The Nouns DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization, approved proposal number 685 and began to lead the Recicla Visão project, which arrives in Rio de Janeiro with the aim of combating childhood visual impairment and, at the same time, promoting education about recycling and sustainability.
The action is carried out by a collective that brings together Precious Noggles, Social Vision of Good, Plastic House, and Berro Inc., offering free eye exams and distributing prescription glasses with frames made of recycled plastic for children aged 8 to 14 in situations of social vulnerability.
According to the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology (CBO), about 19% of children between 6 months and 15 years suffer from some type of visual impairment, and 80% of those in school age have never had an eye exam — data that reinforces the importance of the initiative aimed at improving the development, learning, and quality of life of thousands of children.
“We are very happy to transform the vision of Nouns DAO into a project that connects technology, sustainability, and social impact. Thanks to the support of the Nouns community, we have been able to give new purpose to recycled plastic, turning it into a tool for learning and health for many children,” emphasized Mari Salles, founder of Precious Noggles and the project's creator.
A Web3 model for the real world
True to the principles of public goods of Web3, the design of the glasses — prescription and sunglasses — is made available under an open CC-BY-AS license. This allows anyone or any collective to use, adapt, and redistribute the models, maintaining credits and the same license, expanding the impact in a decentralized way.
The initial focus of the project is to serve 3,000 children, distributing 1,000 glasses, with the goal of scaling the operation to 15,000 children per year throughout Brazil, using an adaptable mobile clinic that can be replicated globally.
Operation: from recycling to visual health
The mobile clinic is equipped to perform eye exams and manufacture frames on demand, using recycled polypropylene (PP) from bottle caps and yogurt containers, a lightweight, durable, and flexible material. Children choose the color of their frames, which are delivered in recycled fabric packaging, accompanied by cleaning cloths for the lenses.
Social Vision of Good coordinates the entire clinical operation, from the initial screening and eye exams to the final assembly of the frames. Casa Plástica leads the recycling axis, conducts educational workshops, and coordinates the manufacture of recycled frames, with the goal of recycling 700 kg of plastic per year. The producer Berro Inc. documents the entire process in a mini-documentary and an impact report, scheduled to be released in December.
“This mobile clinic allows us to reach where the need is greatest. Offering the exam and then some sturdy recycled-frame glasses transforms a child's perspective in school and in life. It’s dignity and opportunity,” says Ana Santos, CEO of Social Vision of Good.
According to Pedro Lucas Pinho, founder of Casa Plástica, “in the workshops, we see the children's eyes light up when they understand that waste can become a frame. We are not just recycling plastic; we are forming a generation aware of the value of materials.”
The project follows essential steps to ensure impact and monitoring: visual screening began in April, with about 2000 children attended; complete exams occurred from August to early October; frame manufacturing took place in August; and the distribution of glasses with educational workshops started on September 19 and will continue until the end of 2025.
Social and environmental impact
Recicla Visão contributes to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By improving the visual health of children in vulnerable situations, it addresses SDG 3 – Health and Well-Being. By offering better learning conditions and environmental education, it promotes SDG 4 – Quality Education.
The initiative also works to reduce inequalities, ensuring access to visual health without distinction, aligning with SDG 5 and 10 – Gender Equality and Reduction of Inequalities. Furthermore, by encouraging plastic recycling and the local production of frames, it strengthens responsible consumption and production practices and contributes to more sustainable cities and communities, integrating SDG 11 and 12.
Among the benefiting institutions are AMAC, Sociedade Plural, Escola Romeu Menezes, Escola Minas Gerais Centro de Estudos Viva o Aprender, Escola de Música da Rocinha, NGO Gesto de Amor, Associação Prover, Instituto Apontar, Quilombo Dona Bilina, Centro Cultural Oca dos Curumins, Igreja Sant’Anna de Itaúna, Educar+, in addition to various public schools and organizations in Rio de Janeiro.
“Recicla Visão goes beyond visual impairment and plastic waste disposal. It connects the principles of Web3 to sustainability and social inclusion, transforming waste into empowerment and learning. With the leadership of Nouns DAO, we hope to further amplify the impact in communities across Brazil,” concludes Mari Salles.
