ST Y L E S P OT L I G H T
Evolutionary gains to save the planet By Joan Grady
Sustainability is at the forefront of global initiatives – as the world becomes more aware of the process to understand the limits of natural, physical and social resources so that future generations can thrive. As climate change takes a toll on our oceans and lands, plus social and economic issues, companies are rising to the occasion to ensure ecological integrity.
INNOVATIVE GREEN PROGRAMMES As awareness grows about the devastating impact of our way of life on the climate and environmental habitats, inventive concepts are being researched and discovered. CooperVision has launched a partnership with Plastic Bank, a social enterprise that builds ethical recycling ecosystems in coastal communities, that includes Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines and Egypt. Now, all CooperVision’s one-day contact lenses distributed in the UK and Ireland are plastic neutral. Doug Bairner, CooperVision country manager for the UK and Ireland, says: “Like many companies, CooperVision is on a sustainability journey. The commitment to making all of our one-day lenses in the UK and Ireland plastic neutral is an innovative addition in CooperVision’s holistic approach to sustainability, with the opportunity to make a positive impact for our oceans, and for everyone. “Plastic neutrality is not an endpoint; it is another milestone in CooperVision’s journey to continuing to make a positive impact
28 Vision Now March 2022
Sustainable Stepper design, SI-30170
on the environment, and we look forward to partnering with eyecare practitioners and wearers to make it happen. By simply fitting and wearing CooperVision oneday contact lenses, it’s easy to make a difference – together,” adds Bairner. Plastic Bank founder and CEO, David Katz, notes: “Together with CooperVision, we’re offering the eyecare industry the opportunity to make a meaningful environmental, social and economic impact.” VISIONARY PROJECTIONS When Hans Stepper created Stepper Eyewear in the 1970s, sustainability was not a global priority. However, the founder incorporated an injection moulding process for plastic frames that used less than five per cent of the input material compared to equivalent acetate frames. Alex Davis, Stepper head of brands and marketing, explains more: “Our frames have never been assigned a collection or season within a year, removing any built-in obsolescence. As a result, today there are some frames that have remained in manufacture for almost 20 years. In
Eyespace Eco Conscious model Datura
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Stepper Eyewear takes a realistic and honest approach to sustainability
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he eyewear sector is among those who have rallied and understand the need to incorporate sustainable practises into their daily work that benefit employees, customers and the environment. From frames to contact lenses, cases to shipping and new methods of production, the industry has embraced the need to conserve and align future projects to natural resources.
Alex Davis, Stepper Eyewear head of brands and marketing the 1970s, this approach was referred to as ‘efficiency’. In the 2020s, the need to reduce our ecological footprint has become a significant factor in consumer behaviour: no business can or wants to ignore this. “Stepper Eyewear takes a realistic and honest approach to sustainability," continues Davis. "Manufacturing processes are constantly being scrutinised for improved efficiencies to reduce impact
