Blue Planet Eyewear’s line of stylish yet low-cost sunglasses and readers started as a passion project in the Santa Barbara garage of the late David Weinstein almost 40 years ago. But it’s since grown into an eco-minded, Carpinteria-based company that continues to thrive as “my saving grace in life,” according to his son, Matt Weinstein.
The elder Weinstein first began making Blue Gem Sunglasses in 1982, and the brand soon became known for a diverse collection of styles and frames. In 2009, he decided that there was a better way to handle the massive amounts of waste involved in manufacturing. So he created new glasses out of all the postconsumer material and dubbed it Blue Planet Eyewear. “He wanted to do a better job creating a line that was eco-friendly and better for the environment,” said Matt Weinstein, who is now brand manager for Blue Planet. Today, the glasses are all made from recycled plastics or metals that are nickel-free, which reduces toxic byproducts. They also use non-lead paints and offer many frames made from sustainable bamboo.
The company enjoys being headquartered in seaside Carpinteria. "We love Carp,” Weinstein said. “All of our eyewear is designed with our beach lifestyle in mind.”