Sustainability: Our Journey

At Tura, we recognize that making frames is a dirty business. We are making strides to become a more sustainable company. As with all products, the manufacturing processes and distribution model have a serious impact on the environment. But, we want to change all of that. We are on a journey to find better manufacturing practices to improve the future of our planet. And we want to be as transparent as possible throughout this journey. We have set short and long term goals, but with each step, new questions will arise. And with each year, new technologies will emerge. So we are remaining flexible, and we are excited about the continuous experiments and explorations we will be making over the next few years.

In 2021, we launched a small optical collection under the Ted Baker brand to address sustainability. Ted Bio Classics are made exclusively in biodegradable acetate, but the collection pushes sustainability a step further…. To avoid opening new molds, thereby creating more material waste, Ted is utilizing existing production tools to reproduce best-selling silhouettes in bio-degradable acetate. We are genuinely creating a product with less waste, a lower environmental impact, and a smaller carbon footprint.

While our Ted collection is a great first step, we recognize that acetate uses a reductive manufacturing process, putting 50-80% of material to waste with every frame. To tackle this challenge, many of our acetate frames utilize custom lamination techniques, where multiple materials are cut and fitted like puzzle pieces to create unique colors. With custom lamination, more frames can be yielded from the same amount of material, reducing the material waste by half. A 50% improvement is a very positive step forward, all the while creating even more luxurious and unique frames.

Moving forward, we will be more innovative in our approach, beginning with our research into alternative materials to further lower our environmental impact. We are exploring the application of additive processes, such as injection and 3D printing, which create nearly zero waste. Experiments with newer bio-degradable materials, recycled plastics, and recyclable metals are well underway. Our design approach examines ways to manufacture in fewer steps and to aid the recycling or up-cycling process. In the near future, we will be implementing more eco-friendly demo lenses, sun lenses, cases, and packaging.

And we will continue our efforts to make our paper point of purchase materials as eco-friendly as possible as outlined below.

Research, Explore, Experiment, Change, Grow. This is our new design mantra, and it is how we will ultimately save our planet for future generations. And we promise to keep you updated along our journey.

Eco-friendly POP Efforts

With the increasing awareness of environmental consciousness Tura is committed to being eco-friendly — from our paper selection through the production process we strive to be eco-friendly to the best of our ability. Working with Konica Minolta’s Green Products Certification System — an original process for evaluating and certifying products with superior environmental performance, we strive to achieve an efficient outcome. Attention in addressed in four specific areas: 1) Paper 2) Inks, Coatings and Chemicals 3) Reducing and Reusing Waste, 4) Energy Consumption

  • The paper used on our counter cards, posters as well as other printed materials is FSC certified by our supplier.  FSC is an acronym for the Forest Stewardship Council®, which is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization that was established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.
  • We print with eco-friendly ink: vegetable-based inks and ink that is uses low VOC (volatile organic compounds i.e. carbon)
  • Trained operators and modern equipment ensure proper set up and significantly reduced waste.  In addition, biodegradable or recyclable packing materials helps avoid more permanent waste in landfills.
  • We print in energy-efficient facilities that use power-saving equipment and energy-saving features such fluorescent lighting, low-water usage.
  • Through awareness, understanding, education, and action we will continue to minimize our intrusion on the environment.