Upcycling Old Sunglasses: how to repurpose old pairs

If you have an old pair of sunglasses that are scratched or otherwise ruined, you might be tempted to just throw them away.

However, rather than contribute to the three million pairs of eyewear that Opticycle believe are sent to landfill every year in Australia, why not take them opportunity to upcycle them instead?

There are several things you can do to put your old pair of sunnies to good use, many of which you might not previously have thought of.

So, instead of consigning your favourite Oakley Sunglasses Australia brand to the scrap heap, why not get your creative juices flowing with these unique repurposing ideas?

1. Turn them into quirky photo frames

Most of us have plenty of photo frames dotted around our homes. But how many of them are traditional in style?

If all of them are, then consider introducing quirky elements into your home decor by transforming your old pair of shades into an eye-catching frame.

The best way to do this is to print out a couple of photos and then cut them into the shape and size of your sunglass lenses. Finally, glue these photos directly onto them and place them on top of a pile of books or at the end of a table.

You can even decorate the frames with ribbons or other adornments to further enhance their appearance.

2. Create artwork

A nice alternative to using your glasses as a photo frame is to create artwork with them. The process is similar, but instead of snaps of your family and friends, why not put an inspirational quote on one lens and stickers of various designs on the other?

For good measure, stick some faux flowers on the bridge of the nose with hot glue and/or attach some ribbon bows.

When finished, put in a vignette and hang it on the wall. Alternatively, use it as part of window art.

3. Make a Broach

One of the most innovative ways to repurpose your old sunglasses is to make a broach out of the lenses.

You will need to take them out of the frames and decorate them in the same way as the above. However, if you also glue a clip on the back of it, you will be able to wear it with a complimentary outfit.

4. Use Them in Fancy Dress

Just because you can't wear your sunglasses for everyday use doesn't mean they aren't useful for fancy dress situations.

One good example is at a Halloween party, where you can add scary-looking, bloodshot, googly or goofy eyes to the lenses to add extra effect to your outfit.

If you do this, just make sure you leave part of the middle section clear, as you won't be able to see through them if you don't.

You can also use them for Blues Brothers costumes or to mimic Tom Cruise in Risky Business.

5. Jazz Up Your Cuddly Toys

If you have a nice selection of cuddly toys and teddy bears in your home, why not elevate their level of cool by letting them wear your old sunglasses?

Doing this will add extra personality to both them and your room, and the sight of them can even give you a bit of a psychological lift if you ever feel down.

Imagine how cute the three of them will look in their shades when grouped together.

6. Turn into a phone holder

For those whose creative skills aren't the best, one of the simplest ways to repurpose your old sunglasses is to turn them into a phone holder.

The great thing about this idea is that you don't need to make any alterations to the frames or lenses. Instead, you simply have to turn the shades upside down to ensure you are facing the temples. Then, cross them into a position where they curve upwards.

If you do this, it will create a cradle effect for your mobile phone, which you can take advantage of by simply leaning against it.

Depending on the sunglasses, you may need to adjust the temples slightly to ensure they don't block your view of the screen.

However, once rested, you'll be able to watch YouTube videos or talk to loved ones via a web call without having to hold the device in your hand or fork out for a portable stand or mini tripod.

7. Create Christmas Decorations

If you have a few pairs of old sunglasses at your disposal, one way you can prolong their lifespan is to turn the lenses into Christmas decorations.

With a bit of paint and glue or stickers, you can create a variety of Christmas-themed embellishments for your tree that depict snowmen, snowflakes, Santa or holly.

These types of decorations add a bit more sparkle to your Christmas Tree in a way that won't break the bank or take up a lot of room. Hence, they are perfect for those whose centrepiece is a little smaller than most.

8. Recycle Them

Lastly, if you don't want to go through all the effort of repurposing your old sunglasses, you can simply recycle them.

Many local opticians and recycling facilities accept all types of eyewear, which means you can do your bit to reduce waste and make the planet more sustainable.

Additionally, Lions Australia is a wonderful cause you can donate to.

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