Metals

Metals are one of the few raw materials that are easily recycled, without damaging their original properties. Unlike plastic, metal is a naturally occurring resource, meaning that there is a finite amount of metal on the planet. The main metals we use in eyewear are titanium and aluminium. Although these are not naturally occurring ores, they are made from a combination of ores, mined from the ground. The process to form these metals is an expensive and produces a lot of carbon dioxide. It’s estimated that recycling of a tonne of aluminium saves nine tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere!

The process to turn your old baked bean can into a stylish pair of glasses starts in the recycling facility. The metal is initially stored and cleaned, then crushed into a denser state. The crushed metal is then melted and formed into flat sheets. These sheets are then used to be formed into your new pair of glasses.