BENTONVILLE, Ark.—Walmart Vision Centers is collaborating with Karün on a program which offers customers more sustainable eyewear options at an affordable price. The collection is now available at 1,400 Walmart Vision Center locations. In a blog post earlier this month, Ericka Thumbutu, Walmart’s merchandise director, optical, wrote, “We love seeing our customers find the perfect pair of glasses. When the best choice for them is also the right choice for the planet, everyone wins.”

She said, “We know our customers want to make more sustainable choices, with 78 percent of U.S. consumers saying that a sustainable lifestyle is important to them. At Walmart, we are committed to helping our customers find more sustainable eyewear products without sacrificing quality or appearance—which is why we are excited to announce that Walmart is launching Karün, our first eyewear brand made from traceable recycled materials.”

Made from recycled fishing nets, metals and other plastics from the coasts of Patagonia, Karün is reimagining an Earth-friendly alternative to traditional eyewear.

 
 
“At Karün, our mission is to create eyewear that helps protect nature. Through our Karün Traceability System, we enable customers to learn where their eyewear materials were collected, how far they traveled and where they were produced,” said Thomas Kimber, Karün founder and CEO. “We chose to work with Walmart as our U.S. national retailer to expand access to more sustainable eyewear options.”

According to a statement from Karün, the new assortment offers 18 styles, including classic aviators, round, rectangle and square frames. One of the collection's most innovative features is the inclusion of a carbon footprint label on the piece's packaging. This labeling empowers buyers to understand the environmental impact of their purchase, underlining the significance of informed consumption.

Thumbutu added, “This collection is emblematic of how Walmart is working with suppliers on embedding circularity across our product categories while prioritizing quality, durability and sustainability. Karün’s efforts are part of our broader goal to become a regenerative company—one that helps renew people and the planet through our business.

“As a trusted health and wellness destination, we are continually expanding our eyewear assortment to help customers see better to live better. Bringing Karün to Walmart will expand our options and help customers find more sustainable eyewear options within their budget.” Thumbutu said.