New life for old contact lenses

Sydney-based optical practice Icon Eyewear is diverting contact lenses from landfill on behalf of the local community, as part of a national recycling program operated by TerraCycle and eye health company Bausch + Lomb.

Through the Bausch + Lomb Recycling Programme, Icon Eyewear collects all brands of used contact lenses and blister packs and sends these to TerraCycle, which shreds, cleans and melts them down into raw materials to create garden beds, park benches and playgrounds.

Additionally, for each kilogram of contact lens waste sent to TerraCycle, program sponsor Bausch + Lomb donates $1 to the Optometry Giving Sight foundation.

Maria Dimitratos from Icon Eyewear said patients have been excited by the recycling initiative.

“We have mentioned the program to patients and have received positive feedback, with many keen to bring in old blister packs and lenses,” she said.

“It is gratifying to know we can help the environment in this way and that we are part of a team effort between the consumer, Bausch + Lomb and TerraCycle.”

TerraCycle operates several free recycling programs that help Australians recycle hard-to-recycle waste — such as empty shampoo bottles, food packaging, coffee capsules and cosmetic products — free of charge.

Collectors simply visit www.terracycle.com.au, create an account and join any of the free recycling programs that suit them. Next, they collect the hard-to-recycle waste in any old cardboard box or container. Once full, they log on to their TerraCycle account, download a free Australia Post shipping label, stick it on the box and drop it to their nearest Australia Post Office.

To date, across 21 countries, TerraCycle has diverted 3.8 billion pieces of waste from landfill and incineration, and has raised US$15.6 million for non-profit organisations and charities worldwide.

To learn more about TerraCycle’s free recycling programs, visit www.terracycle.com.au/en-AU/brigades.