Considering that most people have their prescriptions updated once a year, a single eyeglass patient can go through over 50 pairs of glasses within a lifetime. Multiply that by the number of people who wear eyeglasses, and the amount of used frames and lenses becomes astronomical. Unfortunately, when most of these people upgrade to a new pair of glasses, they’ll throw the old pair in the trash. Those used pairs of glasses can be recycled, reused by other patients, or donated to a visually impaired person in need. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available that can provide much better places to leave your glasses instead of the trash.
First of all, eyeglasses are made from plastic, metal, and glass: all which are recyclable and reusable. This gives you some options when it’s time to upgrade. Here’s a list of the different ways you can make sure that your old eyeglasses end up on someone else’s face and not in a landfill. 1. Goodwill, the Easiest Method.
All Goodwill Industry locations accept eyeglasses. Goodwill works with other programs to either recycle the glasses, or donate them to someone who is visually and financially impaired. Most prescription glasses are sent overseas, on account of U.S. laws prohibiting the resale of used prescription glasses.
2. Let the Lions Have It.
Lion’s Club International is a community improvement organization with locations all over the world. Their LERCs (Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers) are specifically designed to take old eyeglasses and redistribute them internationally to those in need. To find a location near you, visit their website at www.lionsclubs.org.
3. New Eyes for the Needy.
N.E.F.T.N. is an organization that purchases new eyeglasses and recycles donated glasses for distribution to poor children and adults worldwide. In 2009, they provided eyeglasses to 5,167 people in the U.S. They have over 3,500 opticians in the U.S. that accept donations for their program. Visit www.neweyesfortheneedy.org to find a location in your vicinity.
