What is the bow Responsible Materials Index for Eyewear? Created by bbase to empower brands, manufacturers and designers, the bow Index is an industry-focused tool that overviews bbase’s comparative research into a number of sustainable materials used in eyewear. What materials are currently included in the Index? - r22 – recycled PET
- r32 – recycled polycarbonate
- r38 – recycled acrylic
- r43 – recycled acetate (mechanical recycling)
- r45 – renew acetate (chemical recycling)
- r46 – renew tritan
- r49 – recycled copper
- b31- biodegradable acetate (Europe)
- b33 – biodegradable acetate (Asia)
- rLens – recycled lens
The codes indicate r (for recycled) and b (for biodegradable). The numbers correspond to the order of when the team started R&D into a particular material. Currently, bbase is researching and testing over 50 materials for the Index. What are the material criteria currently included in the Index? • Sustainable Certifications – Is a material certified, traceable and how widely acknowledged is the certification?
• Product Lifespan – How much wear and tear can the material sustain over time?
• DEP Content – Does the material contain DEP or not?
• BPA Content – Does the material contain BPA or not?
• Recycled Material Content – What % of the raw material is from recycled sources
• Biodegradability – How quickly does a material biodegrade?
• Material Efficiency & Performance – Is the material production-friendly? How does it work? Using bbase’s internal scoring system and methodology, the bow Index visualises the attributes of a sustainable material across a number of categories that help eyewear professionals determine the best option for their product and support their commitment to sustainability. | 
