Briefly: These sunglasses may make you look good, but they could make the planet look better, too — because rather than plastic, their frames are made from flax and hemp.
The brainchild of Sam Whitten, these shades are part of a new line called Hemp Eyewear and are made from a hemp-flax fibre composite. Whitten explains that his ‘research into hemp and its possible applications led to the discovery of hemp and flax fibre composite sheet material which are impregnated with an eco friendly binder.’
Perfect, it turns out, for making sunglasses (as well as, uh, scooters). The frames are simply compressed and moulded under heat, then cured and treated with an eco-friendly bio resin to add waterproofing and a little extra strength. You can register your interest in snagging a pair here, but there’s currently no word on pricing. [Hemp Eyewear via Design Boom]