The 17 Best Eco-Friendly Sunglasses in 2023

This page may include affiliate links for the Amazon Associate program, which means the owner of this site will earn money from any qualifying purchases you make from clicking on an Amazon link.

Eco-friendly sunglasses are set to become one of the biggest fashion trends in 2023.

In years past, the most important features for a good pair of shades included polarized lenses and UV400 protection.

Obviously, style points are always important.

But over the past few years, sunglasses that are environmentally friendly have really taken the forefront. As more and more people prioritize living sustainable lifestyles, expect to see an increase in these fashionable – and eco-friendly – shades.    

And there’s more good news.

Dozens of sunglass manufacturers have been listening to the growing number of customers who want eco-friendly, sustainable options.

So, if you’re joining the ranks of environmentally-conscious wearers, here are the 16 best shades to choose from in 2023.

If you don’t mind, we’re going to start with our own.

We designed our environmentally friendly sunglasses with comfort, fashion, and affordability in mind.

But we also wanted to make long-term sustainability a guiding priority for our brand, which is why we make our stylish shades from recycled plastic.

That’s not the only reason to love these shades, either.

Runners Sunglasses come with a spring-flex hinge and a no-bounce design, ensuring they won’t fall off no matter what you’re doing. And with a lightweight design, you’ll barely no they’re there, even if you decide to wear your shades all day.

They have polarized lenses with UV400 protection and are even fog resistant, so you get a clear, unobstructed view throughout the day.

Currently, our sunglasses come in 25 different sizes, colors, and patters, too. No matter what your personal style is, you’ll find the perfect fair – one that was made from recycled materials.

And not only are they among the cheapest sunglasses on this list, but if you order from the U.S., we’ll throw in shipping for free.

A pair of Colorful Standard sunglasses is another good place to start if you’re looking for eco-friendly shades. These sunglasses are unique because they come in a huge variety of different colors and styles. This makes it very easy to match them with whatever outfit you plan on wearing for the day.

There are options that come in orange, pink, yellow, black, purple, and many other shades. In fact, there are actually more than 300 different variations available, so the only problem you'll have with these glasses is figuring out which one to choose. These glasses aren't just stylish but also very safe for your eyes.

This is because they have UV400 protection to make sure your eyes stay safe and protected even on the sunniest of days.

But what about the sustainable aspect of these eco-friendly shades?

The first thing you should know is that they are made of cellulose acetate which comes from plants.

Another benefit is that while they are completely biodegradable, they are also surprisingly durable and should last you many years. The only downside is that the lenses are not polarized.

And what about the price?

These sunglasses are a bit on the expensive side, around $115 per pair.

However, many people find that the cost is worth it for the amount of style and protection that these sunglasses provide. So, if you're debating between many different types of sunglasses and don't know which to choose, you might as well give Colorful Standard a try.

If you're looking for a pair of affordable eco-friendly sunglasses, then you should also consider Shyne Sustainable Eyeware. This brand is Canadian and the unique thing about its sunglasses is that they are made of completely recycled materials. In particular, they are made of recycled textile waste along with some plastic.

As with the previously mentioned sunglasses brand, this brand also provides UV400 protection. This will ensure that your eyes won't get damaged by the sun's powerful UV rays. It will also protect the delicate skin around your eyes and eyelids.

But there is another benefit to this brand's sunglasses aside from the fact that they’re made from recycled materials.

This unique benefit is that $5 from every pair of sunglasses sold is donated to various charities focused on improving the environment such as those that plant trees and other plants to combat the increasing emission of carbon gas.

While $5 in donations may not sound like a lot, it adds up after hundreds and even thousands of people start to buy these sunglasses.

Another benefit of these sunglasses is that even their packaging is sustainable and recyclable. So, you won't have to worry about any plastic or foam packaging ruining the integrity of these eco-friendly sunglasses.

Finally, yet another great thing about these shades is that they are only $70 per pair. This is a much more affordable option in the realm of eco-friendly sunglasses and it is an agreeable price for most people, no matter your budget. And, of course, there are stylish options for both men and women.

