Colorado-based Zeal Optics has introduced the Re-Shred Goggle Initiative, a comprehensive commitment to winter sports goggles with a minimum of 70 percent recycled content in all goggle frames and straps under the motto “Reduce. Reuse. Re-Shred.”
“As a brand rooted in a love of the outdoors, we believe that every innovation should echo our dedication to protecting wild places, and we’re excited to announce these new materials are in all of our goggles as of this season,” said Mike Lewis, Senior Director of Global Marketing at Zeal Optics.
As part of Zeal’s commitment to continually reduce the environmental footprint of all its products and processes, Re-Shred includes several key measures to fulfill this commitment with its 2023/24 goggles and beyond:
- Zeal Optics’ goggle frames are made from 100 percent recycled TPU and PC/ABS. The softer parts of the goggle frames are made from recycled TPU, commonly used in footwear, while the harder Rail Lock System frames are made from 100 percent recycled PC/ABS, widely used in electronics.
- Zeal’s goggle straps are made from at least 70 percent recycled PET derived from recycled water bottles. In addition, the eyewear bags are made from recycled PET, mainly sourced from single-use water bottles.
- Zeal has eliminated all plastic from the packaging of its goggles to minimize waste. The goggles are packaged in paper boxes with cellulose inserts, similar to egg cartons, making the entire packaging recyclable.
- Zeal Optics uses FSC-certified paper for its catalogs and printed materials. Soy-based ink is used for printing, which degrades four times faster than petroleum-based ink and is easier to remove from recycled paper.
The Re-Shred program represents the culmination of more than 10 years of work to bring Zeal’s goggle materials in line with those of its sunglasses, which use plant-based, recycled or recyclable materials for all of its sunglass frames and Ellume Polarized lenses.
Learn more about Zeal’s Re-Shred initiative at www.zealoptics.com.
