Ballo
Ballo produces eyewear using recycled, upcycled, or sustainably sourced materials, including hemp, cork, billboards, and fabric offcuts. A key focus for Ballo is creating employment, which is why their products are made through a unique combination of 23 hand-crafted processes. The company has also partnered with GreenPop to plant trees, offsetting the carbon costs of international shipping.
Features
Resources and materials
- Only uses recycled and renewable materials: wood offcuts, recycled paper, fabric offcuts, recycled plastic bottles, and recycled cork
- Ballo’s Bio-Acetate range is made from 100% plant-based cellulose acetate and is biodegradable
Making and manufacturing
- BCorp certified
- 1% for the Planet contributing member
- Employs and pays local artisans a living wage
- Supplies healthcare to all employees
- Ensures the same fair labour principles are followed within CMTs used for clothing production
- Eyewear production uses little to no water
- All production is driven by hand-operated machines
Social and cultural
- The BUY 1 GIVE 1 project donates a pair of frames to a schoolchild in need for every pair of Ballo eyewear purchased online or in stores
- Plants one tree for every pair of sunglasses sold online
- Supports NGOs like SurfPop and Sentinel Ocean Alliance
Product and design
- Products are trans-seasonal
- Offers free repairs for life
- Clothing is produced in small runs and always sells out
- Offcuts are used to make keyrings or planter boxes
Packaging and distribution
- Packaging is made from recycled materials
- Tags are made from recycled cardboard and cotton twine
- Shipping is carbon neutral due to Ballo’s tree-planting initiative
2025 Winner: Innovative Design and Materials Award
Address
54 Newmarket St, Woodstock, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa