Pala Eyewear is a sustainable and ethical eyewear company who make make their frames, as of 2020 onwards, from bio-acetate and work with weaving communities in Ghana to produce handmade protective cases.
Pala work closely with international charity Vision Aid and for every pair of sunglasses sold, the company give to eye care programmes in Africa by providing grants to vision centres, dispensaries and screening programmes.
The also work alongside a Ghanaian based NGO called Care4basket to support weaving communities to make sunglasses cases. Woven using traditional methods utilising otherwise wasted plastic, they provide a trade and an income to help the communities empower themselves and uphold a weaving tradition. By utilising recycled plastic, the weavers get ready access to material, rather than the seasonal traditional straw, which offers the chance for a more regular income throughout the year. Each gorgeous case is labelled by hand with the name of the weaver that created it.
Sustainability specs:
– Sustainable and ethical
– Recycled acetate style made from wasted factory offcuts
– From 2020 onwards, all new styles are made from bio-acetate which is made from cotton wood fibres with oil-based plasticisers
– Vegan and cruelty free
– Packaging and stationery is made from FSC certified paper stock
– In store merchandise displays made from upcycled timber and recycled cardboard
– Carbon offset shipping
By designing long-lasting eyewear whilst creating tangible change, we walk the talk of a sustainable fashion future putting people and the planet before profits.
Nadine is the founder and editor of Eco Edition and founder of the Eco Edition Design School. She’s an experienced interior designer, sustainable materials consultant, speaker and serial home renovator.