Changing the game: Eco on sustainable eyewear and social impact

The focus on sustainability has ramped up significantly in the past year, with brands making commitments to improve their impact on the planet.

Whether through partnerships, supply chain and operational updates, or product launches that embrace new, more environmentally-friendly products, the topic of sustainability is gathering pace.

The eyewear brand, Eco, considers itself a pioneer in this area, Giovanni Lo Faro, CEO, international at Modo Eyewear, told OT.

The sustainability-focused brand started in 2012 and produces frames across four different ‘families’ of materials: bio-based, bio-acetate, ocean plastics, and recycled metals.

“Sustainability is now a fashion trend, but practices should stock sustainable frames for the historic moment we live in,” Lo Faro said. “It is time to ‘change the game,’ as we used to say in our campaigns. We all have the responsibility to find new ways of making a positive change.”

As awareness of environmental issues has risen amongst consumers, people are increasingly looking for new ways to make a difference.

“Stocking sustainable frames is a great opportunity for the practice to differentiate itself,” Lo Faro commented.

It’s important that sustainability goes beyond the frames, Lo Faro shared: “Besides producing eco-conscious frames, we drive a 360-degree approach that goes from recycled packaging and point of purchase materials to logistics.”

This includes the introduction of biodegradable and compostable transport bags made from cornstarch for 2022.

Engaging people to consider the environment, having fun and doing something positive for our planet is great, because only together we can make the difference, one frame at the time

The company is a supporter of the Terra Carta, a mandate that proposed a set of principles to put ‘nature, people and planet’ at the heart of the private sector.

Discussing the role of certifications in the company’s approach to corporate social responsibility and sustainability, Lo Faro said: “It is important to take an official commitment as a company. This sends a message to other companies that need to start to think and act differently for a more equitable and prosperous society.”

Accreditation is important, too, Lo Faro suggested, as a proof of authenticity to customers.

“Working with external organisations helps to reach new goals that you could not achieve by yourself, gives us the opportunity to extend our action field and creates a network that is useful for us as a company to receive as many inputs as possible,” he added.

The company runs several initiatives with social and environmental impacts. Launched in 2021, the brand’s Eco Ocean collection creates frames from recycled ocean plastic, in partnership with the non-governmental organisation, Waste Free Ocean. Since 2020, the brand has also been organising beach cleans around the world, partnering with local communities, volunteers and retailers.

Similarly, through the One Frame - One Tree initiative, in partnership with Trees for the Future, Eco has seen 2.9 million trees planted (one for each frame purchased). This equates to 44,000 tonnes of carbon sequestered per year.

Looking forward, a key aim for Eco is to reach the goal of planting 3 million trees – “that is so close,” Lo Faro said.

The company is also focused on further developing the community around the brand, Lo Faro said: “it already exists, thanks to our opticians and partners but we could see its potential with the Eco Beach Clean Up events we have organised all over the world.”

“Engaging people to consider the environment, having fun and doing something positive for our planet is great, because only together we can make the difference, one frame at the time,” he added.