Eco-Friendlier Eyewear: More Sustainable Options for Your New View on the World

We can’t ignore the facts: even your glasses can be harmful to the environment. Many traditional glasses contain materials like nickel, copper and plastic. While these materials are durable, they cause significant environmental problems when they are eventually discarded. The long time they take to break down and their harmful effects on both soil quality and the oceans are now well-known.

So, if you’d like to do things differently and are looking for eco-friendlier eyewear, we have good news! The eyewear industry is making great strides toward a more sustainable future, and plenty of options are available. More and more brands are experimenting with traceable, natural and local materials. In this guide we show you opticians, screened by COSH!, that offer a more environmentally friendly choice without compromising on quality or style. Finding more sustainable glasses has never been easier!

Cirkels: second-hand eyewear from Belgium

What’s an eco-friendlier option than reusing existing eyewear frames? When you visit one of the Cirkels stores, you will bump into a display full of glasses. See something you like? Fill in an order form, and Cirkels will send the frame from your choice to the local optician, who will recycle it into a new pair of multifocal or unifocal glasses. And the best part is: you can order your spectacles not in one, but seven different stores in and around Mechelen en de Rupel region!

Den Brillenatelier: giving glasses a second life in Antwerp

Ever thought your old glasses could help someone see the world more clearly? At Den Brillenatelier, that’s exactly what happens. Located in the heart of Antwerp, Koen — fondly known as Den Brillenman—turns donated eyewear frames into custom prescription glasses, crafted with care for anyone in need.

Koen’s inspiring journey began with Eyes for the World, a project that brought clearer vision to communities across the globe. Now, his atelier combines this passion with sustainability, giving old frames a second life while creating opportunities for people with a distance to the traditional labour market.

Each pair of glasses is a true labour of love. Donated frames are carefully dismantled, sorted, and reused in Koen’s workshop in Mechelen, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. For every frame you donate, you’re not just reducing waste—you’re supporting local craftsmanship and meaningful employment.

Got an old pair lying around? Donate them at the Kringwinkel shops, Cirkels or Refaced stores. Together, we can give glasses — and people — a fresh start.

5Loops: innovative and more sustainable eyewear fashion in Germany

Dive into the world of 5Loops, where sustainability takes center-stage in eyewear fashion. Founded by twins Andrea and Caroline, inspired by their ophthalmological knowledge and a commitment to environmental responsibility, 5Loops offers a unique collection of glasses crafted with biodegradable BioAcetate S70 (certified by ISO-14855). Each pair reflects a dedication to reducing the environmental footprint, making a bold statement in more sustainable fashion.

5Loops strives to repurpose and revitalize the eyewear industry. Embrace the distinctive charm of glasses that not only elevate your style but also contribute to a greener planet. Join 5Loops in the pursuit of more sustainable elegance – a choice that resonates with both fashion-forward individuals and more environmentally conscious consumers.

Bidules: unique, vintage glasses in Brussels

Looking for more sustainable glasses with a unique and vintage frame? Bidules is the perfect store for you! The Bidules team travels around Europe in order to search for vintage glasses in attics, cellars or old eyewear factories. The goal is to restore, repair and give them a new life, arguably making them more conscious than a new pair of glasses.

Did you know that almost 100% of eyeglasses produced in Europe before the 1990s were known for their excellent quality? At Bidules, you’ll find unique, high-quality vintage frames, some of which are decades old. It’s amazing! If you don’t know what to do with your old glasses, bring them to Bidules or donate them to Lunette sans frontières. 

Meet Optiek Uniek: eyewear that’s truly unique

Tired of cookie-cutter glasses? Say hello to Optiek Uniek, where individuality and sustainability come together. This boutique optician champions independent eyewear brands that prioritise more ethical production and timeless design.

At Optiek Uniek, you’ll discover frames that elevate your look and align with your values. From vintage-inspired silhouettes to bold, contemporary designs, their curated collection reflects a commitment to craftsmanship and more sustainable practices. And it’s not just about aesthetics—these glasses are built to last, giving you style that stands the test of time.

SEED Lunettes: eco-friendlier glasses in Brussels

The more sustainable optician SEED Lunettes, located in Brussels, offers glasses and sunglasses from six European brands besides their own glasses. The frames are all made from materials that are recyclable or considered to be biodegradable, sourced mostly in Europe. In addition, the glasses are produced and assembled entirely in Europe.

Come and discover the brand Friendly Frenchy at SEED Lunettes. This French brand uses innovative materials that are considered organic, locally sourced and produced in France. The supply chain of Friendly Frenchy is very short, the glasses travel a short distance before they land on your nose!

