A few days ago we met the guys of JUNK, emerging eyewear brand, which bases its vision on eco-sustainability, producing models from recycled plastic, fishing nets and a part from carpets, but also from industrial waste. They told us about the project starting from the idea, getting to the details of the production and finishing to the future objectives.
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JUNK is born from an eclectic team of young talents with different backgrounds. Tell us more about who you are, the birth of the brand and the path that has taken you to today.
The idea of the JUNK project was born three years ago, thanks to the continuous research of sustainable materials, mainly used for the production of hangers and mannequins for clothing stores.
After years of ideas, the JUNK team decided to produce the glasses with those materials, namely recycled plastic. Initially, finding the right composition was not easy, but after several attempts we arrived at the goal. The focus is to use eco-sustainable products and be as transparent as possible on the material used, but also maintain the fashion and pop style of the product.
On a communicative level we did not want to be mainstream, but to focus on a fashionable and fluid approach that is linked to the process of melting plastic, but also refers to water, as part of these materials are recovered from seas and rivers.
Even the name is not obvious, in fact we played with the word garbage.
What does it mean to make sustainable glasses?
The focus of our project is clear: sustainability.
But it is often easier to say than to do it. Production costs are high, to find the right formula takes time and dedication.
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What is the difference between sustainable thinking and sustainable doing and is it expensive?
Just think that to produce a pair of glasses with recycled plastic the cost increases from 4 to 5 times compared to normal glasses, as well as the production times that multiply.
So yes, there’s a huge difference between sustainable thinking and sustainable thinking. The cost also varies depending on the sales channels, in fact we at JUNK decided to see only online. The cost of resellers would go through the roof.
If you were to describe JUNK with an adjective.
POP, or Positive and Optimistic Point of View.
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The model of glasses that most represents JUNK.
The model that is going for the most part is June, because it has a very 90s aesthetic, but what really represents us is the part dedicated to sunglasses.
Tell us more about the plastic rehabilitation process.
The plastic produced is 100% nylon and 100% recycled, of which a part from the retrieval of fishing nets and a part from carpets, but also from industrial waste. Unlike the normal recycling of plastic, where at each production step loses its mechanical characteristics, our regeneration process keeps them completely unchanged, in fact, they can be regenerated even 100 times, the result will always be the same.
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In a landscape where producing in green mode is a prerequisite almost essential, what do you think will be the next step?
Try not to develop new collections every year, just to contrast the fast fashion and not go in contrast with the initial focus, that is sustainability, so as to use a mold for glasses for as long as possible.
The next step of JUNK?
The next step of JUNK will be to introduce 7 new colors and also new shapes, like drops that give a different texture to the product. In addition, sustainable lenses will probably be released in a year’s time.
Another very important novelty for us is to make JUNK a benefit company, where profit is fundamental but it must not be the only reason to exist.
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