Eco-Innovation: Where Style Meets Substance
The Childe Eyewear collections epitomize the synthesis of ecological integrity and high-end design. Utilizing plant-based and bio-acetate materials, we ensure that every piece of eyewear reflects our steadfast commitment to eco-responsible fashion.
Childe Eyewear use a variety of eco-friendly materials in our eyewear frames, lenses and packaging, showcasing our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
By integrating these advanced bio-based materials, Childe Eyewear not only upholds high standards of quality and durability but also aligns with its eco-friendly ethos, reducing the carbon footprint of its products and supporting sustainable material sourcing.
Here’s a detailed look at the materials and suppliers we use for our Childe eyewear frames and lenses:
Eco Sensitive FRAME materials for you and the planet
The use of premium Mazzucchelli M49 Bio Acetate Hand Made frames and the EMS Greenline Grivory plant based mould injected frames for the Childe WiLDe and Childe Aquatic sunglass collections is our ongoing commitment to reducing environmental impact while delivering high-quality and stylish eyewear for you.
Lets get to know the suppliers and their eco sensitive materials that we use at Childe:-
Childe Eyewear made from Mazzucchelli M49 Bio Acetate
Mazzucchelli 1849 is a leading Italian company in the eyewear materials market, especially in the high-end segment. Mazzuchelli is committed to being the primary reference for those in the eyewear sector, driven by a need to innovate continually not just in design and aesthetics, but crucially in materials and manufacturing processes.
M49 Bio Acetate is a testament to Mazzucchelli’s forward-thinking strategy. By integrating cellulose with acetic anhydride and then employing a vegetable-based plasticizing solution, M49 maintains the desirable physical and mechanical characteristics necessary for premium eyewear production while significantly boosting its sustainability profile.
This bio-acetate is specifically designed to be environmentally friendly, made from renewable sources, and offers a number of advantages over traditional petroleum-based acetate.
The CHILDE Hand Made Bio Acetate Eyewear frames are made from Italian Mazzucchelli M49 Bio-Acetate made from organic compounds of wood and cotton pulp fibres. This pioneering material developed by Mazzucchelli, the renowned Italian company with a long history in the crafting of high-quality acetate.
This premium organic M49 bio-acetate is built to last a lifetime as eyewear but is also 100% bio-degradable and recyclable under controlled industrial bio-degradation conditions of International standard ISO 14855 and compostable by the ISO 17088 standard.
Unlike traditional acetate, bio-acetate is free from harmful phthalates and plasticizers, making it safer for both the environment and the wearer.
Composition and Sustainability
M49 Bio Acetate is composed of cellulose diacetate, which itself is derived from wood and cotton fibers. These natural and renewable sources are key to its biodegradability. Unlike standard acetate, M49 Bio Acetate does not contain plasticizers based on phthalates, making it more eco-friendly and reducing the presence of harmful chemicals.
Environmental Impact
One of the standout features of M49 Bio Acetate is its ability to biodegrade under industrial composting conditions. This means that it can break down significantly in environments with high humidity and microbial activity, which is less likely in typical landfill conditions but possible in controlled composting facilities. By shifting towards materials like M49 Bio Acetate, Childe Eyewear is reducing its environmental footprint by utilizing materials that can return to the earth and reduce waste.
Advantages in Eyewear Production
Mazzucchelli Supplier facts
Mazzucchelli has deep roots dating back to 1849 when Santino Mazzucchelli established a small factory in Italy to produce combs and buttons from natural materials. Over the past 175 years, this small operation has expanded into a global leader, renowned for its sophisticated production and distribution of cellulose acetate granules and sheets, predominantly used in the eyewear market.
From its early adoption of celluloid, the first thermoplastic, to its transition to cellulose acetate and other polymers such as polystyrene, ABS, and PVC, Mazzucchelli has continually adapted and innovated to stay at the forefront of material technology. This adaptability has allowed it to respond effectively to the dynamic demands of markets and technologies over nearly two centuries.
