Sustainability

How we define sustainability

At Pala Eyewear, we invest in sustainable and ethical practices because this is at the very heart of our beliefs. It matters! We aim to make the most eco-friendly choices for our eyewear to minimise our impact on the environment, from our small-batch manufacturing to eco-friendly materials and packaging.

Sustainability can mean different things to different people depending on your perspective. To be a ‘sustainable business,’ our definition is to follow sustainable practices that support ecological, human, economic health and vitality. For Pala, the UN Sustainable Development Goals provide the ideal guiding light for us to make the best decisions as a business.

If we take the broader definition of sustainability, it is the maintenance of an ecological balance in production, lifestyle and everything in between. Sustainability presumes that resources are finite, and therefore an inevitable requirement is to protect those resources so future generations can enjoy them.

The decisions we make today have long-term consequences on those that follow.

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

UN World Commission on Environment and Development

How Pala approaches sustainability

Pala’s vision is captured by our brand perspective of ‘See the world better.’ As an ethical sunglasses brand, the materials we use, the way we design, manufacture, create social welfare and promote workers’ rights.

We have always strived towards a philosophy of making small but positive changes. We also have learned that we can’t be perfect from day one. It’s a journey.

We are already impacting the environment by the very nature of being a manufacturer. It is about taking steps to be more sustainable when and where we can. Innovate, listen and improve.

 

Walk the walk...

  • 59.1
    tonnes of Co2 offset through 115 Wonderbox cookstoves to families in Uganda and Rwanda. Improving Co2 emissions and health.
  • 4.72
    tonnes of plastic prevented from going to landfill or being burned in Ghana thanks to our recycled plastic cases.
  • 12,080
    rainforest trees protected through our partnership with One Tribe. This is the equivalent of sequestering 1,891t on carbon.
  • 70
    tree's planted in Madagascar also through our partnership with One Tribe.
  • 54%
    less Co2 is emitted from bio-acetate over it's lifetime in comparison to a traditional plastic glasses frame.
  • 675
    old frames collected from customers to be down cycled into nuts, bolts and road cones by TerraCycle.
sustainable energy wind farm

Eco-friendly materials

We have spent many years focusing on the materials we use. Looking towards more eco-friendly materials solutions. Our move to using only bio-acetate sunglasses and recycled black acetate for our frames was a critical step. Our packaging has always been plastic-free, and we believe they should be for all fashion brands.

How we work with the waste from production is our next big challenge. We already have solutions in place – we’ll take back old frames in the UK, but there is a lot more scope for a more circular economy within the eyewear industry. It needs better collaboration for this to take shape.

 

Who we work with

Our supply chain is core to our business. Building relationships with the fantastic people who bring our products to life sharing our sustainable story together. We have a Code of Conduct with all first-tier suppliers, and we maintain regular contact.  The talented women that weave our sunglasses cases in Bolgatanga, their story is truly one of hope and dials in on supporting human and economic health.

We joined the B Corp movement in 2020 as the natural step of our journey to doing more for people and the planet, commit to transparency and hold to our sustainable values. Our story evolves, and we continue to make those small positive changes.

 

The UN Sustainable Development goals

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a blueprint for ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for both people and the planet by 2030.

As a business, we believe that our decision-making should always prioritise minimizing our impact on the planet and maximizing our positive impact on people to achieve these goals. We continually assess our alignment with several SDGs, outlining our commitments here to provide transparency and accountability.

Click the ‘+’ sign to learn more about how we align our business practices with the SDGs.