If you would rather shop from a brand established in the United States, look no further than Proof Eyewear.

This brand is manufactured in the state of Idaho and has been producing some very high-quality pieces of eyewear and sunglasses since the very beginning.

Fortunately, if you happen to be outside the United States, don't worry, because you can obtain a pair of these glasses even if you live on another continent.This brand has locations all over the world, including in Peru and India.

Proof Eyewear doesn’t just make its sunglasses out of recycled materials. As with Shyne Sustainable Eyewear, Proof Eyewear also takes it upon itself to donate a small portion of each purchase towards many different good causes. 

In particular, Proof Eyewear tends to donate to vision clinics not only in the United States but also to many different countries around the world.

But what exactly are these sunglasses made of, you might ask?

Mainly, they are made of sustainable FSC-certified wood.

More than that, they also recycle old skateboards and use them in their sunglasses. The resulting glasses are not only stylish but completely eco-friendly. The price for a pair of Proof Eyewear glasses tends to range from $65 to $114.

While this is a bit on the more expensive side, remember that a portion of the money goes to nonprofit organizations. 

Sunski is another very fashionable and eco-friendly sunglasses brand. The unique thing about this brand is that it offers polarized lenses for its sunglasses.

This is something special because many eco-friendly sunglasses don't offer polarized lenses.

While non-polarized lenses still offer you plenty of protection from the sun, polarized lenses offer an extra layer of protection.

In particular, they reflect any sunlight that happens to be shining into your eyes, so you won't need to squint at the sun all day while you're outside. This makes polarized lenses perfect for very sunny days at the beach or even during the winter when the sun's glare off of the snow is nearly unbearable.

Sunski takes a very proactive approach to improve the environment. It does this by taking materials from landfills and recycling them to make its glasses. To make things even better, Sunski does not use any plastic packaging or labels for its products.

This is not to mention that they have donated more than a hundred thousand dollars towards various causes to help the environment. Shopping from this brand online is also very easy. If you aren't sure what option to choose, you can try on different pairs by using their virtual tool. This will give you the chance to see how certain sunglasses will look on your face.

To top it all off, Sunski offers a lifetime warranty for its sunglasses. So, if your sunglasses happen to get damaged, you can send them back to Sunski to repair them, and you'll have your sunglasses back in no time and they'll be as good as new.

Plus, these sunglasses are only $58, so they should be able to fit into anyone's budget.

Sunglasses from Pela are perfect for those looking for a more Bohemian style of shades. These sunglasses are relatively minimalistic, but they come in all sorts of trendy shades that you can match with just about anything. Some even have a slight vintage look if you want to really rock something with a unique style.

Pela doesn't only sell sunglasses, either.

They also offer blue light glasses that, as the name suggests, protect your eyes from the blue lights of your computer, phone, and other devices. Too much blue light may be bad for your eyes and can cause eye strain, so if you want to protect your eyes when using your computer or phone, try Pela's glasses.

As for the brand's sunglasses, you should know that they offer plenty of protection against the sun's harmful UV rays.

But what about the eco-friendly aspect?

You can rest easy knowing that these sunglasses are made out of recycled materials.

More than that, this brand uses far less waste than normal sunglasses companies.

So, this brand is certainly taking a stand against CO2 emissions products in large quantities by companies that are not eco-friendly. A pair of Pela shades only costs $65, so you won't need to break the bank to get a nice pair of sunglasses.

While this brand is based in the United States, shipping around the world is an available option if you happen to live abroad.

If you're looking for a pair of sunglasses that have a bolder look and feel, then you don't need to look any further than a pair from SOLO Eyewear.

This sunglasses brand gives off a modern and adventurous vibe compared to the sunglasses brands previously discussed. Interestingly enough, SOLO Eyewear originated from humble beginnings since it first began as a college hustle. 

