Honour Optometry puts sustainability into practice

After years of experience in both corporate and franchise settings, optometrist Brendan Schelbach became acutely aware of the need for environmental consciousness within the optical industry.

This awareness inspired him to found Honour Optometry – a practice deeply rooted in sustainable principles.

‘What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to personalised patient care, our eclectic and sustainable range of eyewear and the unique ambiance of our practice,’ Brendan said. ‘We strive to offer eyewear that is not only visually distinct, but also has a story of sustainability behind it.’

Quality service anchored in sustainability

Established just two years ago, Honour Optometry is nestled within the heart of Graceville, just outside the Brisbane CBD.

‘From the onset, a big challenge for us was establishing a new customer base from scratch in a competitive market. However, this journey also led to our greatest success: building a loyal community around our unique eyewear offerings,’ he explained.

‘The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive. Patients appreciate our commitment to sustainability, especially when they learn about the stories behind our products. Our peers have also recognised our efforts, leading to conversations about how the industry can move towards more eco-friendly practices and the type of straightforward changes they can implement in their own practices.’

Eco-friendly practices in action

In an effort to minimise its environmental footprint, Honour Optometry carefully selects brands that align with its sustainability ethos, opting for eyewear made from recycled materials or with sustainable manufacturing practices.

‘Each brand we stock is vetted to guarantee at least one of our three sustainability objectives are being met; the brand must use material that is natural, recycled, recyclable or sustainable in nature, the brand must be manufacturing frames using renewable energy or be classified as a carbon neutral entity, or the brand must be adhering to positive social impact and pursuing excellent worker welfare, inclusivity, diversity and equality.’

Additionally, the practice has also teamed up with Lions Australia and their Lions Recycle For Sight Australia program, providing a platform for their customers to recycling old eyewear. Contact lens packaging recycling is handled via TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Box.

Brendan said the team at Honour Optometry has also implemented a range of eco-friendly initiatives on the ground.

‘We use energy-efficient lighting, water-saving appliances and recycled paper. We also compost food scraps and recycle all of our waste,’ he said.

‘While achieving a paperless practice wasn’t feasible, we have only just purchased our fourth ream of printer paper in two years, so we are as close to paperless as can be.

‘We believe the initial investment in these types of initiatives have proven worthwhile and cost-effective in the long run. Balancing sustainability with economic considerations means choosing products and practices that not only benefit the environment, but also delivers value to our customers.’

Looking ahead

Moving forward, Honour Optometry aims to expand its range of sustainable eyewear and improve its in-store recycling programs. In the long-term, Brendan said they are working towards achieving B Corp certification to solidify their commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices.

For fellow optometrists, Brendan recommends starting with an assessment of current practices and product offerings.

‘This can range from small changes, like reducing waste in daily operations, to larger commitments, like sourcing more sustainable eyewear brands,’ he said.

‘This is important for reducing our environmental footprint and contributing to the overall wellbeing of our planet and future generations.’