create the fit out of your practice, the ophthalmic laboratory to supply your lenses, frame manufacturers, even the printing company to create your posters – there are ways that we can research their sustainability practices.

GREEN FLAGS COMPANIES

A major green flag is a company with B-Corp certification. A B-Corp certification is a voluntary certification for businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental responsibility, as well as transparency and ethical governance. In Australia and New Zealand, it’s used to show that a business is committed to balancing profit with positive impact for people and the planet.

A recent list of the world’s most sustainable companies, created by Time magazine and data firm Statista, listed EssilorLuxottica in the top 300 (ranking 238th overall). Several fashion brands linked to eyewear groups also appeared in the list, including Burberry, Moncler, Ralph Lauren, and Brunello

Cucinelli (EssilorLuxottica); Puma (Kering); Hugo Boss (Safilo); and Guess (Marcolin).2

Our customers are also conscious of the impacts that fast fashion has on the environment, and they may insist on reusing a spectacle frame that has seen better days rather that purchasing a new frame. Knowing your product range and the production process can be an advantage to getting this customer into a quality frame that meets both their personal and ethical needs. Bio-acetate frames have a reduced carbon footprint compared to recycled plastics, and are designed to break down naturally into harmless substances.

Eyes Right Optical has chosen to plant one tree for every frame purchase from its Project Green collection. Lisa Wymond from Eyes Right Optical shared how this project works: “We make significant pre-emptive donations to One Tree Planted (onetreeplanted.org) based on projected sales. So, practices can be assured that the donation to One Tree Planted has already taken place before the practice purchases the frame; it is not waiting.”

OTIS Eyewear has a double combination of eco frame materials with EcoAcetates that biodegrade at their end of life in landfill and EcoGrilamids, which are made from 50% renewable resources.3

Zeal is another brand with a focus on sustainability.4 The brand contributes 1% of the gross sales from its plano sunglasses to environmental causes. Additionally, most Zeal Optics frames are made from Z-Resin, a partially plant-based material derived from the fast-growing, perennial castor plant. Zeal’s proprietary Z-Resin material contains a minimum of 45% plant-based bio resin. Zeal’s See Grass collection combines 10% recycled plastic and 30% grass fibres in a closed-loop system powered by renewable energy.

CR labs has developed Eco6, a lens material from renewable biomass materials that is available across all grind products, is tintable in various colours and densities, lightweight, and suitable for rimless and nylon/inline fitting – reducing any barriers for being able to select this product for your customers.5

ZEISS Sunlens, which produces plano sun lenses for the eyewear industry, offers sustainable materials produced using a certified mass balance approach, that processes bio-based and fossil-based raw materials together within the same manufacturing system.6 The sustainable polyamide replaces fossil-based raw materials with bio-based resources and incorporates renewable energy sources during production. ZEISS also has LightPro technology and polarised polyamide lenses, that include bio-based raw materials as a partial substitute for fossil-based resources.

CLOSING THE LOOP

You can also be on the lookout for closed loop programs. A closed loop program collects used materials, recycles them into new products, and returns them to use, minimising the need for virgin resources. People love the idea of donating their no longer needed prescription glasses to give them a second life. Glasses donation is perfect for frames that are in good condition, not showing signs of wear and tear, and that have similar spherical prescription lenses. If glasses are deteriorated or broken, charities cannot repurpose these glasses, however there are other ways they can be recycled.

Opticycle recycles eyeglasses, lenses, and disposable contact lens cases.7 It separates donations into plastic, metal, and lens groups to then begin the recycling process. The plastics and metal collected are turned into raw materials for new products. Disposable contact lens cases collected throughout the recycling process are separated into plastic and aluminium, then sent to end-users. HOYA provides its lens swarf to Opticycle, where it goes through its recycling process to be repurposed into benchtops or pavers.

CR Labs is committed to reducing waste and supporting a circular economy by transitioning to the use of 100% recycled materials for all packaging.4 This approach not only eliminates unnecessary waste but also ensures that packaging materials are repurposed, keeping them in the supply chain and minimising environmental impact.

In addition to sustainable packaging, CR Labs is adopting a paper-free ordering system as a key element of its environmental strategy. By encouraging optical practices to use the digital ordering platform, CR Labs is significantly reducing paper consumption. This digital shift also streamlines ordering processes, enhancing efficiency while supporting eco-friendly business operations.

HOYA has committed to using less material in its packaging and using recycled and eco-friendly alternatives where possible to reduce its footprint across its supply chain by 2030.8

CooperVision has taken a different approach, having partnered with Plastic Bank in 2021 and introduced the world’s first plastic neutral contact lens. This initiative has grown significantly through an international partnership that now covers its entire range of products sold and distributed in Australia and New Zealand.9 This includes the lens, blister, and secondary packaging. By offsetting plastic use through waste recovery and recycling programs, CooperVision is helping to reduce environmental impact.

So, whether it’s choosing to donate or recycle old spectacles, stocking an eco-frame range, or choosing a biomass lens material supplier, there are a multitude of ways that we can reduce environmental impact in optics. It is the actions of many that have a lasting impact.

I encourage you to consider how you can make a difference as you review the sustainable frame and lens products below.

Nicole Grasso is a trainer at the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD) and has worked in the optical industry since 2015. She is also an optical dispenser at The Optical Co.

References available at mivision.com.au.