I’m always on the lookout for eco-friendly options, but I never knew there was a thing as eco-friendly sunglasses! This is a great alternative for anyone who loves to be outside, wants a durable pair of sunglasses, and likes to go the eco-friendly route with product purchases.
Lani Shades reached out to me recently and I was so impressed by their company, values, and mindset that I decided to write a little article about them to share with my readers.
So if you’re looking for a pair of eco-friendly sunglasses, keep reading and I’ll share all the details with you!
What is Lani Shades?
Lani Shades is a Hawaii based wood sunglasses company launched in 2019 out of Sail Hawaii, a sailing school. The creators wanted a pair of sunglasses that would help them look towards the sun when trimming the sails, or dull the sun’s glare on the water to watch for reefs.
The solution to their problem? Eco-friendly sunglasses.
They created a pair of shades that would float when falling into the water (because how many of us have dropped our sunglasses in the water? ππ½ββοΈ). Even if you weren’t able to get your sunglasses out of the water, the shades would eventually decompose. Made of natural wood and TAC, these shades shouldn’t contribute to the problem of plastic pollution throughout the ocean and on beaches.
Ok, but how are these eco-friendly sunglasses?
The Lani Shades website has the complete breakdown of the sunglasses, but here are the basics:
-The frames are made from wood. Lani Shades has different collections using three types of wood. The gist is that when the sunglasses fall into the water, they float. The wood is a perfect, natural option that looks stylish, is durable, light, and floats. The wood frames are made in China, but the website specifically says that each one is handmade by a craftsman.
I always take caution in buying anything from China. But I feel a little better knowing that this company most likely supports a small group of handcrafters in China, as opposed to large corporations. Read more about the frames here.
-The lenses: This is where things get pretty technical. The lenses are made from TAC, which is an organic biodegradable polymer film. The TAC lenses could be considered plastic, so Lani Shades has a plan for that too. When your sunglasses reach the end of their life, you can send them back to Lani Shades. They repurpose the lenses, meaning less waste in the ocean. Meanwhile, you get 25% off your next pair of sunglasses from Lani Shades. Win win. Read more about the lenses here.
What is the company doing to give back?
You all know I love the word kuleana. I have a whole post dedicated to it. I also wrote a chapter about it in my book, “Aloha State of Mind.” Kuleana is “responsibility,” and Lani Shades takes their responsibility to care for the ‘aina very seriously.
Lani Shades supports “One Tree Planted.” For each pair of sunglasses sold, Lani Shades donates to have a tree planted.
Another thing I love about this company is that they try to keep things local. Instead of selling through big corporations and businesses like Amazon, they sell their products in local boutiques, craft markets, and through their online website. This ensures that Lani Shades can keep their prices lower and offer discounts to their customers.
If you’re like me and love supporting small, local businesses, Lani Shades is definitely the way to go.
Where can I get a pair?
Order a pair at the Lani Shades website or visit their store at Waikiki.
What is my honest review of the Lani Shades sunglasses?
I have yet to receive my pair in the mail. When I do receive and try it out, I will update this article with my honest review and photographs. So far I am very impressed with the values of Lani Shades to stay eco-friendly and make as little of an impact on the environment as possible. A lot of thought and detail has been put into every aspect of the Lani Shades sunglasses, from creation to marketing and selling.
I look forward to sharing my insights and photos with you. Please stay tuned!
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