ReFaCeD

Production locations

• Mechelen, Belgium

Working conditions & living wages 

ReFaCeD refurbishes its glasses in-house at Den Brillenman in Mechelen, which the brand describes as a socially inclusive workspace. Through a collaboration with Ecoso, ReFaCeD states that it offers work to people who are distanced from the labour market, for example because of a disability or while recovering from burnout. 

The workplace follows EU labour regulations. 

Materials

• Refurbished second-hand frames (typically acetate, metal and plastic components)
• Second-hand lenses Because ReFaCeD reuses existing glasses, it avoids sourcing virgin materials for most of a pair. 

Packaging 

ReFaCeD does not disclose what packaging materials are used. 

Water usage & chemicals 

Because ReFaCeD reuses existing glasses, the water- and chemical-intensive steps of new production fall away.

Circular product design 

The brand says each pair is disassembled, cleaned and reassembled, with worn parts such as screws or plastic components replaced first. That makes the glasses repairable and extends their lifespan. 

Frames that cannot be reused are passed to Yuma Labs, which the brand says recycles the acetate. 

ReFaCeD is open that lens plastics cannot yet be recycled because of technical limits, so this remains a challenge rather than a solved problem.

Circular business models 

ReFaCeD is built around resale of refurbished eyewear. Old glasses are donated by the community in stores, then sorted, repaired and sold on. 

The brand encourages customers to return their old glasses, which feeds the loop. 

Distance & complexity of the supply chain

• HQ and workshop: Mechelen, Belgium
• Collection points: local stores in and around Mechelen

Transportation 

• The brand states there is no shipping to customers, since glasses are bought in person, which it says keeps transport emissions low. 
• Non-reusable frames are sent to Yuma Labs for recycling, which does involve some transport. 

No animal based products are involved.

Product design 

ReFaCeD makes glasses and frames for adults. Because stock is second-hand, styles and sizes vary with what comes in.

Slow fashion processes 

ReFaCeD does not work in seasonal collections. Instead it refurbishes and resells whatever glasses come back, which the brand says counters overconsumption and waste in the optical industry. 

Transparency on product

There are no online product pages with traceability.

Transparency on processes 

The brand shares the full picture, its refurbishment steps, partners and social mission, mostly with customers in store, which keeps its transparency on a personal level.