John oyarzo
(caleta manzano)
Before we begin...
Who are we?
We are a B Corporation that creates radically sustainable products, designed to last. From Patagonia to over 17 countries worldwide, we are proving through example that companies can be a tool for social and environmental well-being through our Karün Regeneration Model™.
Learn about our milestones1. Us in Numbers 2023
Materials Collected
95.168 Kg.
Total collected in 2023
by type of raw material
11.7%
More than
last year
Impact Leaders
17
2023
Impact Leaders
12
Rural
communities
Did you know that for
every pair of glasses
sold, we collect more
than 800 grams of
material, which is
equivalent to 20 times
their weight?
¿Sabías que por cada anteojo vendido recolectamos más de 800 GRAMOS de material, lo cual equivale a 20 VECES su peso?
Who are the Impact Leaders?
They are entrepreneurs, community leaders, and residents from different areas of Patagonia who, through the collection of various discarded materials, contribute to the restoration of their environments and the protection of nature.
VAlentina Vera
(caleta manzano)
Angélica Uribe
(la poza)
Mirna Kryste
(puelo)
Francisco Guerrero
(chaparano)
Ivonne Neira
(Quildaco)
Ignacio Torres
(Lebu)
Pedro Rubio
(Puelo)
Pilar Fuentealba
(Chamiza)
Paz García
(Chamiza)
How much and where did they
collect in Patagonia in 2023?
Beyond Patagonia
Who are they? A global leader in
marine conservation, they
have been
one of our collection
partners since 2021.
86.5
tons of waste
removed
in 2023
991
tons of waste
removed from
2013 to date.
This weight is equivalent to the weight of 6 blue whales
We expanded our collaboration network to
reach new territories in Asia and increase
the impact of our model. Ocean Material®
operates under the OceanCycle® certification
program, allowing for traceability from
collection to recycling, with high standards.
12
36
Countries in the program
Communities involved
3,900
metric tons of
plastic recovered
+20,000
metric tons is
our total processing
capacity
Ophthalmological Operations
217
2023
Total beneficiaries
579
Karün Historic
beneficiaries
60%
of patients are between
50 and 79 years old
What are ophthalmological operations?
We provide free visual exams in isolated areas of Patagonia, in the same communities where we collect nets, ropes, and metals used to make our glasses. This helps relieve the waiting list at the CESFAM and offers a new vision to the community in the territory where we work.
Business numbers
A. Sales Growth
1
New
markets: Mexico
31
Total countries
where we sell
C. Our team
73
Total
employees
63%
of the team
are women.
50%
de mujeres en
management team
D.Our Corporate Carbon
Footprint
+20%
Karün's growth in the respective year resulted in a 20%
This result represents a figure we must reverse
to achieve our goal
of reducing the corporate CO2 footprint by 50% by 2030.
To achieve this, we are implementing various strategies, including:
Reduction of corporate flights
Increased energy efficiency in offices and stores
Reduction in waste generation and improvement in recycling management
E.Product and Material Launches
Y MATERIALES
Origins
Handmade native
wood frame
Celion®
From cigarette butts
to 100% recycled acetate
Reading
Reading glasses, ultra
light, easy to recycle
2. Milestones 2023
Circularity and Recycling
Thanks to all the customers who brought us Karün glasses that accidentally broke or reached the end of their lifespan, in 2023 we were able to implement our system for disassembling glasses for recycling.
How do we make it possible? First and foremost, we create products designed to easily dismantle all their parts. The same Impact Leaders with whom we collect raw materials now also prepare the glasses for recycling, thus generating additional income for them and their families
Learn moreCollection in Argentina with Rosario Foundation
A collective action day where environmental awareness and waste collection brought together hundreds of volunteers. In this event, more than 173 volunteers from the Rosario community participated and recovered, sorted, and cleaned a total of 328 kilograms of waste. Of these, 81% were plastics, 12% glass, 4% paper, and 3% metals.
Scrap Collection in Caleta Tortel
In November 2023, we carried out an unprecedented collection, unimaginable for communities as isolated as Caleta Tortel. Thanks to joint work with the local Municipality, Parque la Tapera, Balloon Latam, as well as the entire community and territorial organizations, we managed to remove more than 2000 tons of scrap from the area, much of it accumulated for decades in remote areas.
Scrap Collection in Hualaihué
Thanks to the joint effort of an exceptional team, led by the local entrepreneurship Reciclajes J&V, and with the support of the municipality of Hualaihué and AZA, and especially the active participation and enthusiasm of the neighbors to clean their commune, we exceeded our goal by removing more than 35 tons of scrap. This success demonstrates that collective effort can drive initiatives that significantly benefit both the environment and the community.
Educating for Regeneration
In 2023, we placed a strong focus on working with rural schools in the territory where we operate. Patagonian students, who experience nature as an essential part of their daily lives, have the potential to be their greatest guardians.
In 2023, we conducted educational workshops for 506 students on sustainability at the Rural Schools of Rollizo, Cochamó, Puelo, and Quemchi.
ISO 9001 Certification
In 2023, we achieved certification in the ISO 9001 standard, a milestone that reflects our commitment to operational excellence and quality in all aspects of our business. This joint effort demonstrates exceptional collaboration among all areas of our organization, coming together to consolidate and continuously improve our processes.
New Applications of Our Model
At Karün, we have always said that we are not just an eyewear company. The year 2023 was one of intense work to develop a project that excites us a lot because, for the first time, we successfully applied our Karün Regeneration Model to other industries and products, opening the doors to unlimited possibilities for its application.
Through creativity, collaboration, and sustainable innovation, we are pushing the limits to create a future from a different perspective.
learn moreBUK Building Happiness Survey
In 2023, we participated in this survey, and out of the 190 companies that participated, we achieved a result that is above our category in the following statements:
3. Recognitions
A. Recognitions of Karün
Most Sustainable Eyewear Brand Global 2023
Most Innovative Companies 2023
Top 100 Startups in Chile
“Certified Sustainable Eyewear Award" in the Cases category
“Companies with the Best Corporate Reputation, ranked 10th in Chilean retail."
"Companies that Attract and Retain Talent, ranked 9th in retail in Chile and 97th overall in national industries."
"Most Responsible ESG Companies, ranked 9th in retail and 95th overall in Chilean industries."
B.
Recognitions to our
founder and CEO, THOMAS KIMBER
“Innovative Energy: 200 Faces with Which Chile Faces Major Global Transitions”
"30 Sustainable Minds of Chile"
"100 Most Innovative Business Leaders in Chile"
These are the strategic
allies that make
our work possible
