Coral Eyewear launches products using Econyl regenerated nylon

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Oct 15, 2020

Coral Eyewear has become the first UK-based company to create a launch an eyewear collection made with regenerated nylon.

Using a material that has been previously pioneered in fashion and sportswear, the sustainability focused start-up said the launch sets out a new path for circularity in the eyewear industry. 

The Endangered collection features six unisex designs which can be tailored with prescription lenses. Each frame has been crafted with Econyl regenerated nylon, a product that is made from waste and is billed as infinitely recyclable.  

Coral Eyewear co-founder George Bailey said: “We’ve seen widespread adoption of Econyl and other recycled materials in fashion, swimwear and sportswear for a number of years. The eyewear industry needs to take inspiration from fashion brands such as Tala, Veja and Patagonia in implementing sustainable business models. We’ve focused on developing designs which challenge the multinational brands on aesthetic and performance, whilst simultaneously setting out a new path for circularity and sustainability in the eyewear industry.”

The products come with a recycled plastic case and are shopped in recyclable tubes. Additionally, Coral Eyewear will launch a frame recycling scheme next year in a bid to “close the loop” on waste within the eyewear industry. All frames in the Endangered collection come with a 2 year-guarantee and after this period they can be returned to Coral Eyewear and Aquafil for recycling.

Giulio Bonazzi, chairman and CEO of Econyl creator Aquafil, said: “Nylon waste for me is not something to be disposed of, but a fantastic resource. We have a responsibility to look beyond our manufacturing and we encourage our brands to consider what happens at the end of their products use in the way Coral Eyewear are doing”.

The new eyewear brand is backed by BT Sport presenter and host of chart-topping High-Performance Podcast Jake Humphrey, who became an investor after meeting 20-year-old George Bailey at the University of East Anglia earlier this year.

The Endangered Collection is available for purchase online and in selected independent opticians from this month.