Focusing primarily on cellulose acetate since the early 1990s, Mazzucchelli has solidified its position as a staple material provider for the eyewear industry. This focus has culminated in the development of their new production facility dedicated to M49 Bio acetate, marking another milestone in their long-standing commitment to innovation and sustainability in eyewear materials.
Mazzucchelli Strategic Eco Investments
To adapt to emerging challenges and seize opportunities, Mazzucchelli is investing in new facilities and technologies, including a new factory and a waste recovery center. These investments aim to enhance production efficiency, integrate the supply chain more closely, and improve waste management practices.
Mazzucchelli's recent decision to build a new factory specifically for the production of M49 Bio acetate is driven by a commitment to heightened sustainability in every aspect of its operations. The new facility is designed to embody this ethos by incorporating several key environmental strategies:
Through these measures, Mazzucchelli reinforces its leadership in the eyewear material production industry by not only focusing on the aesthetic and functional qualities of its products but also ensuring that its manufacturing processes are as sustainable as possible.
Many of the Childe WiLDe sunglass collection are made from EMS Plant-Based Grilamid BTR 600 LS: A high-performance polyamide made of 62% renewable resources derived from plant based castor oil - a renewable resource. This is the alternative we choose as opposed to crude oil based polyamide. EMS is a Swiss company specialising in Green Line Polymers for mould injected eyewear.
Plant-Based Grilamid BTR 600 LS is notable for being lightweight, durable, and resistant to both impacts and temperature variations, making it ideal for both everyday wear and active lifestyle eyewear.
The use of this plant-based material helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with petrochemicals in traditional eyewear manufacturing.
Source of Castor Oil: Castor oil is extracted from the seeds of the castor plant (Ricinus communis), which is typically grown in tropical and subtropical areas. Major producers of castor oil include India, which is the largest producer, followed by China and Brazil. The castor plant is hardy, requiring little water compared to other crops, which makes it a sustainable choice for non-food oil production.
Carbon Footprint Reduction: The use of plant-based Grilamid as opposed to petroleum-based polymers typically results in a lower carbon footprint. This reduction comes from both the absorption of CO2 by the castor plants during their growth and the avoidance of fossil fuel use in production of the polymer material. Replacing traditional plastics with bio-based alternatives reduces carbon emissions significantly.
High Bio-Content: Significant use of renewable resources makes Plant-Based Grilamid BTR 600 LS a sustainable choice within the eyewear industry.
Sustainability: By using renewable materials, Childe reduces the total emissions of climate-damaging gases by up to 75% during production.
Excellent Properties: It exhibits low water absorption, good chemical and weather resistance, high dimensional stability, and a high melting point, making it ideal for crafting high-quality eyewear that withstands various environmental conditions.
Durability and Performance: These materials maintain the functional properties of traditional polymers, offering flexibility, high impact resistance, and low moisture absorption, which are crucial for durable and comfortable eyewear.
EMS’s Environmental Achievements and Evolution to Greener
Swiss company EMS, a key supplier for Childe with its Grilamid Green Line products, showcases an exemplary eco-friendly production model:
Both of these eco considered frame suppliers and their bio materials are chosen not only for their environmental benefits but also for their aesthetic flexibility, allowing for a range of designs and finishes that appeal to different tastes and styles. By utilizing these materials, Childe Eyewear ensures that our products are stylish and functional while also aligning with our mission of reducing environmental impact and sustainability.
_ _
Lenses
Childe Uses plant based nylon Bio Lenses for Ultimate Vision, Comfort, scratch resistance and UV Sun Protection
The Childe Hand Made Bio, Childe WiLDe and Childe Aquatic polarised eyewear collections feature innovative bio lenses made from 39% renewable resources derived from plant based castor oil as opposed to crude oil lenses.
Our premium plant based bio nylon lenses are comfortable to wear, scratch resistant and offer superb light transparency clarity with premium UV sun protection—all while significantly reducing carbon footprints and supporting sustainable resources.
Childe sunglasses offer Category 2 and Category 3 sun lenses across our collection:-
Both of these lenses are UV protective and are suitable for driving.