However, that college hustle soon became a very successful and eco-friendly sunglasses brand. While the brand still remains relatively small, it is quickly growing and becoming more and more popular among the masses. SOLO Eyewear also has the unique goal of helping those with vision problems. 

To make this goal a reality, this brand is in the habit of donating a whopping 10% of its total revenue to various charities and health centers to help those with vision problems. 

Thanks to this brand's donations, it has been able to help thousands of people with cataracts and other eye problems improve their vision. Besides that, this brand ensures that all of its sunglasses are made of sustainable bamboo along with recycled plastic.

These sunglasses also come in a relatively affordable price range starting at $59 and stretching to $99. This is not to mention that these sunglasses come in many stylish and sleek shades and designs.

What else could you ask for from an eco-friendly sunglasses brand?

Don’t confuse PALA sunglasseswith Pela.

While they might sound similar, PALA sunglasses have a mission of their own and they also make some pretty fantastic eco-friendly sunglasses. The unique thing about this brand is that it is B Corp certified.

What does that mean exactly, you might ask?

A B corporation is a company that has been verified to be environmentally friendly, as well as socially friendly. More than that, B corporations are required to be transparent to the public and legally accountable for their actions.

In short, being B Corp certified is yet another reason to buy from this brand since it shows that the brand is serious about its attempts to keep the environment in good shape.

PALA has a similar goal as SOLO Eyewear: it aims to help those in need of better vision care and treatment. However, PALA helps those with vision problems specifically in Africa.

The brand takes a small portion of its revenue from every pair of its sold sunglasses and donates that portion to various eyecare clinics and facilities in Africa. At the same time, this brand only ever uses recycled acetate for its sunglasses, never plastic.

Keep in mind that the bio-acetate that PALA uses is all biodegradable, so there won’t be any chance that these glasses will stick around in landfills for hundreds of years like plastic glasses can.

These sunglasses range from $100 to $150 dollars and while that is on the more expensive side of things, the great cause that the brand serves makes the price worth it.

If you want to support the environment, as well as women-led businesses at the same time, then Covry is the brand for you.

The unique thing about these sunglasses, besides being eco-friendly, is that they are somewhat of an artisan product. This is because a sense of artistry and design enriches every pair so that they are not only stylish but comfortable. 

In particular, this sustainable brand works with experts who are skilled in the art of crafting not only sunglasses but eyeglasses in general. By nature, this makes Covry sunglasses more unique in terms of structure than many other brands of sunglasses. The extra comfort of these sunglasses comes from the fact that the nose pads are larger and softer.

The arch of the nose bridge is also a different shape and size compared to most ordinary sunglasses.

All these factors combined make these sunglasses exceptionally comfortable since they won't dig into the bridge of your nose or leave little red marks on your skin. These sunglasses are also very good choices for protecting your eyes.

More than that, they are made of acetate derived from plants. The price range for a pair is between $95 and $135.

If you want a pair of sunglasses that is both stylish and progressive, then you should consider getting a pair from Covry.

As the brand namesuggests, Woodzee sunglasses are made out of wood. Besides regular wood, these sunglasses also utilize recycled pieces of old skateboards along with bamboo, making these sunglasses very biodegradable.

This brand also has a unique campaign that allows customers to save on their next new pair of sunglasses, as long as they recycle their old pair. 

These sunglasses aren't only rustic due to their use of wood, but they also come in many different styles and colors. This is not to mention that they're quite durable, as well. The price range on these sunglasses tends to vary quite a lot. 

You might be able to get a pair for only $25 while another pair might cost as much as $240. Whatever the case, this wide price range makes these sunglasses available to a wide range of people. 

MITA sunglassesare made completely out of plastic water bottles, specifically five water bottles per pair of sunglasses. The lenses themselves are all biodegradable and they are quite powerful when it comes to protecting your eyes against the sun's harmful UV rays. In fact, the lenses can protect your eyes 100% from these rays. 

There are also many different color options and styles to choose from for both men and women.

Unfortunately, there is no option for polarized lenses from this sustainable sunglasses company.

