How to beat plastic pollution this World Environment Day​

World Environment Day is a global event, held on 5th June and celebrated by millions of people internationally. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of conserving the planet. Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this annual campaign encourages communities to get involved and take positive action to protect the environment. It also focuses on the procedures carried out by governments and businesses. This year Côte d’Ivoire will celebrate the 50th anniversary of this global event.

Solutions to plastic pollution

The theme for World Environment Day 2023 is solutions to plastic pollution. You may be asking why this topic is particularly relevant and what you can do to make a stand. In fact, plastic pollution is a big topic in the news especially because of the negative impact it has on the environment and also the lives of humans and animals.

According to the United Nations, over 400 million tonnes of plastic is manufactured annually all over the globe. Half of this plastic is intended for single use only and less than 10% is recycled. Also, up to 23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers and seas every year. Single-use plastic negatively impacts human health and biodiversity. It also results in ecosystems being polluted.

Discover our eco-friendly glasses range

We have a wide collection of eco-friendly eyewear. Each design has been made responsibly. This includes our sustainable Waterhaul frames. They are crafted from recycled fishing nets that have been taken from the UK’s sea and coastline. Hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fishing nets are disposed of into the ocean each year. This is particularly damaging to marine creatures and accounts for a large amount of waste in the sea. Waterhaul is on a mission to get rid of this waste and prevent the nets from ending up in landfills. Learn more about Waterhaul and their dedicated work on our website.

Meanwhile, our stylish Arden frames are another eco-conscious choice. We teamed up with One Tree Planted, an environmental charity that is committed to reforestation all over the world. For every frame sold within this range, a tree will be planted. The organisation aims to bring forests back and to ensure biodiversity has a secure habitat in which to survive. If you’re keen to know more about the organisation and the charitable work they do, our interview with Louis Lagoutte, Branch Manager at One Tree Planted, is very enlightening.

We also have a variety of eco-friendly designer frames available for you to choose from. Discover popular brands like Tommy Jeans, Ben Sherman, New Balance, Levi’s®, Polaroid and more.

We’ve selected some of our favourite eco-friendly frames which we’re sure you’ll love.

How is Glasses Direct becoming more responsible?

As a trusted online prescription glasses retailer, we are keen to follow the path to a more sustainable future. We have recently launched our eco-friendly packaging. Made in the UK from recyclable materials, this is just one of the small steps we are taking in order to become more environmentally conscious.

What changes will you make this World Environment Day?

People across the globe celebrate World Environment Day in a variety of ways with the option to clean local beaches, plant trees and organise meetings and protests online. Take action and join the global fight to #BeatPlasticPollution.

One of the many ways you can make a difference is to purchase sustainable and eco-friendly products. Conduct your own research and also try to avoid choosing products and items made with materials that create lots of pollution during the manufacturing process. Manufacturers should also source materials responsibly and ensure they are easily recyclable. If you’re looking for ways to recycle your old glasses, we’ve got some great tips for you. Be conscious of your choices and always explore the finer details. Always remember to carry out research.

We would encourage you to make as many small changes as you can. Some of the simple ways you can do this are by recycling your old glasses and also researching the manufacturing process of your favourite new products before purchasing them.

If any of our eco-friendly glasses caught your eye, we’d love for you to share photos of your new favourite eyewear with us on Instagram by tagging @‌glasses_direct and #myglassesmyway.