If you care about sustainable products, then you might have heard of Eco Eyewear. Their mission is literally in their name, but are their products really as eco-friendly as they seem on the surface?
Here’s the deep dive so you know more before you buy.
From Sustainable Beginnings
Eco Eyewear got its start in 2009, so it’s a fairly new brand. However, it arrived on the scene before sustainability became a major corporate interest. That’s a good sign that the brand had a clear mission before eco-friendly products started being churned out.
They also claim to be one of the first carbon-negative brands in the world, which is truly impressive, but more on that later.
Eco Eyewear is part of the House of Modo. They’re a portfolio of independent eyewear brands that includes the popular, affordable Modo brand. The company was founded in New York in 1990 and carries that city’s spirit, mixed with classic European heritage, in a collection of light, timeless frames.
The House of Modo also has a giving-back initiative, partnering with the Seva Foundation to improve the eyesight of kids around the world. It also makes sense that Eco Eyewear is a part of the House of Modo’s portfolio since they align on conscious consumerism.
What Are Eco Eyewear’s Frames Made From?
To reflect their values (and name), Eco Eyewear uses sustainable materials to make its frames. Part of the brand ethos is also to show how sustainable materials can feel comfortable and perform well.
Biobased
Biobased frames are used in several of Eco Eyewear’s collections.
These frames are made from castor seeds, which are turned into castor seed oil. The castor seed oil is then used as the base material for ‘pellets.’ The pellets make up the core of Eco Eyewear’s Biobased frames.
Recycled Metal
Then there’s the obvious one, using recycled metals for glasses frames. It’s smart, saves energy, and minimizes mining as the metal has already been extracted and discarded.
Recycled Aluminium
The recycled aluminum frames also help save energy and reuse materials that are already out there. These frames are lightweight and come with a matte metal coating, showing that sustainable can still be fashionable.
They also come with a magnetic sun clip-on (also made from recycled aluminum) that lets you switch from optical to UV protection in seconds.
Bio Acetate
Bio-acetate frames look like regular acetate frames, except they’re biodegradable. That means, unlike regular plastic acetate frames, they won’t wind up in the landfill for hundreds of years, because they can actually decompose. Some of these frames also offer the sun clip-on option.
The Eco Eyewear 360 Approach
A strong sign of sustainable values is that Eco Eyewear takes a 360-degree approach, incorporating sustainability throughout the eyewear process. That includes manufacturing and materials; it also includes packaging (which is recyclable).
But it also extends to using eco-friendly glasses cases, cleaning cloths, and even lenses. There’s a broader approach to environmental care that goes beyond a single recycled or eco-friendly collection.
It’s a good sign that the brand isn’t just about sticking a sustainable sticker on products without actually showing customers how they’re made or what they’re made from.
The packaging and cleaning cloth are made from recycled paper. This means a lower carbon footprint since no new trees are cut down. One of the most innovative initiatives is Eco Eyewear’s cornstarch bags (which hold the frames). They’re the first of their kind used in the eyewear industry.
Finally, the brand uses 99% recycled demo lenses. That means, again, utilizing materials that are already out there, reducing the overall carbon footprint of a product, and making sure there are fewer lenses in our oceans and landfills.
While not all the eyewear uses recycled lenses, it’s a start. These lenses are just as effective as ‘new’ lenses, proving that recycling doesn’t mean lower quality.
Planting Trees and Other Sustainable Impact Initiatives
Eco Eyewear plants a tree for every frame sold, which so far has led to the planting of 4.2 million trees! They’ve partnered with Trees for the Future, which develops forest gardens to strengthen communities worldwide and reduce poverty.
It’s a great initiative that goes beyond simply planting trees for its own sake or to appear to be doing something for the environment. Eco Eyewear’s partnerships with established foundations and NGOs are a great way to expand its impact and support existing organizations.
In 2024, Eco Eyewear collaborated with the organization Waste Free Oceans to help stop plastic from reaching the ocean off the coast of Tanzania. They’ve even published monthly project reports for customers to read on their website, which shows corporate responsibility.
Being Carbon Negative
Becoming carbon negative is no small feat for any brand, big or small. It’s not simply an award or sticker you can put on your products; it’s a whole process and commitment to reducing emissions.
To become carbon negative, you have to remove more carbon dioxide (from the atmosphere) than you put in. Put simply, Eco Eyewear’s 360 strategy means that although they’re making products, they’re actually still helping the environment. By planting trees and using recycled and biodegradable materials, the brand is reducing its output.
Is Eco Eyewear Good?
While the brand seems to live up to its name, the question still remains if its eyewear is any good. Redditors have had mostly positive things to say on a recent thread. However, some Redditors had issues with the magnetic clip-ons.
Some reviewers say they come off easily. The latest Retrospect collection may have some improvements, and its key design feature is that the clip-on is neither clunky nor heavy. Customers do like the lightweight, comfortable styles.
If you don’t find any options you like on Eco Eyewear, EZContacts also offers glasses made from bio-acetate. This includes these stylish oversized Chloe glasses and this chic cat-eye Kartell pair.
TL;DR
- Eco Eyewear was founded in 2009. It’s a part of the House of Modo portfolio.
- The frames are made from different sustainable materials depending on the collection, including castor seed oil, bio-acecate, and recycled metal and aluminum. These materials are meant to feel and look good while emitting less carbon during manufacturing.
- Eco Eyewear’s 360 approach includes using recycled paper for packaging, recycled plastic for some demo lenses, and natural cornstarch eyewear cases.
- The brand has several sustainable initiatives, including planting a tree for every frame sold and collaborating on an ocean waste mitigation project in Tanzania.
- It’s impressive that Eco Eyewear is carbon-negative, meaning they’re actually reducing carbon in the atmosphere (through their projects) rather than adding to it.
- Reviewers say the glasses are generally good quality and feel lightweight and comfortable. The new Retrospect Spring/Summer 2026 Collection has recently been released.
