Native Eyewear Makes Strides to Minimize Environmental Impact

In recognition of Earth Day, Native Eyewear, a genuine outdoor performance eyewear brand with two new collections, shares its innovation in environmentally friendly production and a new partnership with The 5 Gyres Institute, a non-profit dedicated to finding solutions for a plastic-free ocean. Steering away from petroleum-based plastics, Native carefully selects materials with Mother Earth’s well being in mind, from castor-based resin sunglass and goggle frames to protective cases made with recycled water bottles to packaging made with recycled cardboard and soy-based inks.

“Native is committed to being mindful about where we’re integrating plastics in product production,” said Kate Heckman, Director of Marketing at Native Eyewear. “But we’re also hoping to do our part and support organizations, like 5 Gyres, who are working to eliminate the negative effects plastics are having on the environment.”

Native will be sponsoring and outfitting the 5 Gyres ambassador program as well, which consists of an exclusive group of individuals helping to relay the 5 Gyres message through grassroots efforts. In hopes to influence product design, ambassadors have access to the most recent knowledge related to plastic pollution and will act as catalysts for change.

Born of the Earth

With its line of sunglasses and snow goggles made for the outdoor adventurer, Native employs an environmentally sustainable method that uses oil from the castor bean. The caster-derived and biodegradable resin is used in both the sunglass and goggle frames, and offers a purity unrivaled by traditional ABS resin. These frames are not only more resilient and durable than petroleum but will biodegrade in three to five years in traditional landfill conditions, compared to the 10,000 years of most standard plastics.

Additionally, the castor resin offers a superior strength-to-weight ratio, creating some of the lightest, strongest and most earth friendly eyewear on the market.

A Complete Package

A respect for preserving our natural world was engineered into almost every aspect of Native Eyewear. For example, Native utilizes recycled cardboard in product packaging. And for the goggle line that will be launched in August, all goggles will come in The Fort goggle case, a highly functional and fully reusable storage solution that can be used for toting smaller necessities and outdoor gear. This eliminates the need for wasteful packaging, which will protect gear just as much as it will protect the earth.

New This Year

With Native’s love of the outdoors, it offers seven new styles as part of its 2016 Sunglasses Collection and will launch a 2016-17 Goggle Collection in early fall. Built for the backcountry, the snow goggles all feature SnowTuned lenses, Super Anti-Fog Coating and superior ventilation – all requirements when making turns out of bounds.

About Native Eyewear: To live in the spirit of Native is to live the life you want to live – not the one you have to live. It’s pursuing your adventures with the best gear, the right companions, and a free spirit, tempered only by an enduring respect for the world that is your playground. Learn more about Native Eyewear at nativeyewear.com.