Most MITA sunglasses are around $139, but you may occasionally find some other pairs at different price ranges. Whatever the case, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a stylish pair of sunglasses from this brand. Keep in mind that these glasses are also quite lightweight due to the materials they're made of, making them very comfortable and easy to wear all day. 

If you love round sunglasses, then you don't need to look any furtherthan Genusee. This sunglasses brand actually specializes in round sunglasses. Round sunglasses are perfect for those looking for a very unique or even vintage look. 

They also complement different face shapes very well, such as the oval face shape or the square face shape. Both the glasses frames and the lenses come in many different shades and designs, so you can match them with all sorts of outfits. Much like MITA, this brand also uses recycled plastic water bottles to make its sunglasses. 

Instead of using just 5 water bottles, Genusee uses 15 of them. These glasses are also made by hand in Michigan and the brand donates a section of its revenue towards good causes. Most of the sunglasses from this brand are around $99, but some may be slightly more expensive, depending on the model you get. 

If you want to buy some truly unique glasses, then you shouldopt for ECObecause this brand's glasses are made out of castor seed oil.

Castor seed oil is very sustainable and much more biodegradable compared to plastic, making it the perfect alternative, especially for sunglasses. Some of the sunglasses also utilize metal frames and the metal is mostly from recycled sources. 

Some of their sunglasses also are made of recycled plastic scooped out of the oceans where plastic is a serious problem for ocean life.

The price for a pair of ECO glasses is usually around $75. 

Considering the name of this sunglasses brand, it isn't too surprising to know that WearPanda shades are made out of bamboo.

This brand has the unique goal of using a part of its revenue to help those with vision problems around the world. In particular, the money donated from this brand helps people in various countries get free eye exams and glasses to help them see better.

While a pair of these glasses cost $120, that price really isn't that bad considering that this brand offers free shipping for all of its glasses. 

If you have a habit of scratching up or breaking your sunglasses, you should shop fromSticks & Sparrowto keep this problem from happening. This brand is known for not only being eco-friendly but also producing very durable sunglasses. You'll be hard-pressed to try and scratch a pair of these sustainable shades, let alone break them. 

They are also made of all sorts of sustainable and biodegradable materials such as cork, bamboo, acetate from plants, and so on.

The price for a pair of sunglasses ranges from $99 to $395, depending on what make and model you decide to get. 

Bird is yet another B Corp certified company, proving that it has a serious interest in the well-being of the environment. These sunglasses are made of many different eco-friendly materials such as cork, recycled metal, wood, and so on. This brand also has the goal of spreading the use of solar energy in certain countries in Africa. 

This brand offers prescription sunglasses but it, unfortunately, does not offer any polarized lens options.

As for the price, you will find that the majority of the sunglasses for this brand range around $100, although some are a bit cheaper. Whatever the case, these sunglasses certainly have many unique designs and styles. 

Some styleseven use real leaves to create certain designs and colors. So, if you want to treat yourself to a very stylish pair of sunglasses, look no further than Bird. 

Bonnie Clyde uses "biodegradable Cotton Acetate", which is an environmentally-friendly material you can be proud to wear.

While the fashion-forward sunglass company offers a number of fun shades, the Angel model really stands out the most for us.

Its sleek and softly curved wraparound design is great for all matter of activities. Features anti-slip rubber nose pads and ear tips. Their “bio-injected” nylon frame makes for a very comfortable feel across your face.

The UV400 lenses are designed to reduce glare, which makes them the perfect choice for all kinds of activities on sunny days. It also helps that they’re scratch-resistant, so being environmentally-friendly doesn’t mean spending money on shades that won’t hold up.

At Runners, we know that wearing sustainable sunglasses doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune or looking less-than-fashionable just because you want to do your part.

Hopefully, you’ve found some options up above that fit your budget and your style.

If those happen to be one of our popular Runners Sunglasses, great. If not, at least you can pick one that has the same goal of using sustainable materials and helping the environment.