MEDIUM
Glasses made from garbage? Is that possible? What materials do you use exactly?
Yes, it is possible. We are pioneers in the transformation and alteration of waste that then becomes the raw material for our glasses.
Today we recycle, transform and manipulate the following materials:
· Terephthalate (r-PET): All our terephthalate comes from consumer plastic bottles.
· High Density Polyethylene: Most commonly known by its acronym HDPE, all high density polyethylene comes from consumer bottles, especially shampoos and detergents.
· Aluminum: available in our Recycled Metal collection. All aluminum used comes from soft drink cans and canned food from the food industry.
· Coffee: Available exclusively in our Coffee collection. This material is made exclusively from recycled coffee grounds.
· Rubber: Sourced from the world's largest tire landfill in Kuwait, the rubber used in our Rubber collection is derived from car, truck and airplane tires.
· Biological Acetate
Why do you make glasses from waste?
Every year, 300 million tons of garbage are thrown away worldwide. 85% of this waste is not recycled and ends up in the sea, buried or burned, polluting our planet.
At Parafina we aim to try to remedy this by collecting waste before it is burned, buried or dumped into the sea to create glasses. We believe that the basis of any business lies in sustainability and responsible production.
Where are your glasses made?
Our production is located in China due to its proximity to raw materials and because it is the country where the most waste is generated, but this does not mean that the final product is of less quality. The city where our factory is located is Wenzhou, a specialist in the production and design of glasses. It must be taken into account that two identical glasses may come from waste from different parts of the world. Our manufacturing process is long and tedious since the waste comes from more than twenty landfills spread throughout the world. Once the waste has been identified, it is transported to waste processing plants that condition it so that it can later be converted into glasses in our factory.
How are your recycled glasses made?
The manufacturing process for Parafina recycled glasses takes place in two sub-processes: the first is the transformation of waste into raw material and the second is the processing of said raw material into optical frames. The material is melted and injected to give shape to the frame, then they are cleaned and polished before the lenses and straps are mounted on them.
Are the lenses also recycled?
As of today, lenses cannot be recycled and are the only part of the glasses that is not manufactured by Parafina but by an external company, whose material is polycarbonate so that they can have the required technical characteristics. However, we are working to ensure that lenses are also made from recycled materials.
What is the quality of your lens?
All lenses are polarized category 3 (except LECOLOR), UV400 and are made of the highest level of polycarbonate with maximum UV absorbers. Our lenses are also extremely impact resistant and therefore better suited to certain sports and outdoor activities. Our lenses are tested by Intertek to meet European standards. Our factories meet European standards and have BSCI labor certificates.
What is the difference between polarized and non-polarized lenses?
The protection is the same, the only difference is that the filters in a polarized lens provide the user with greater visual comfort by avoiding reflections caused by the sun on different surfaces such as the road or snow.
Does the product have international certification to support it?
Yes. All our glasses have international certificates that support different areas, ISO, ECO Product, B CORP, Intertek and BCOME for the analysis of the impact of our products.
Does being recycled mean they have lower quality?
Not at all. The only difference is that unlike our competitors, we do not create more plastics, CO2 or waste to create our glasses.
Do glasses or lenses have a warranty? How do I manage it?
All our products have a 2-year warranty. If the product was purchased on the Parafina website or at Parafina House (Calle Canillas, 2, Local, 28002, Madrid, Spain) it is essential to send an email to aloha@parafina.eco with images of the damaged product and the purchase receipt to assess whether the damage is covered by said warranty. Once each case is studied, the steps to follow will be sent.
If the product was purchased in a store that distributes the brand, the store must be contacted to manage the warranty, as Parafina is not responsible for it.
If the product is defective, we will replace it with a new one free of charge. If the product is no longer available, we will exchange it for a similar one. Product warranty exclusions:
- Damage caused deliberately or through carelessness.
- Improper or careless use.
- Damage resulting from normal use and wear.
- Damage due to failure to follow the care and cleaning policy.
- Substantial modifications to the product. (Change of lenses, temples, frame tinting...)
Total claim limit per guarantee: 2
Can I return products purchased online?
Yes. To make a return, there is a 30-day period from when the order is received. Shipping costs to our warehouse are the responsibility of the buyer, using the shipping method chosen. The package must arrive complete and in good condition, including a note with the order number and customer details. The shipping address of our warehouse is: Calle de Canillas, 2, Local, 28002, Madrid, Spain. Once the package is received, we will refund the amount of the products and the cost of the initial shipping.
Can I exchange products purchased online?
Yes. To exchange a product, there is a period of 30 business days from when the order is received. Shipping costs to our warehouse are the responsibility of the buyer, using the shipping method chosen. The package must arrive complete and in good condition, including a note with the order number, customer details and information about the change to be made. If the product to be exchanged is of a lower value than the new product chosen, the difference must be paid. The shipping address of our warehouse is: Calle de Canillas, 2, Local, 28002, Madrid, Spain. Once the package is received, we will proceed to send the new product to the address provided in the note that must be included in the package.