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New in our stores - Zeal Optics!

Here's something new you'll find in our stores - Zeal Optics sunglasses! What sets these sunglasses apart from the crowd is their use of plant-based materials for both lenses and frames. And during the month of April, for each pair of sunglasses sold, Zeal is partnering with Plastic Oceans International to clean 1000 square feet of coastline for a year. Now that's an incentive!

Zeal Optics sunglasses are made for outdoor fun and adventure. It was founded in 1997 by Michael and Wink Jackson, pro mountain bike racers. Their company focused on tough, tech-driven sunglasses and goggles for rugged mountain sports. In 2010, they sold Zeal to Maui Jim who added a focus on sustainability with plant-based materials and created the first zero-waste optics lab on the planet. Today, Zeal is a member of 1% for the Planet and donates 1% of their gross sales to environmental organizations.

Most sunglasses are made with plastic lenses and frames based on petroleum products. Zeal is committed to using renewable resources and eliminating the use of fossil fuels in their manufacturing process. The Castor Bean is the star of the show. Z-Resin is derived from castor oil and replaces traditional plastics in their sunglass frames and lenses. The Castor Bean plant does not compete with food crops and can be planted in places where other plants cannot grow. With Z-Resin, Zeal uses significantly less energy in the manufacturing process, reducing their carbon dioxide emissions.

Zeal's Ellume Polarized lenses provide crisp clear vision with natural colors and greater contrast. Their lenses are built to filter specific wavelengths of visible light by reducing harmful high-energy blue light (HEV) by 95%+ providing vivid color and added depth perception. Reflected light and UV exposure can cause glare, eye fatigue and sensitivity. Ellume Polarized lenses eliminate 99.9% of glare and blocks 100% of harmful UVA/B/C rays helping to protect your eyes from long term damage.  These lenses are found on all the Zeal sunglasses you'll find at Whole Earth. And most can be made into prescription sunglasses. Check the specs.

Last year, Shades for Seas cleaned 12,545,000 feet of coastline for a year. Zeal's partner in this endeavor is Plastic Oceans International. It's a US-based non-profit organization working to end plastic pollution and to foster sustainable communities worldwide. Their work focuses on education, activism, advocacy and science. Through projects that embrace circular economic principles, they're working to inspire action that can lead to changes in consumer behavior, corporate practices and public policy. Together, these changes will lead to a reduction in plastic pollution, an increase in regenerative communities, and a healthier and more equitable planet for all.

So if you're in need of new sunglasses, we hope you'll consider Zeal Optics. Their sunglasses are tough, made for outdoor adventure, offer excellent protection for your eyes, and they're available in fun styles and colors.