CLEAN + CONSCIOUS AWARDS 2025 PROUDLY PARTNERED WITH
Paper Shades – Paper Shades
BRONZE
Best Zero Waste – Living 2025
$39.00
Paper Shades offers sustainable, stylish sunglasses that are comfortable to wear and travel well. They aim to provide a solution for those who frequently lose or break their sunglasses.
Clean Ingredients / Materials
Made from FSC MIX paper, steel hinges and biodegradable PC lenses.
Ethical Practices
All materials in Paper Shades are recyclable and mostly biodegradable, except for the lenses, which decompose in landfills. Scrap materials from manufacturing are recycled and low-energy methods like die cutting and rivet stamping further minimise the carbon footprint. Packaging consists of a single sheet of kraft paper, eliminating the need for glue. The brand has a longstanding relationship with the factory since 2019, ensuring a safe and happy working environment. The vendor is ISO certified, guaranteeing fair pay and safety compliance and the brand conducts in-line quality checks with every order to verify these claims. The products are made in China.
Sustainable Practices
The product development of Paper Shades adopts a wholistic approach encompassing design, manufacturing and end-of-life considerations. They leverage existing sustainable production methods to adapt designs for established techniques, reducing the carbon footprint and ensuring long-term viability. The sunglasses are crafted from recycled paper, diverting waste from landfills and utilising a renewable resource. Their packaging consists of a single sheet of kraft paper that secures without glues, forming a slim case. The lightweight design allows for conventional mail shipping, minimising carbon footprint, as they can be dispatched in regular envelopes. Additionally, their biodegradable nature ensures minimal environmental impact if lost in nature.
Social Impact
Paper Shades is a small business with aspirations of growth to increase its capacity for giving back. The owner envisions planting a tree for every pair of sunglasses sold, with the ultimate goal of acquiring land to create a nature reserve. The business also aims to support ocean conservation groups to protect marine habitats and provide commercialization support to brands for the design and manufacturing of more holistically sustainable goods.
Product Reviews by Experts
I was surprised when these arrived in the mail. I never thought sunglasses could fit in an envelope. The packaging was clever and minimal and the sunglasses themselves are super lightweight, comfy and fun to wear. I love the funky branding and they fit really well. I love wearing them! (and my kids keep stealing them hahaha)! What impresses me most about Paper Shades is their thoughtful, end-to-end approach to sustainability- from using recycled and FSC-certified paper to minimising their carbon footprint through low-energy manufacturing and ultra-lightweight shipping. They’ve considered every detail of a product’s lifecycle!
They’re fun and lightweight and a great alternative to regular sunglasses. Probably quite good for events I’d imagine. It’s also great the materials are recyclable and biodegradable.
I was very impressed by the originality of this product. Great if your at a festival and lose your glasses, you don’t have to worry about the plastic litter. Very trendy and stylish! One size fits all is great, makes it more accessible. Impressed by biodegradable lenses. I was also very impressed by the manufacturing efforts.
Paper Shades – Paper Shades
$39.00
I was surprised when these arrived in the mail. I never thought sunglasses could fit in an envelope. The packaging was clever and minimal and the sunglasses themselves are super lightweight, comfy and fun to wear. I love the funky branding and they fit really well. I love wearing them! (and my kids keep stealing them hahaha)! What impresses me most about Paper Shades is their thoughtful, end-to-end approach to sustainability- from using recycled and FSC-certified paper to minimising their carbon footprint through low-energy manufacturing and ultra-lightweight shipping. They’ve considered every detail of a product’s lifecycle! They’re fun and lightweight and a great alternative to regular sunglasses. Probably quite good for events I’d imagine. It’s also great the materials are recyclable and biodegradable. I was very impressed by the originality of this product. Great if your at a festival and lose your glasses, you don’t have to worry about the plastic litter. Very trendy and stylish! One size fits all is great, makes it more accessible. Impressed by biodegradable lenses. I was also very impressed by the manufacturing efforts. Paper Shades offers sustainable, stylish sunglasses that are comfortable to wear and travel well. They aim to provide a solution for those who frequently lose or break their sunglasses.
Categories: Best Zero Waste – Living 2025
$39.00
I was surprised when these arrived in the mail. I never thought sunglasses could fit in an envelope. The packaging was clever and minimal and the sunglasses themselves are super lightweight, comfy and fun to wear. I love the funky branding and they fit really well. I love wearing them! (and my kids keep stealing them hahaha)! What impresses me most about Paper Shades is their thoughtful, end-to-end approach to sustainability- from using recycled and FSC-certified paper to minimising their carbon footprint through low-energy manufacturing and ultra-lightweight shipping. They’ve considered every detail of a product’s lifecycle! They’re fun and lightweight and a great alternative to regular sunglasses. Probably quite good for events I’d imagine. It’s also great the materials are recyclable and biodegradable. I was very impressed by the originality of this product. Great if your at a festival and lose your glasses, you don’t have to worry about the plastic litter. Very trendy and stylish! One size fits all is great, makes it more accessible. Impressed by biodegradable lenses. I was also very impressed by the manufacturing efforts. Paper Shades offers sustainable, stylish sunglasses that are comfortable to wear and travel well. They aim to provide a solution for those who frequently lose or break their sunglasses.
Categories: Best Zero Waste – Living 2025
I was surprised when these arrived in the mail. I never thought sunglasses could fit in an envelope. The packaging was clever and minimal and the sunglasses themselves are super lightweight, comfy and fun to wear. I love the funky branding and they fit really well. I love wearing them! (and my kids keep stealing them hahaha)! What impresses me most about Paper Shades is their thoughtful, end-to-end approach to sustainability- from using recycled and FSC-certified paper to minimising their carbon footprint through low-energy manufacturing and ultra-lightweight shipping. They’ve considered every detail of a product’s lifecycle! They’re fun and lightweight and a great alternative to regular sunglasses. Probably quite good for events I’d imagine. It’s also great the materials are recyclable and biodegradable. I was very impressed by the originality of this product. Great if your at a festival and lose your glasses, you don’t have to worry about the plastic litter. Very trendy and stylish! One size fits all is great, makes it more accessible. Impressed by biodegradable lenses. I was also very impressed by the manufacturing efforts. Paper Shades – Paper Shades
Paper Shades offers sustainable, stylish sunglasses that are comfortable to wear and travel well. They aim to provide a solution for those who frequently lose or break their sunglasses.
Categories: Best Zero Waste – Living 2025
I was surprised when these arrived in the mail. I never thought sunglasses could fit in an envelope. The packaging was clever and minimal and the sunglasses themselves are super lightweight, comfy and fun to wear. I love the funky branding and they fit really well. I love wearing them! (and my kids keep stealing them hahaha)! What impresses me most about Paper Shades is their thoughtful, end-to-end approach to sustainability- from using recycled and FSC-certified paper to minimising their carbon footprint through low-energy manufacturing and ultra-lightweight shipping. They’ve considered every detail of a product’s lifecycle! They’re fun and lightweight and a great alternative to regular sunglasses. Probably quite good for events I’d imagine. It’s also great the materials are recyclable and biodegradable. I was very impressed by the originality of this product. Great if your at a festival and lose your glasses, you don’t have to worry about the plastic litter. Very trendy and stylish! One size fits all is great, makes it more accessible. Impressed by biodegradable lenses. I was also very impressed by the manufacturing efforts.You Might Also Like