Donating or recycling old and unused belongings is always a great idea, but did you know that you can donate glasses? Instead of allowing old eyewear to gather dust and clutter up your space, why not take a few easy steps to give it new life?
Let’s talk about exactly how and where it’s done!
Why Donate Glasses?
Millions of people worldwide still view prescription eyeglasses as a luxury rather than a necessity. Let’s face it, eyewear can be expensive. For individuals in underserved domestic and international communities, the main focus is on food, shelter, and medical care.
Civic organizations often collect used glasses as part of larger outreach programs, sometimes offering free eye exams alongside distribution.
The public is encouraged to help, mainly through donations of used glasses. Beyond the humanitarian aspect, donating or recycling your old eyeglasses is a way to reduce waste and conserve resources.
Where to Donate Eyeglasses
Ready to participate in eyewear donation and recycling programs and help underserved communities see more clearly? Check out these organizations:
Thrift Stores
Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and other similar organizations accept used eyeglasses. These stores are go-to outlets for people who need basic items, such as clothes and eyewear, but have limited funds. Typically, you can drop off your used eyeglasses at donation centers in your city or have their team pick up the items at your convenience.
Friendly Neighborhood Optometrists and Opticians
Your local eye care professionals are also superheroes in the quest to improve eye care for those in need. Ask them if they will accept your used eyewear or know of anyone who can. They sometimes organize donation drives and eye care outreach programs.
Lions Club International
Lions Club International is a worldwide service club that was established in Chicago in 1917. It has since expanded its membership and operations worldwide, conducting service programs that address the needs of the underprivileged. Their Eyeglasses and Hearing Aid Recycling Drive began in 1925.
There are multiple ways to donate through your local Lions Club:
- Contact your local Lions Club to see if they can accept donations.
- Lions Club International currently has a partnership with Walmart. Check with your local store to be safe, but you should be able to leave your eyewear donation at any Walmart Vision Center.
- Search for the nearest Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Center (LERC) or see if mailing donations is an option.
Other Ways to Contribute
Some organizations prefer cash donations, which they use to provide new prescription glasses to those in need. These include:
EssilorLuxottica, the company behind several luxury eyewear brands (Prada, Oliver Peoples, and Michael Kors, to name a few), also runs the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, a charitable organization aimed at eliminating uncorrected poor vision. Currently, they aren’t accepting used eyewear, but you can donate funds through their website.
Recycling Eyewear
Donating eyewear is great, but sometimes, old glasses are simply unsalvageable. If that’s the case with yours, consider recycling to minimize your environmental footprint.
While eyewear-specific recycling programs are still limited, reaching out to these establishments may pay off:
Local Recycling Centers
Check with your local recycling center to see if they have policies regarding eyeglasses. Some centers accept them as part of their plastic or metal recycling programs.
Be sure to ask for their recycling guidelines, as they may ask you to separate metal, plastic, or lens materials before drop-off or pick-up.
Eyewear Manufacturers
Some eyeglasses manufacturers offer take-back programs for their products. Contact their customer support or visit their website for more information.
General Plastic Recycling Centers
Some eyeglasses can be recycled through plastic recycling centers. Check with your local center to see if they accept eyewear. You may just have to remove metal and other non-plastic components.
Repurposing Eyewear
If all else fails, consider turning your old eyewear into creative accessories, such as earrings, necklaces, or even brooches. With a few basic craft supplies, your old eyewear can become something new. The creative possibilities are limitless!
Turn your old lenses into fashionable accessories:
You can make earrings, necklaces, and bracelets from old lenses and frames. All you need are a few craft store items, such as earring hooks and jump rings, reliable adhesive, a pair of pliers, and your imagination. Add a few more embellishments, such as beads and charms, and you have your own unique fashion accessories.
Want an interesting brooch to go with your outfit? Craft one using old lenses.
Upcycle your old eyewear this Christmas:
Christmas tree trims are creative expressions of the season, but the most eye-catching decorations come with a steep price tag. Save on your seasonal budget by repurposing your old eyewear. Turn it into creative Christmas tree ornaments!
Try making it a family activity; get your kids involved! This will make your seasonal decorations more special.
Create timeless art with an old pair of glasses:
Wire-rimmed photo frames are charming and nostalgic. They add a vintage touch to modern spaces and make great conversation starters.
Whether you use them to display family photos or favorite quotes, they offer a timeless way to show what matters most to you.
Include eyewear in an embroidery project:
Give your old glasses a glow-up! Embroidery adds texture and can turn a simple pair of frames into a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Show off your creation on a small pillow, in a clear case, or atop a stack of old, hardcover books for added impact.
How about stained glass art?
Old eyeglass lenses can be transformed into colorful stained glass pieces. By adding translucent paints and inserting them into leaded frames, you can mimic the look of classic stained glass in a modern, compact form.
Hang them near a window to catch the light, and watch your upcycled art come to life!
TL;DR Summary
There are several ways to reuse your old glasses:
- Donate them to thrift stores and civic organizations, such as the Lions Club International.
- Ask your local optometrist if they accept old glasses as donations.
- Organizations, such as Vision Service Plan – VSP Eyes of Hope, New Eyes, and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, accept monetary donations.
- Recycle your old eyeglasses through a local recycling center, or contact the eyewear manufacturer for suggestions.
- Upcycle old eyewear into fashionable accessories, decorative home goods, and art pieces.
The Bottom Line: Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Don’t add your old glasses to the global waste stream; instead, make the sustainable choice.
