Dragon Eyewear Commits To Producing All New Injected Eyewear Products With Eco-Friendly, Plant-Based Resin Material
10th July 2019
Dragon Eyewear, a globally recognized performance eyewear brand with deep ties to the action sports world, today announced the launch of their new, eco-friendly, plant-based resin eyewear offering.
Beginning this Fall 2019, all new and key carryover injected sunglasses and ophthalmic frames will be produced using the bio-based material, further asserting the brand’s commitment to social responsibility and bringing more sustainable practices to the brand’s eyewear business.
“As Dragon continues to develop products that enhance an active and outdoor-oriented lifestyle, we felt it was the perfect time to introduce an environmentally-conscious material into our business practices,” said Lauren Makofske, Global Brand Director of Dragon Alliance.
“By incorporating plant-based resin into our injected collections, we are taking the first step towards making a positive impact on the environment.”
Plant-based resin is a bio-based plastic made from castor bean oil, a highly resilient and renewable alternative to standard petroleum-based plastics. The use of plant-based resin helps reduce Dragon’s carbon footprint, while providing the same lightweight, durable quality that Dragon eyewear is known for. Castor beans are inherently drought-resistant, requiring very little irrigation or fertilization. It can grow in arid regions of the world where little else can be sustainably farmed.
The castor beans used by Dragon are sourced from Pragati Project certified farmers, a sustainable castor initiative and educational program aimed at increased income and improved quality of life for farmers who adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Pragati teaches farmers how to produce higher yields while improving working conditions and preserving the environment through methods of water and soil conservation and improved waste management practices.
Dragon’s Fall 2019 campaign offers a look into the manufacturing process through animated designs and a glimpse into the lives of the farmers responsible for helping to bring this vision to life. The campaign designates a surfboard-inspired green leaf symbol as a unique way to identify these eco-friendly injected styles at point of sale, while also acknowledging the heritage of the Dragon brand.
The new plant-based resin styles will be available worldwide on September 1st at select Dragon specialty retailers and at dragonalliance.com.