(Trademark).405808bf.png&w=3840&q=75)
Good Citizens
Good Citizens turns discarded single-use plastic bottles into stylish, thoughtfully made sunglasses. One 600ml bottle makes one pair of frames. Each pair comes with lenses made by Carl Zeiss Vision.
Our commitment
Good Citizens was born over a family dinner. Our kids, Harry (8) & Archie (6), were upset about the plastic waste piling up in the world. They hassled us to step up and together (with no experience), we hatched a plan to help untrash the planet. We make modular eyewear frames from discarded single-use plastic bottles in Sydney. The frames are 100% recycled and recyclable. The design is modular so each part is repairable and the hinge clip colour can be changed to match your mood, your nail varnish or the swoosh on your sneakers. The glasses are carbon negative and every sale funds the removal of plastic trash from the ocean as a gift to the planet.
Our Sustainability Framework
What is your company doing to reduce your emissions or combat key environmental issues (e.g. waste (packaging, end of life product strategy or recycling), biodiversity, land use, water, chemical use, energy use, and natural resource use etc.)?
By only using recycled plastic, we use around 70-75% less CO2 in our production. Our award-winning design means that each part is made in 70 seconds and do not require the hours of tumbling, polishing and finishing that most sunglasses require to be ready for sale; again, saving energy. Despite using less energy, we lock away double the carbon we use for every pair. As our frames are 100% recycled PET with nothing else mixed in, they are also recyclable. Because the design is modular, if a part breaks it can be replaced at home, keeping the frames out of landfill and back on your face in no time.
Learn more →How are the products your company offers made from environmentally friendly materials (e.g. recycled, organic materials)?
The frame is made from 100% recycled PET plastic, including the specially designed hinge. There are no metal components and no other materials mixed. Our commitment to using only 100% recycled materials for our frames means every step from design to manufacture has been problematic, but this hasn’t stopped us. All packaging is also made from recycled materials including the sunglasses case.
Learn more →Do you partner with ethical factories that meet international labor standards? What processes have you implemented to make your supply chain more sustainable?
We make our frames in Sydney, Australia so we can ensure that no one nor the planet is harmed. We have 100% visibility on the manufacturing process.
Learn more →How does your company give back to the community (e.g. financial donations, volunteering, partnerships etc.)?
As well as the bottles we keep out of landfill and the oceans for our manufacturing, we remove plastic waste from the ocean with every pair we sell and each pair is carbon negative. We lock away 10kg of carbon per pair which is double what we use.
Learn more →How has your company made a commitment to achieve and maintain inclusion & diversity (e.g. Gender / Race / Ethnicity / National Origin / Sexual Orientation / Religion / Disability / Age)?
Our glasses are Australian made. We are committed to manufacturing onshore. At this stage, we are a family business but plan for inclusion and diversity as we grow.
How does your circular model or circular initiative work?
We offer a take back service. If a frame part breaks, you can send back the broken part to us for recycling for free and we'll send you out a new one in the mail so you can fix your sunnies yourself at home.
Learn more →
Get exclusive access and information about competitions