Marchon Eyewear has partnered with Eastman to reduce plastic waste

Marchon Eyewear is the latest eyewear designer and manufacturer to move to a more sustainable eyewear model by partnering with US-based materials company Eastman to produce and sell frames using Eastman’s fully sustainable Acetate Renew product.

“We are very proud to announce our partnership with Eastman,” said Nicola Zotta, president of Marchon Eyewear. “As the first eyewear manufacturer to collaborate with Eastman, this relationship will be beneficial for us, as it will significantly reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining our commitment to safety and sustainability without compromising the quality of our frames.”

Through Eastman’s innovative recycling technology, capable of recycling some of the most complex plastic waste, including non-polyester plastics and mixed plastics, the scrap from Marchon’s manufacturing can be diverted from landfills and used to produce new sustainable acetate for premium eyewear. Acetate Renew is made from bio-based and certified-recycled materials, said the companies in a joint press statement. “Typically, 80% of material used in sheet acetate frame production is scrap. Instead of being landfilled, the scrap will now be returned to Eastman and recycled into new material, creating a circular production process.”

“This collaboration with Marchon marks a significant milestone for advancing a circular economy for the eyewear industry,” said Scott Ballard, vice president of Eastman Specialty Plastics.

Marchon’s new sustainable frames will be launched in 2021.