Comments on: How can I reuse or recycle old spectacles?

By: graphic design bedford

graphic design bedford — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 09:44:21 +0000

recycled my old pair of glasses destined for third world, still in good nick so felt i did my bit. Was a box in my local opticians.

By: alison bailey smith

alison bailey smith — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:05:46 +0000

http://www.stuarthaygarth.com/default.asp?V_DOC_ID=1177
SPECTACLE (2006 ) by Stuart Haygarth

Spectacle is created from over 1000 pairs of prescription spectacles which are linked together to resemble a traditional tiered chandelier. By using prescriptive spectacles which were once an essential tool for seeing an interesting analogy is drawn between their old and new purposes. A mirror ball light effect is produced as the light is refracted through the several layers of lenses.

By: How can I reuse or recycle contact lenses? | How can I recycle this?

How can I reuse or recycle contact lenses? | How can I recycle this? — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 09:02:10 +0000

[...] – spectacles – are quite widely collected for recycling/reusing overseas — a lot of opticians have [...]

By: Lindsey Turner

Lindsey Turner — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:04:32 +0000

I used to work for D & A, and World Vision Overseas do accept bifocals and varifocals. Often, just by re-adjusting the nose pads, these types of spectacles can make a huge difference to those in third world countries who cannot afford them. They are not too worried if the power of the lens is slightly incorrect. Better something than nothing.

By: WEEE recycling

WEEE recycling — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:23:39 +0000

A friend of mine had their eyes lasered recently and after the procedure they were asked to place their glasses into a perspex bin showing potential customers how many people had been relieved of glasses in that month. Once the month is out they then donate to vision aid. I thought whilst a good marketing gimic it also encourage people to donate their old pairs of glasses too even if not having the procedure done. I wear glasses/contacts and donated my old glasses to the same charity.

By: Contact Lens Rebate Guy

Contact Lens Rebate Guy — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:01:30 +0000

Replace My Contacts started a program where they accept old glasses. One per customer, a $5 rebate will be given on any contact lens order if glasses are donated. RMC will also send the box to mail your old glasses AND pay for shipping. Glasses will be donated to world vision care organizations. Everyone wins. Find more details at the RMC homepage, http://www.replacemycontacts.com

By: Tony Harrison

Tony Harrison — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:26:11 +0000

I and my friends in Chichester Lions Club spend many hours each week sorting spectacles sent to us by Lions clubs throughout the UK. Most are donated via collecting bins in opticians etc.
We don’t use cases, but even broken spectacles can be turned into cash if they are made of the right materials and this can provide funds which we use to support sight related charities.
See our web site for more information.

By: How can I reuse or recycle old sunglasses or sunglass lenses? | How can I recycle this?

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:09:28 +0000

[...] charities who collect prescription spectacles for redistribution overseas don’t collect loose prescription lens so unfortunately I doubt anyone will collect [...]

By: Deedo

Deedo — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:08:20 +0000

Use them as a base for making masks.

By: Shorty

Shorty — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:33:36 +0000

Take out the lenses, replace them with regular clear plastic, and give them to your local high school actor.

By: Olga

Olga — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:03:37 +0000

Soft rubbery parts of glasses can be reused for the kitchen cabinets doors so they close quietly. Just glue them on.

By: Olga

Olga — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:59:48 +0000

If the lens does not have a hall already, drill one, draw or write something on the lens and wear as a necklace,

By: Olga

Olga — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:57:31 +0000

Create a vase out of clay or plaster inserting lenses here and there for transparent details.
Make a doll house using lenses as window glass.
Use several lenses to form flower petals. Stick them into clay or plaster base.

By: Olga

Olga — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:44:17 +0000

Remove lenses, paint them with glass paint and try to do some stained glass project.

By: Grace

Grace — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:07:09 +0000

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

By: Spectacles Blog Updates: Odds & Sods – Spectacles Blog

Spectacles Blog Updates: Odds & Sods – Spectacles Blog — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 07:49:51 +0000

[...] now I’ve just picked up the green side – as in recycling. SO you can feel good about giving your old spectacles to someone who needs them [...]

By: Tate

Tate — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 18:20:15 +0000

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.

By: jo

jo — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:34:30 +0000

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.

By: How can I reuse or recycle glasses cases? » How can I recycle this?

How can I reuse or recycle glasses cases? » How can I recycle this? — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:07:51 +0000

[...] there are a lot of charities that collect old spectacles for redistribution overseas, those that filter them onto Vision Aid Overseas won’t take the [...]

By: Stephen

Stephen — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:11:47 +0000

please see http://www.vao.org.uk/spectacles/ to see how to recycle your unwanted spectacles

By: Lizard

Lizard — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:38:25 +0000

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?

By: christine

christine — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:40:42 +0000

James wrote:

You can take your old glasses into D+A opticians and they are sent to a charity i think it’s wold vision.
James

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.

By: Camron

Camron — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:23:33 +0000

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

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:37:59 +0000

Costco also collects frames for charity

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 05:08:26 +0000

Perhaps an old stuffed animal could use some specs.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 19:30:45 +0000

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.

By: Milly

Milly — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:22:12 +0000

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.

By: Christine Gupta

Christine Gupta — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 13:55:33 +0000

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.

By: allan

allan — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 12:52:15 +0000

lions interntional will receive and recycle

By: James

James — Tue, 14 Nov 2006 10:19:37 +0000

You can take your old glasses into D+A opticians and they are sent to a charity i think it’s wold vision.

James