How can I reuse or recycle … old spectacles?
After some indepth testing last week (closing one eye then the other, note blurriness, rinse, repeat), I suspect it’s time for me to get some new glasses.
I get new specs every other year or so: partly because with the ones I pick, it’s about the same cost to get completely new glasses as it is to get lenses replaced in my existing glasses and partly because after wearing them for at least 12 hours a day, every day, after a couple of years I fancy a change.
Anyway, I have a number of old pairs hanging around the house - as spares and for wearing when decorating etc. But what else can I do with them?
I have a feeling some charities collect them for redistribution overseas - anyone know of any charities in particular?
(Photo by capetan)
You can take your old glasses into D+A opticians and they are sent to a charity i think it’s wold vision.
James
James wrote:
thankyou James,Been wondering what to do with TWENTY pairs i found among my late parents belongings,they were forgetful,poor guys,just kept ordering new ones.
lions interntional will receive and recycle
Vision Aid Overseas, in association with KODAK Lens, have a spectacle recycling scheme called the Second Sight Project.
You can donate your old glasses to the scheme via your nearest KODAK Lens Vision Centre, your local Vision Express, or you can request a donation envelope.
Please note that they can’t accept: spectacles that are broken, bifocals or varifocals, or spectacle cases.
Hello Louisa, I too have several pairs of old specs and have discovered that most opticians will take them to be re-used in the Third World. Also Help the Aged shops will take them.
Yah, I found a pair of glasses at a thrift store (Goodwill I think) and my optician just put in new lenses for me. Kinda rare to find a snazzy set of frames, but as someone on the receiving end of a donated pair of glasses, I can say that the idea works.
Perhaps an old stuffed animal could use some specs.
Costco also collects frames for charity
Specs-Store.co.uk is another place who are accepting frames on behalf of Vision Aid. Being a frames specialist they also refurbish the frames for free before sending them on the VA.
http://www.specs-store.co.uk/recycle-frames.asp
Vision Aid receive specs from many opticians and ensure that they are porperly prescribed in developing countries but they can’t take the specs cases as the add to transport costs. The also use prison workers to refurbish the glasses and test the strength but I think they don’t take them if they are too damaged. Any suggestions for the cases?
please see http://www.vao.org.uk/spectacles/ to see how to recycle your unwanted spectacles
Didn’t the late eric morcombe’s wife start a charity, as eric had so many glasses she sent them overseas where they were needed. I’ve looked but cannot find the website.
A Couple Of Points:
[1] I’d give the old cases to young children to keep various children-only things in. When I was a kid I couldn’t get enough little boxes, cases, wallets, tins etc. Kids love them and they can store penknives, paperclips, toenail cuttings, collecting cards, secret messages etc in them.
[2] You can of course get your old spectacles repaired! Don’t throw them away (VAO don’t take broken spectacles). Places on the High St may tell you they cannot be mended but 95% can be! Phone up Spec Repairs (01255 426 644)and ask them. The whole thing can be done by post/phone and it’s not expensive.
The lions club international has an eyeglass recycling and has had one in many countries for years:
http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/our-work/sight-programs/eyeglass-recycling/lions-eyeglass-recycling-centers.php