Sydney Optometrist Icon Eyewear is diverting used contact lenses from landfill, as part of a national recycling program operated by TerraCycle and Bausch + Lomb.
Through the Bausch + Lomb Recycling Program, 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, the program sponsor Bausch + Lomb donates AU$1.00 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 also said she appreciated her business’s role as an intermediary for the recycling programme. “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.”