In Australia, sunglasses and fashion spectacles are regulated under the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1067:2016. This standard specifies requirements and categories for the performance of sunglasses and fashion spectacles, including their lenses. The categories are primarily based on the level of UV protection provided and the amount of light the lenses allow to pass through (visible light transmission, or VLT).
Here’s a breakdown of the categories according to AS/NZS 1067:2016:
Category 0
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Category 4
Each category is designed to ensure that consumers can choose sunglasses that provide appropriate protection and comfort for different lighting conditions.
Sunglasses sold in Australia must be labelled with their lens category and comply with these standards to ensure safety and effectiveness in UV protection. This also ensures that Australian sunglass brands like Childe Eyewear are the best in the world for UV sun protection.
Sustainable Lens Replacement: Wear your Childe for Life
Over a billion pairs of sunglasses are produced each year and a large portion of those end up in landfill each year due to scratched lenses. At Childe we don’t want to contribute to that problem so Childe Eyewear has partnered with the award-winning local Byron Bay company, The Sunglass Fix, to offer a unique lens replacement program that enables a sustainable sunglass lens solution to keep your favourite Childe for Life in pristine condition.
Understanding the rigors of daily life, we appreciate that scratches can happen along the way - whether it’s from cleaning your glasses with a beachy tee or from them tumbling around in a handbag or toolbox. But we don't think a scratch should spell the end for your favourite shades.
Our innovative "Childe for Life" program with The Sunglass Fix ensures that your Childe sunglasses can be enjoyed for a lifetime. This initiative offers free lens replacement for up to 12 months from the date of purchase. After the first year, you can continue to refresh your sunglasses with high-quality, eco-sensitive replacement lenses available at a reasonable cost directly from The Sunglass Fix.
Warranty and Craftsmanship
Childe Eyewear's commitment to durability and customer satisfaction is further underscored by our robust warranty program. The Childe WiLDe plant-based sunglasses frames are protected by a 12-month warranty, while our Hand Made Bio Acetate frames come with a lifetime warranty, reflecting our confidence in their premium quality and sustainable craftsmanship. Designed in Byron Bay and made in Italy, our frames ensure that your eyewear is truly 'Childe for Life.'
For full warranty terms and conditions or to redeem your Replacement Lens Code, please visit Childe Sunglass Replacement Lenses.
_ _
Childe give back to high impact social and environmental action organisations thanks to the support of our customers and friends that purchase Childe Eyewear.
Childe was founded with the concept of producing eco responsible eyewear with innovative style that considers the future is nature and provides a brand platform that creates opportunity to give back to the community.
We launched a capsule collection Love Childe with social welfare organisation
Tell Your Friends You Love Them to strengthen the love between friends and encourage the healthy sharing of emotions to build more open loving relationships.
We have invested over $25,000 into this program to date with the primary objective being to create more open sharing of emotions and support through love.
From this Love Childe collection we also donate proceeds to Humanature.org.au who provide guidance and counselling through adventure therapy to support youth who are homeless or have experienced trauma.
By joining Surf Aid for #Makeawave each September we contribute by raising much needed funds through surfing for our friends in remote parts of Indonesia. Surf Aid via Make a Wave provides clean water, sanitisation and medical supplies for people in third world countries.
We align and support ocean environmental organisations Surfers for Climate and Surfrider.org by giving them products to raise funds required to campaign and make a stand against gas and oil companies to care for the coast and our friends in the sea.
Through consumer purchases Childe buys directly into the Carbon Neutral Plant-a-Tree program in the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor in Western Australia which contributes to socio-economic benefits and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By purchasing from the Carbon Neutral Plant-a-Tree program this contribution helps reduce the impacts of climate change and restore habitat loss for some of our most endangered species in Australia.
We thank you for your support as customers and friends to enable us as a brand to support these important organisations and initiatives.
We welcome you into our Childe Familia and our eco considered journey to make a positive impact on the future of our generation and planet we inhabit.
