Specsavers launches eyeglass and contact lens recycling initiative

Specsavers Ellon customers will be able to drop off eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and accessories.

The new initiative comes after high street opticians teamed up with recycling experts MYgroup to install recycling collection boxes at Specsavers stores across the country.

Specsavers Ellon customers will be able to drop off metal and plastic glasses and sunglasses, as well as contact lenses and accessories, including blister packs, contact lens cases and solution bottles.

Once the collection bins are full, the items will be shipped to MYgroup’s recycling plant.

Glasses and contact lenses will be given a second life and repurposed into a wide range of items such as furniture, home and garden accessories, including benches and playground equipment.

It can also be used in construction as an excellent alternative to plywood.

Unlike some recycled items, the recycled cardboard created by MYgroup has the potential to be recycled again and again, so any item dropped off for recycling can be reused multiple times.

This is just one of many steps Specsavers is taking to try to protect the planet and achieve its goal of becoming climate positive – removing more CO2 from the environment than the company generates – by 2035. .

Jill McArthur, Retail Manager at Ellon Store, said: “At Specsavers we strive to improve what we do to protect the planet, so we are delighted to offer customers the opportunity to recycle a range of eyewear products. We know from customer feedback that people want to be able to recycle eye care products, so we are very pleased to be able to meet our customers’ needs in this important way.

“Sustainability is at the heart of our plan for the future and by offering this service, we are making it easier than ever for our customers to play their part.”

Michael Derbyshire, Business Development Manager at MyGroup, said: “MyGroup is delighted to be working with Specsavers and helping to provide an in-store recycling solution for their hard-to-recycle waste.

“Using our expertise, knowledge and innovative recycling systems, this initiative will enable Specsavers valued customers to recycle materials that would previously have gone to landfill or incineration into a range of useful products. . Our partnership with Specsavers validates the hard work we’ve put in over the years and we can’t wait to get started.

What can I recycle at my local Specsavers?

Spectacles, sunglasses, contact lenses, plastic contact lens packaging (solution bottles, blister packs, cases and tweezers)

What can’t be recycled in my local Specsavers?

Glasses cases and lens cloths