As ethical eyecare providers Allegro Optical opticians are proud to introduce Sea2See
We all know that plastics pollution has a direct and frequent deadly effect on wildlife. Thousands of seabirds and marine mammals are killed each year, sadly after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. Something needs to be done. Our supermarkets and other retail outlets are already addressing the situation. Many are moving away from plastic carrier bags and packaging.
The accumulation of plastics in our oceans and on our beaches has become a global crisis. It’s now well known that billions of pounds of plastic can be found in the swirling convergences. This now makes up as much as 40 percent of the world’s ocean surfaces. At the current rate of pollution plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050.
THE PLASTIC PROBLEM
We are all surrounded by plastic and it is the single-use packaging we discard which is causing the global problems. During the first decade of this century, in fact, industry produced more plastic than all the plastic in history up to the year 2000. Every year more and more plastic ends up in the world’s oceans. In fact, studies estimate that there are now 15–51 trillion pieces of plastic in the world’s oceans. According to the Center for Biological Diversity there is not one square mile of surface ocean anywhere on earth which is free of plastic pollution.
At Allegro Optical we worry about our environment and our planet. We know many of our clients are environmentally conscious and expect to find products made from ecologically friendly materials. Supporting the sustainable use of resources is something we are passionate about. We are always keen to reduce emissions and provide as many ethical products as we can. We try to source all our frames and lenses as locally and ethically as possible. Many of the frames and lenses we sell are manufactured in the UK, many from environmentally friendly material. Now we are also stocking frames made from recycled plastic. Sea2see is a company that are making fashionable glasses and sunglasses out of recycled plastics from the ocean. They call it “upcycling the ocean.” They have been featured in Vogue, Wallpaper and The Independent to name but a few…
How much plastic?
Every year eight billion k.g. of plastics are thrown into the sea. So Sea2see works in collaboration with many fishing communities to collect sea plastic and discarded fishing gear. Working with the fishing industry Sea2see collect ten tons of abandoned gear in Spain each month. They then separate it, wash it and develop it. They then turn it into glasses and sunglasses that are 100% made in Italy.
Saving the seas in Saddleworth and Holmfirth
Our regular readers will know all about our love of local producers and suppliers. Likewise they will also know that we like to protect our planet. From the low impact Hemp Eyewear, the hand made natural cotton-based acetate frames from David Green. Many of our frames are biodegradable. Even the award winning Bird eyewear are made with environmentally friendly wood frames.
By stocking our frame selection responsibly we are helping our planet and respecting our environment. Where possible we are reducing air miles by sourcing British made frames and in turn our carbon footprint. In doing this we are also supporting the British economy. Not a bad decision in what can be described as a particularly difficult and uncertain time for the UK.
We care about your eyecare and eyewear
So when you visit Allegro Optical Opticians you can not only be sure that you will receive first-class eye care. We can guarantee it won’t cost you the Earth. If you would like to try ethical eyewear call Greenfield on 01457 353100 or Meltham on 01484 907090
