We can't yet go completely Plastic-Free in Optics, but we can reduce plastic, and we can go Plastic-Balanced

Unfortunately we're still very dependent of virgin fossil-fuel derived plastics in the optical and eyecare industry. It's true that non-plastic and biodegradable materials are making a greater presence in our products, but we have a long way to go before we can completely kick plastics.

So here are two hugely important things that any optical business, practices or suppliers, can do to help reduce their plastic footprint this July:

Become an Optical Recycling Centre

Optical plastics, as used in frames, lenses, contact lenses and sprays, etc. are by their nature difficult to recycle. Users can't just pop them in their recycling bin at home - but there are specialist options able to give new life to our challenging plastics!

The easiest, one-size-fits-all solution is the Optical Recycling box from ReFactory - they'll take all optical plastics in the one box, so especially for a practice just starting a recycling scheme this is a great simple solution.

But there are also some other brilliant options out there - they just don't necessarily take as many products in a singular box. You could also consider:

• Bird Eyewear's Spectacle Recycling Scheme 
• Recycline's Spectacle Recycling Scheme
• Terracycle's Contct Lens Recycling Scheme

Start using a combination of the above that has your business able to recycle all optical plastics - covering spectacles and contact lens plastics, and we'll be delighted to offer you a free Optical Recycling Centre certification!

Become Plastic Balanced

Global plastic pollution is a serious crisis for humans and wildlife alike. Optics may not be among the greatest polluters when it comes to ocean plastic, but we can still join the fight to clean up the planet!

Our innovative Plastic Footprinting Framework provides the guidance on how you can calculate your business's plastic footprint - the amount of plastic waste you're responsible for each year.

You can then balance your plastic footprint through our partnership with CleanHub, by supporting the collection of the equivalent mass of plastic waste from polluted environments.

Your Plastic Balanced certification awaits.

Take Action on Plastic This July

As well as championing recycling and balancing your unavoidable plastic footprint, there's more you can do to help reduce plastic in your business, and in our industry.

• Re-use undamaged plastic packaging or return to the supplier,
• Express preference for lower-plastic and more easily recyclable products,
• Share what you're doing, or would like to be able to do, with your patients, customers, and suppliers, to catalyse further action!