At Young Henrys, we’ve always been about shaking up the norm — whether it’s brewing a frothy classic or navigating the world of sustainability. So when Heather Joseph, one of the key brains behind ‘Objekt Eyewear’, hit us up with a bold idea - turning our used beer cans into slick sunnies - we were all in. Beer cans to eyewear? Say no more.

Chris Savage, the Founder of Objekt Eyewear had a clear vision from the start for the brand: create something beautiful that doesn’t cost the earth. The Objekt team wanted frames made from materials that not only looked good but could go the distance, recycled and recycled again. Enter aluminium—durable, endlessly recyclable, and raw enough to match the ethos of her frames.

And as for where those aluminium cans came from? Well, beer and sunnies are a classic Aussie summer combo, so teaming up with a brewery was a no-brainer. Lucky for everyone, Objekt’s production hub in Camperdown is just a stone’s throw from Young Henrys HQ. Plus, we’re all about doing our bit for the planet, making us the perfect pairing.

Image: Objekt Eyewear

Transforming tinnies into eyewear is no small feat—it’s a meticulous, fiery process that’s as impressive as it sounds. Here’s how the Objekt Eyewear team work their magic:

1. Collection & Crushing: The process kicks off with a heap of crushed Young Henrys cans. These are shredded down to manageable bits, prepped for the furnace.

2. Melting It Down: The shredded cans hit a furnace heated to a whopping 1,000°C. A little solid aluminium starts the pool to make sure the tinnies melt right, and not burn.

3. Removing Impurities: Impurities like the plastic lining from the cans are burned off or skimmed away as the aluminium melts down.

4. Custom Casting: The molten aluminium is poured into moulds designed to form sleek sunglass sides.

5. Hand Finishing: Once cooled, the sides are hand-finished—filed, sanded, and polished to perfection, ready to hit the frames (which you can see below)

The result? A seamless blend of recycled acetate and aluminium that’s easy on the eyes and the planet. It’s an energy-efficient process that gives materials a new life, proving that waste can be turned into something wonderful.

Images: Objekt Eyewear

For Objekt Eyewear, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s (literally) baked into everything they do. From recycling acetate through initiatives like Spexcycle to sourcing aluminium from our beloved tinnies, they’re setting a new standard for circular manufacturing. Their passion for keeping things local also means a smaller carbon footprint, with most of the work happening right here in the Inner West.

“We love that Young Henrys is a B Corp,” Heather says. “It’s clear you’re not just making great products—you’ve got a creative, socially conscious ethos that aligns perfectly with us.”

With this project Objekt Eyewear is shouting a message loud and clear: innovation, style, and sustainability can coexist. There are over 10 million eyewear frames sold in Australia each year, most destined for landfill. Objekt’s proving there’s a better way—with no compromise on style or quality.

So next time you crack open a cold Young Henrys, remember: that tinnie could be the start of your next favourite pair of sunnies. Cheers to that.