How to Recycle Old Glasses
Do you have a pair of old glasses squirrelled away at the back of a drawer? You’re not alone. According to a 2020 survey, it’s estimated that 77% of UK women and 68% of UK men wear glasses or contact lenses. It’s also very likely that these glasses wearers will have more than one pair in their lifetime. We’ll get into why in a bit. But what exactly should you do with an old pair of glasses that no longer meet your prescription needs? Or glasses that have been damaged? The most sustainable solution is to recycle them. We’ll be going through everything you need to know about how to recycle old glasses in the UK, including the whys, wheres and hows.
Why Should I Recycle My Glasses?
So why exactly should we recycle our glasses? As mentioned above, it’s highly likely that glasses-wearers will have more than one pair of glasses in their lifetime. This is because our vision correction requirements change as we get older. However, the result of this is a mini-collection of old glasses building up in our cupboards, often getting forgotten.
It can be a bit difficult to know what to do with them, as it’s not widely advertised what to do with old pairs. But the answer is simple - recycle. Eyeglasses are made from non-biodegradable materials, like plastics and metals. They also contain harmful microplastics that can pollute the environment. These materials mean that they’re not suitable to throw away into household rubbish or go into landfill. A sustainable approach is required here! Restoring them or recycling them for their parts is a far-more earth friendly solution to clearing out your old pairs.
But eyeglasses aren’t suitable for household recycling that is picked up by local authorities. They simply don’t have the resources or means to deal with them. So what exactly do you do next?
How to Recycle Old Glasses
When it comes to how to recycle your old glasses, it’s a matter of doing a little bit of research. Here’s what you can do:
- Check your local recycling centre to see if they’re accepted.
- Check local charities if you’re able to donate to them.
- Trade in with us. More of this in a bit!
As you can see, recycling old glasses takes a specialist approach. But the good news is that there are lots of options to choose from. Let’s explore these further.
Where to Recycle Glasses
There are lots of places where you can recycle your old eyeglasses. Here’s some of our top recommendations:
- Fashion Eyewear! Our trade-in programme will take in your old frames for you. Upon inspection, we’ll either restore or recycle them. We’ll also give you credit towards your next order with us! All you need to do is fill in our quick form, and we’ll send you a prepaid shipping label. Simply pop your old glasses in the post, and we’ll take things from here.
- Some recycling centres have points to drop in your old glasses. However, you’ll need to check with your local council if these are available at your local centre. We recommend doing a quick search on your local authority website or giving them a call.
- If you would like to go the charity route, get in touch with Lions Club International. They’ll inspect your old pair of glasses, and then send them to eye clinics and partner charities. Your old glasses can be used by those who have matching prescriptions in countries including Papua New Guinea, Nigeria, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Any that aren’t usable have their parts recycled, which funds the charity’s ongoing work.
Another charity option is Recycline. This organisation recovers and reuses the plastic and metals in former framers, so there is zero waste. You can find their recycling boxes across the UK, notably in opticians and household recycling centres.