• Lenses are typically the cheapest part of a sunglass frame even though they are the most important part – they protect our eyes. Just Human invests more than 10 times on their lenses compared to other designer sunglass brands.

• Today most sunglass lenses are made from petroleum-based plastics. However, mineral glass is used on iPhones, tablets, and cameras because optically it’s the clearest material. Mineral glass lenses are much more sustainable and long lasting as they are tempered for more impact resistance and durability as well as naturally more scratch resistant than plastic lenses.

• 100% UV protection on sunglasses, typically refers to the protection on the front of the lens. Studies have shown that 50% of UV is reflected off the back side of the lens back into the eye. Just Human thoughtfully engineered their lenses with 100% UV protection on both the front and back side of the lens.

• Plastic lenses shavings (called SWARF) creates more than 6,000 tons a year of waste in the U.S. alone that end up in landfills or oceans. All of Just Human’s lenses are BPA free and easily recycled or disposed of without leaching harmful chemicals into the environment. They also recycle all of their lens shavings and make them into new lenses.

Husband and wife duo Craig and Stacey set out to create a new generation of sunglasses that are better for people and the planet. With a background working in optics for over 10 years, Craig knew that there was more innovation and lens technology available that was not being offered in off-the-shelf sunglasses. He also saw all the waste associated with manufacturing plastic lenses and a shift towards using cheaper and synthetic materials. The duo combined their passion for great design, sustainability and technology to create something better.

They knew developing a sustainable product would be an imperfect journey with lots of challenges, hence the name Just Human: going beyond perfection paralysis, rather aiming for the potential for change.

Just Human launched with four season-less and unisex styles, aiming for universality and longevity as the key tenets of the sustainable collection. The line is handmade in Japan from recycled and natural materials, with sustainability in mind straight down from product to packaging.

Read more about the brand’s holistic approach below.

FACES NOT GENDER

CHIC CIRCULARITY

Iconic-style and responsible materials. Focused on the entire system, from design and material selection to manufacturing and packaging.

MADE TO LAST

One of the most environmentally responsible things we can do is make a product that endures for a lifetime, not a season.

Just Human is founded on a principle, not a product. 

Before they started designing their sunglasses, they looked at the whole system ranging from responsible design, materials, manufacturing and packaging.

Frames

Just Human’s frame material is made from FSC® certified reforested softwood trees that are sustainably harvested (For every tree that is harvested 30% more softwood trees are planted). Little is wasted in the process of manufacturing their plant based bio-material from trees. The bark is removed before pulping and is used as fuel for the conversion process. The tree is chipped and then cooked in a digester to separate the fibers. The pulp is pressed to remove water, then dried and wound onto rolls.  It’s then blended with organic colored powders, and applied to the raw colored sheets.

Lenses

The majority of sunglass brands use plastic (CR-39) or polycarbonate lenses derived from petroleum. Just Human uses mineral glass lenses made from sand found in nature (Silica, Alkaline Carbonate and Limestone) and Rare Earth Minerals (Ne, Pr, Er, Ce) to enhance colors and contrast for a more vivid and beautiful experience.

Case + Cleaning Cloth

Just Human’s sunglass case is made using pineapple leaf fibers and recycled plastic water bottles. They upcycle 2.5 plastic water bottles to manufacture their cleaning cloth which helps to remove plastic from the waste stream.

Packaging

Just Human’s shipping packaging is thoughtfully designed by eliminating single-use plastic and using a low waste and minimal design inspired by Japanese origami. They use 100% post-consumer cardboard, eco-friendly inks and compostable tape made from wood pulp.

Manufacturing

It is Just Human’s belief that if they are going to add another product to the world it should be thoughtfully designed and ethically made.  Each frame is made with a combination of technology and craftsmanship and milled out of a single sheet of their bio-material and are all hand assembled. The inside of the temple is heat stamped with gold or silver foil and laser engraved with 良い人間 as a symbol for the Japanese artisan that made the frame. The meaning is ‘good human’.

Just Human’s factories employ true artisans in their respective fields who have been in the industry for generations and are family owned. Their factory partners in Japan (manufactures and assembles their sunglasses) and Italy (manufactures their mineral glass lenses) pay a living wage, ensure a safe and clean work environment and offer holiday and sick pay.