Contact Lens Recycling Program
Did you know over 290 million contact lenses end up in Canadian landfills or waterways every year? Due to the small size of contact lenses and their packaging, they often get filtered out during the sorting process at recycling facilities. Now we have a solution to help keep contact lenses out of landfills!
Thanks to Bausch & Lomb and Terracycle, we are excited to be offering a contact lens recycling program. It’s super easy, anyone can do it, and yes it’s free. Just follow the instructions below:
WHAT YOU DO
- Collect your used (and dry) contact lenses, blister packs, and top foils.
- Pop into Oak Bay Optometry and drop all your recyclables in our special contact lens recycling bin.
- Yes it’s that easy!
WHAT WE DO
- Once they are collected, contact lenses and blister packs are separated and cleaned.
- Metal components are recycled separately, while the plastic components are melted and remolded into recycled products.
- FUN FACT: Bausch + Lomb recently announced they will be donating training modules to the Guide Dog Foundation. These modules include benches, tables, an agility ramp, and waste stations to help the non-for-profit organization train guide dogs for people who are blind or visually impaired. How great is that!
FAQ
What about the cardboard boxes?
Any cardboard and paper can be recycled through regular municipal recycling. While we won’t process any cardboard through Baush + Lomb, we will accept your boxes if you do not have access to local recycling.
Can I recycle unopened or expired contact lenses?
If you have any unopened contact lenses we ask that you please drain the solution from the pack before bringing them in. Expired contact lenses are excepted as well, again, as long as there’s no liquid in the blister packs.
Do I need to wash my contacts before recycling them?
You do not need to wash them but, as mentioned above, please remove as much liquid as possible from the blister packs.