Sustainability FAQs

Cubitts is committed to reducing our environmental impact, and setting ourselves as the benchmark for our industry.

Our carbon footprint in 2022 is 507,000 kg, and we will measure it every year, and publish this information on our website and in our audited financial accounts. 

We will be net zero by 2030. 

We will set and publish annual goals for reducing our impact, both
internal (relating to Cubitts) and external (relating to our impact on
the wider industry). 

Our Targets and Goals:

1. We will make repairs standard across the industry, by educating customers - and pressuring our competitors to do the same.

2. We will create a fully circular economy by providing a closed loop system, whereby used spectacles and lenses can be donated and recycled, downcycled or upcycled.

3. We will save all our waste material, and find ways to repurpose it into new material, that can be used for spectacle making or other industries.

4. By 2050, all our frames will be made to order, minimise stock and wastage, and creating perfectly fitting frames that will last for many, many years. 

No brand is truly sustainable, but by producing products that last a lifetime, built to be maintained and repaired rather than tossed aside, we are on the way to a better future. We are working to reduce our carbon footprint, extend the life of our products, create a circular economy through donation, and researching technological advancements to both reduce and reuse wasted acetate. We are currently in the process of becoming B Corp certified.

To ensure donated frames go to a good home, we work with a number of charities, including Orbis in Ethiopia, and the New Horizon Youth Centre in the UK. We are excited to introduce Cubitts Anew in November, through which donated and refurbished frames can be purchased at a reduced price of £75, with all proceeds going to charity.

Yes. We eschew certain cheaper production techniques in order to ensure our frames are made to last, and to be repaired when broken. We offer a complementary frame service after 12 months, and repairs, adjustments, and lens replacements for life.

We want to be carbon neutral by 2030. Our footprint is tracked by environmental consultancy Consciam, and each year we look to reduce our overall footprint. From next year we will publish our progress against this goal publicly.

One of our company goals is to bring about positive change in our industry, by influencing our competitors. We do so in the following areas:

- Offering repairs as standard to increase the life of the product, something very few optical brands do.

- Reducing wastage, by turning acetate offcuts and dummy lenses into innovative new materials, such as our Redux frames, and Derelex.

- Working with our lens partner, Zeiss, to create a more efficient glazing process.

- Contributing to a circular industry, by encouraging customers to donate, recycle, and downcycle their old frames.

- Educating customers on frame care, repairs, and reglazing.

We are working with Consciam to measure our carbon footprint and reduce our climate impact, towards a goal of carbon neutral by 2030.

We have changed energy sources to a renewable supplier, we use an in-house bike courier service, and we prioritise shipping over air freight. We have reduced the use of single use plastic throughout our operations. We offer a cycle to work scheme for our employees.

Our stores and offices utilise recycled fittings and furnishings, and we are mindful when selecting new materials. Our sites have light motion sensors, and recycling facilities.

Our Company Code of Conduct can be found here - which we and our suppliers adhere to.