Imagine walking down the street, or along the shoreline at your favorite beach, and you notice more people are looking at you than usual.  Not only that, but they’re giving more compliments, too. Now imagine it’s not only that, but you’re also feeling good about a purchase you just made – that purchase is your sunglasses, which is also what’s attracting so much attention.

In an age that’s all about defining yourself and carefully selecting each article of clothing and accessory you own to match your unique personality, there’s also a lot of awareness being brought to the state of our planet and how to take care of it better. Using our resources wisely is a huge task, but the good news is there are many smaller things we can each do to make a difference.

While it may sound a bit cheesy to make such a big deal about which sunglasses you pick – it really is a big deal. Each person can only do so much, but the little actions we each do all add up. And it’s no new announcement that we’re using way too much plastic these days, which often ends up either in the oceans or dragged along the shorelines of our beautiful beaches. By choosing sunglasses made from a more sustainable material, such as wood, you’re not only protecting your eyes – you’re helping to protect the earth, too.

Sustainability and the Fashion Industry

When it comes to buying sunglasses, like with any other purchase you make, it’s crucial you research the company to make sure they’re living up to their stated promises. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their sustainability efforts – such as where they source their wood, and if they have any recycle programs for used sunglasses. The good news is that companies focused on making green products are much more likely to be focused on other things, as well, like treating their workers fairly: offering health insurance plans, ensuring safe and optimal working conditions, and prohibiting child labor.

Wood is a natural and renewable material that decomposes well. Some wooden sunglasses also contain bamboo, a plant that doesn’t die when cut, is strong and reliable, and is completely compostable. Companies that follow responsible procedures when transforming their bamboo from raw stalk to shades are thereby helping to take care of our planet. Some companies also will plant trees or assist with eye care in certain areas of the world. So while it may feel like a small or even selfish thing to buy yourself a pair of sunglasses, when you purchase them from a socially conscious company, you’re actually making a difference.

Creating a Trend

Sure, the attention and compliments you get from stylish new shades are great, but what’s even better is also being able to share with people where you bought the glasses from, and why you selected that company. People are more influenced by the opinions and stories of those they know than by facts, so after hearing about the sustainability efforts of a certain sunglasses company and why it matters to you, your friends may be persuaded to make a purchase, too. And it just takes one person to tell someone else, who tells someone else, and so spreads the word. Wooden sunglasses come in so many shapes and colors now that there is bound to be a pair for everyone, making for a very attractive argument.

Trustworthy Companies

As we said above, companies with a proven track record of caring about the environment are also much more likely to care about issues such as protecting the human rights of their workers. We’re becoming more globally connected today than ever, as well as growing an awareness of why we should care about our neighbors. It’s important that the people who make the products we use are treated fairly. You’re going to buy sunglasses regardless, so why not make a difference at the same time?

Buying a recyclable product from an eco-friendly company helps give you a sense of purpose and a positive outlook on trustworthy companies. You probably never thought a sunglasses purchase was so important, but it really is something that’s about more than just looking cool (although that never hurts).

Handcrafted Style, Common Ground

Additionally, when you take the time to make a purchase in line with your beliefs, you’re one of just thousands of customers doing the exact same thing. It’s a nice paradox – no two pairs of wooden sunglasses are the same due to their handcrafted style and unique grain patterns, but it’s also a community of people across the globe who all chose these shades for similar reasons. Caring about the earth shouldn’t be just a passing fad, and with a strong enough community of socially conscious customers, it won’t be, either.