Do you know how long it has been for people to cherish recycled vinyl records for their rich sound quality and nostalgic appeal? But as we observed the arrival of the digital music era, the old records lost their places physically. But they are still residing in the hearts of music lovers. Fortunately, many industries including the eyewear fashion industry come up with many innovative solutions by repurposing these records into something stylish. As a result, eco friendly eyewear arrived on the market. And today, the glasses made up of vinyl records are dominating the market with a blend of sustainability with style. Let’s learn more about them today. 

The growing need for sustainable fashion 

As per the studies, the fashion industry including the eyewear brands has been one of the major environmental waste producers. Hence, the very first need to introduce recycled glasses was to clean the image of the industry as non-sustainable. As the eyewear fashion industry has come up with innovative sustainable glasses, it has proven its growing concern about pollution and environmental degradation. 

Also, today’s aware consumers look for greener alternatives in the market. They want to buy products that align with your values. By introducing eyewear made up of old records, the eco-conscious brands have presented a unique opportunity to reduce waste while offering stylish and durable fashion accessories to the people.

How vinyl records are recycled into eyewear?

The process of vinyl recycling is a meticulous one that involves collecting ethically sourced sustainable materials from trusted sources and then giving them the shapes of frames. Let’s understand the process in detail below: 

Collection and sorting 

What do you think happens with the old records lying here and there in landfills, thrift stores, record shops, etc.? The environmentally conscious brands like Vinylize collect those materials from them. After this, they set on sorting the recycled vinyl records that can be repurposed to make glasses. To define so, they consider two factors: one- the material should be contaminant-free and the other- no excessive damage should be there. 

Cleaning and preparation

The records that brands get from the sources are sometimes not in proper condition. That’s why, they start with cleaning them thoroughly to remove any kind of dust, dirt, or any remaining labels or adhesives. From this part of cleaning, the ultimate raw material produced is free from impurities before being used for final processing.

Cutting and shaping

After cleaning the records, they are cut into eyewear frame templates. The eco-conscious brands use precision cutting techniques to retain the natural, iconic grooves of the vinyl to keep its original charm. This gives a natural aesthetic to the eco-friendly glasses.

Molding and assembly 

In the 4th step of vinyl recycling, the cut vinyl pieces are heated and molded into the desired eyewear shapes. The brands hire skilled artisans who use high-tech machine processes to assemble the frames with high-quality hinges and lenses.

Finishing touches 

To provide the best comfort and durability of recycled glasses, they are polished, smoother, and tested properly. One can find original record labels in some designs that make it a truly one-of-a-kind accessory.

The benefits of vinyl-based eyewear 

When environmentally conscious consumers make informed choices of purchasing classes made up of recycled vinyl records, they can enjoy many advantages:

Eco-friendliness 

By getting yourself a pair of vinyl glasses, you are preventing the waste from coming up in landfills or being incinerated. The latter process can result in the release of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. However, by promoting such eco-friendly, sustainable eyewear fashion brands, one can significantly reduce environmental impact.

Unique style 

With every pair of eco-friendly eyeglasses, you will get a distinct feature of the natural grooves and patterns that make them truly unique. For an artistic touch, the vinyl glasses have a retro appeal. Hence, these eyewear are perfect for music lovers and eco-conscious fashion enthusiasts alike.

Lightweight and durable

Despite their origins, the vinyl glasses are surprisingly lightweight and durable. So if you want to purchase comfortable eyewear, these are one of the perfect choices. Also, the frames of these glasses are very strong enough that they can easily withstand daily wear and tear of life while remaining stylish and functional.

Ethical fashion choice 

The eyewear fashion brands that specialize in vinyl recycling follow ethical production practices. Not only this, but they also make sure to implement fair wages for their laborers and provide them with safe working conditions. When you support these brands, you serve as one of their biggest motivations, promoting sustainable fashion practices globally.

Conclusion 

The art of making eco-friendly glasses is a perfect example of how industries can make products by taking sustainability and style hand in hand. By giving discarded old records the form of a functional, fashionable accessory, a distinctive fashion statement market is on its way to rule the industry.