I often get questions about recycling glasses and contact lens as well as eco-friendly brands, so I put together this quick guide to help you wear them in the most eco-friendly way possible!
Even though most glasses, all contact lenses and solutions are made with plastic, there are still ways that you can buy better, recycle and donate to lessen the impact on the planet.
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I’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions to make it easier for you to wear glasses and contact lenses in an eco-friendly way.
Can contact lens solutions be recycled and is there a plastic-free alternative like glass or metal?
I haven’t yet found a manufacturer that makes bottles out of glass or metal but the bottles CAN be recycled in your plastics bin. It will greatly increase the likelihood that they will be recycled if you choose clear plastic over white plastic. This makes it easier to recognise by recycling machines than coloured plastic.
Buy glasses made with natural materials
The glasses industry is further forward than the contact lenses business when it comes to using sustainable materials. Here are some UK-based companies making a difference:
- Peep eyewear restores glasses and sunglasses by reglazing them and sells vintage frames as well as stocking recycled cleaning cloths made with plastic bottles.
- Bird Sunglasses is a B-Corp certified company that makes glasses and sunglasses from sustainable materials and gives a portion of profits to SolarAid.
- Retrospecced is a social enterprise that upcycles designer and vintage frames while giving back to Vision Aid Overseas.
Where to recycle your old glasses
If you’re like me, then your glasses prescription will change every few years and you’ll need to update your specs. The good news is that Vision Aid Overseas have collection points all over the UK (Specsavers have quite a few) and they distribute them to visually impaired people in countries all over the world.
Where to recycle your old lenses
Contact lenses are a nightmare because they’re so small and they can turn into microplastics and end up in the sea if they’re thrown away. Thankfully they can now be recycled but only through a specific recycling scheme.
Lenses and their packets, even ones that haven’t been opened can be dropped off at various Terracycle points around the UK. Many of these are at opticians or at Boots stores. They are made into hard plastic that is then made into various sturdy plastic products like benches.
Read more: From contact lenses to tights: Where to recycle random things in the UK
Do you have any tips for being short or long-sighted in an ethical and eco-friendlier way? Share your tips in the comments below.
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I literally had never thought about the eco side of glasses or contacts! I think there are so many every day objects that people don’t even think about how to recycle, so thanks for being this awareness!
Thanks for this post I never thought about recycling my glasses its not really advertised. But I will look into it now.
A great post and something that I hadn’t considered. I have recycled my frames and will continue to do so. Really interesting thank you!
This is really interesting. I am back in glasses now after having laser surgery 10 years ago and I am wondering whether contacts will be needed soon but the eco side definitely worried me
I think it is great that opticians will recycle glasses for people in developing countries. I volunteer in a charity shop and if we get any glasses donated we give them to specsavers. I had not thought about contact lenses.
Brilliant post, I don’t wear glasses so hadn’t considered this but it’s good to know that there are options
I am always trying to limit my impact on the environment so peep eyewear sounds brilliant. It is good that you can recycle your contact lenses and your glasses as well.