Shwood: Newspaper Glasses

Portland-based brand Shwood has introduced a new collection of eyewear frames made from compressed newspaper, adding to its existing range of glasses made from sustainably sourced wood.

The composite material is made in-house by gluing sheets of newsprint together to create a four-inch-thick log. After being cut into thin planks, the material is shaped through processes similar to those used in wood manufacturing to create veneers.

The veneers are used as an inlay detail on the arms of the brand's acetate and wood frames, or layered with wood to create a stronger material that can be used to shape the main body of the glasses. The unusual material has a woodgrain-like texture, with each piece having a unique finish.

The range demonstrates a fresh approach to recycling and sustainable materials that is leading to the emergence of new composites and innovative augmentations of natural materials. This has already been highlighted in our coverage of shoes made from used coffee grounds, recycled denim on the high street and the first bioplastic chair. For further examples and insights, see the Materials Focus 2016-17 report, Resource.

For more on strategies that move towards eliminating waste in design and manufacture, see Closing the Loop: Future-Proofing Design.