Seed Lunettes also features Shelter Manufacture​’s collection. This French based brand offers handcrafted glasses made by artisans from wood fibre, notable for being 100% recyclable and 80% biodegradable. All the wood is sourced from sustainably managed forests, aligning with FSC label standards.

Another brand to watch out for is SEA2SEE, sold at both SEED Lunettes and our next store – Optiek Cardoen. They craft their eyewear from recycled marine plastic collected in Europe and West Africa. The brand partners with local fishermen to both clean oceans and empower coastal communities. With a 100% Italian production process, SEA2SEE is also certified as a B‑Corporation, emphasizing their dedication to quality and sustainability.

Optiek Cardoen: exclusive eyewear in Beselare

Are you in West Flanders and looking for more sustainable glasses, that are produced in Europe? Then Optiek Cardoen is the place to be! Francisca, an experienced optometrist and the store’s owner for over 30 years, offers a selection from a range of small European eyewear brands, to big global sustainable eyewear brands. A common theme is that all these brands have an interest in more sustainable production methods using recycled or bio-based materials. Fun fact: each frame is only available once in the store! This way, you are sure to go home with a unique pair of glasses.

Optiek Cardoen houses many brands, one of them being FUNK Eyewear, founded by a designer duo handcrafting each piece in their own facility in Bavaria, with locally sourced materials. Committed to sustainability, FUNK embraces natural cotton acetate frames and metals like titanium. The brand’s circular approach involves repurposing cut-outs and utilizing vintage editions, emphasizing their dedication to minimizing waste. 

At Optiek Cardoen, you can also find Eco Eyewear. Located in the US, they create frames from bio acetate, recycled metals and ocean plastics. Their commitment extends to eco-friendlier practices, such as sponsoring ocean clean-ups and using the collected plastic for frame production. Notably, their One Frame, One Tree program has planted over 3.3 million trees, making them a brand dedicated to balancing quality, durability, and more eco-conscious fashion.

Another good brand sold at Optiek Cardoen is Folc, based in Barcelona. With the frames handcrafted in Italy, this is a brand that embraces a short chain by sourcing all their materials locally as well. They utilize cellulosic acetate sourced from trees, wood dust, and cotton seeds, for their frame materials. They also offer repair services. 

Discover Dizzy Optiek: where style meets sustainability

Looking for glasses that are as kind to the planet as they are stylish? Step into Dizzy Optiek in Antwerp, where quality and sustainability go hand in hand. This independent optician celebrates craftsmanship and originality, offering an exclusive selection of eyewear from small, more ethically-minded brands.

From frames crafted with innovative, less resource-intensive materials to their focus on durable design, Dizzy ensures every pair of glasses is a choice for the future. But it’s not just about the frames. With top-notch optical services and personal attention, they’re redefining what it means to shop for eyewear.

Whether you’re after a bold statement piece or timeless classics, Dizzy Optiek has options for every style, budget, and identity. It’s more than just glasses; it’s about finding eyewear that reflect your values.

Optiek Kristien: distinctive eyewear in the heart of Hasselt

Looking for stylish eyewear that suits your personal style? Head over to Optiek Kristien in Hasselt! Kristien’s got a knack for special eyewear and her shop is all about it. From unique frames made with recycled materials to being the go-to place for recycling old glasses and contacts, she’s got it covered. It’s all about finding your perfect, one-of-a-kind pair, but also feeling good about your choice aligning with more environmental considerations. Swing by and see what’s in store – you’re in for a treat! 

One of the brands housed at Optiek Kristien is Monoqool, a Danish eyewear trailblazer specializing in 3D printed designs. Nestled in the scenic north of Copenhagen, Monoqool 3D prints their frames, crafted from 85% recycled surgical stainless steel. Monoqool’s dedication to ultimate comfort is evident in the design of ultra-thin, lightweight frames, promising lasting durability.

Indulge in the sophistication of Oscar Magnuson, also sold at Optiek Kristien, a Stockholm-based high-end eyewear label merging contemporary art, design, fashion, and music. Handcrafted in Italy, the label uses bio-acetate frames sourced from FSC-protected wood pulp, bio-nylon lenses from castor oil and vegetable-tanned leather cases sourced locally from Swedish tanneries. The label’s short supply chain within Western Europe emphasizes reduced CO2 emissions. Oscar Magnuson’s retro-inspired frames showcase longevity and quality, each a unique piece of art.

At Optiek Kristien, discover the vibrancy of Binôche, a Belgian eyewear brand that crafts funky glasses for every personality. Designed in Antwerp and manufactured in France and Italy, Binôche collaborates closely with production companies to create handmade pieces of high quality. Binôche’s frames, made from metal and acetate, offer a touch of more eco-consciousness. Fully recyclable materials make their products circular. Binôche celebrates eyewear as individual expressions of art.