A first-of-its-kind website has been designed to educate eye care professionals and patients about the environmental impact of contact lenses and eyewear, as well as about practical solutions for recycling and responsible disposal.
SustainableEyecare.com, which launched ahead of Earth Day (22 April 2025), was created by the Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo.
Practitioners and staff have the opportunity to address this challenge and patients’ other environmental questions as part of routine care and follow-up
“Consumers are increasingly conscious about the amount of waste they generate, including the use of plastics associated with contact lenses, frames, and spectacle lenses. However, many don’t have complete information needed to make good choices. For instance, despite having the best of intentions when putting their contact lens packaging in the recycling bin, people are largely unaware that blister packs or contact lens foils may not be accepted by municipal recyclers,” said Dr. Lyndon Jones, director of CORE.
“Practitioners and staff have the opportunity to address this challenge and patients’ other environmental questions as part of routine care and follow-up.
“SustainableEyecare.com aims to help by providing targeted education and actionable guidance in a clear, compelling way.”
The site includes:
- Easy-to-understand information about the environmental challenges linked to contact lens, frames, and spectacle lens disposal.
- Clear instructions for how to properly dispose of lenses to minimise environmental effects.
- A directory of known recycling programs around the world, as well as a listing of green initiatives from select eye care manufacturers and industry bodies.
- Customisable resources and downloadable infographics that eye care professionals can use to educate patients, some of which are available in 30 languages.
- Tips on how to build sustainability into clinical practice operations.
- A compendium of relevant peer-reviewed and professional publications.
“This Earth Day, we’re encouraging everyone in eye care to take another step toward protecting our planet. Society has benefited immeasurably from contact lenses and glasses, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be mindful of their disposal. Whether you’re a patient wanting to reduce your plastic footprint or an eye care professional looking to implement greener practices, SustainableEyecare.com provides tools and knowledge to help make a difference,” said Dr Jones.
CORE plans to update the site with additional resources from across the eye care spectrum, and encourages organisations to submit their own initiatives for possible inclusion over the coming weeks and months.
