The limited-edition sunglasses will be available on NET-A-PORTER with each pair enabling consumers to help protect dedicated remote islands. Individual geographical coordinates are featured on every pair of eyewear, directly connecting each pair to a specific place in paradise impacted by marine plastic pollution and through purchase consumers help protect. It's a way to connect consumers in high density living areas, the primary users and creators of plastic waste, with the remote locations their waste ends up. The first edition launches with models linking to islands in Maldives, Palau and Bali.
For every 100 pairs of sunglasses sold, Parley and Corona will expand their commitment and protect one more island against marine plastic pollution for one year.
About 8 million tons of plastic waste enter the oceans annually. The problem affects every known ecosystem and all levels of the food chain. And whilst the problem of plastic waste may seem remote to the everyday Australian, it is causing very real health concerns, with plastic entering our drinking water, bottled water, and food.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is set to conduct a review into the safety of drinking bottled water after a new study of the worlds top brands found that 90 per cent contained microplastics. On average, the study conducted by the State University of NY on behalf of Orb Media, found an average of 325 tiny plastic particles per litre of drinking water.
Last year, scientific reports revealed that the fish we eat also contain high levels of plastic from ingesting it in the ocean. High levels of plastic in the ocean are a result of human litter, and even plastic fibres from our synthetic clothing that run off in the washing machine cycle.
