For some time now, our daily choices have been significantly influenced by the urgent necessity to change our habits, shifting attention from the immediate satisfaction of our needs and pleasures to the impact that every single gesture could have on the ecosystem. From food to clothing, we feel (and are) increasingly aware that the changes taking place in terms of the climate and environment now depend solely on us. As such, many eyewear companies are making serious efforts to make their production responsible and sustainable by adopting various strategies. However, while once it was just a marketing operation to try to win over a niche clientele, now the widespread understanding of the need to safeguard our planet's now fragile balance has led to more radical and profound choices. One example are those of Mykita (in the opening photo), the Berlin-based company that, first of all, completely revolutionised its production process in 2022, deciding to make its glasses in Eastman Acetate Renew, a cellulose diacetate composed of 60% bio-based and 40% certified recycled content coming in part from eyewear production scraps. This material is made through Eastman’s innovative carbon renewal technology, reducing greenhouse gases. It is virtuous process that supports a circular economy, a topic also covered in a short film recently shot by Mykita x Eastman Acetate Renew. The company's extraordinary commitment is also reflected in other initiatives, such as Mycare, a service for customers available in all Mykita stores around the world, which is dedicated to caring for and repairing the brand's frames, to thereby extend their lives, avoiding unnecessary waste.

In the blink of an eye, we have gone from egocentrism to ecocentrism, which focuses on concepts such as sustainability and circularity, ethical principles that are also essential for the brand 23° Eyewear, which grew out of a collaboration between Mirage and the Russo studio. In the models of the Icon collection, 23° Eyewear has introduced the new Stratosphair, a polarised technical lens with internal anti-reflective treatment, specially designed by Barberini for performance in the mountains, at high altitude. For those who want to stay in the city, Emporio Armani Eyewear offers its unmistakable urban style, but with the added value of sustainability. Its prescription frames and sunglasses are made of bio-acetate and come with recycled polyester packaging (about 50% of the content is recycled). Each model also bears the inscription "Armani Sustainability Values".

The temple tips of the Earthkeepers models of Timberland Eyewear specify the percentage of bio-based material with which they are made (minimum 35%), in line with the eco-sustainable strategy also adopted by the brand for its clothing, before everyone else started. The keyword that best translates companies' current responsible attitude is "Change". We can find it in the short film by Mykita and, preceded by the adjective "sustainable", it has been even incorporated into the Emporio Armani logo. The change being heralded is real and certainly not easy, and it does not allow for superficial attitudes. Not any more. It is no coincidence that new words have recently been coined to better define the ecological discomfort we are currently experiencing, such as eco-grief.