Off-cuts from the kilt making industry are being used by Edinburgh’s bespoke Hemp Eyewear to create the most sustainable glasses ever with a choice of two tartans -MacDonald Clan Modern and Irish National

The Edinburgh production process starts by moulding together organic hemp fibres with the tartan fabric. The eyewear shapes are then cut and finished using rotary tools and polished using a combination of grape oil and stone powder. The grape oil is a by-product of French wine production. Every screw, rivet and hinge is assembled by hand in the Hemp Eyewear workshop, located in a former biscuit factory in Edinburgh

“We have created a leading-edge technology which processes raw hemp fibre into solid, lightweight and beautiful plant-based material. Sustainability is at the core of our philosophy. Industrial hemp is one of the most sustainable, eco-friendly and diverse materials on earth which is why it is our material of choice. The only by-product is water vapour, which is as clean as it gets in manufacturing.  European customers who buy a hemp frame will save an average 1.2kg of carbon compared to purchasing the 90%+ of frames made in China,” said Sam Whitten, Founder of Hemp Eyewear #sustaiabilityinoptics