Sunglasses are not an item you would class as single-use; however, they are what we would refer to as throw-away. Do you want to know if you can recycle sunglasses? Read on to learn what you can do with your sunglasses.
We all wear sunglasses. They are important not only for fashion but for protecting our eyes and seeing where we are going. They are probably the second thing you pick up when you leave the house, phone, sunglasses, keys.
Many of us even own several pairs, a pair for the car, for different outfits, or sometimes a cheap pair you picked up on holidays when you forgot yours. So how can you do to reduce the impact of all these sunglasses on the planet?
The problem is altogether the world buys a lot of sunglasses. More than 200 million pairs of sunglasses are purchased in the U.S. annually, over 1 billion worldwide, and this is expected to grow.
So Many Sunglasses!
The other problem is sunglasses are extremely fragile items. There are those teeny tiny little screws that inevitably work their way out and disappear somewhere leaving you with a detached arm or lost nose pad. They get thrown around in bags or at the beach and
Unfortunately, it’s pretty tough to recycle sunglasses. All those small parts and different types of materials make it pretty tricky.
The best idea is to take care of what you have, keep your sunglasses in a case, and tighten the screws on a regular basis. That way they will last as long as possible.
If you are in need of a new pair then why not buy eco-friendly sunglasses made from recycled materials. There are some really great fashionable sunglasses made from recycled ocean-bound plastic. Or you could try a pair made from wood or bamboo that is biodegradable.
The Benefits of Sunglasses
There’s no question that sunglasses are a necessary item for our health. They are not only about style, but they also provide important protection for our sensitive eyes. One of the most important is the protection from UV rays from the sun, which can damage not only the skin around your eyes but also your eyes.
Potential impacts from UV rays include cataracts, macular degeneration, and pterygium, a white tissue growth known as surfer’s eye. None of these sound very nice, and then there is cancer, a risk to your eyes and the sensitive skin around the eyes. Sunglasses also protect from the elements, especially if you have an active life, surfing, boating, snowboarding, etc.
The best way to protect your eyes from these issues is to look for sunglasses with UV protection. You’ve probably heard of the two types of sunglass properties, polarization, and UV protection. Polarization helps stop the glare and makes it easier to see, but it does not protect your eyes.
You want to go for sunglasses with UV protection for the best protection, blocking potentially harmful UV light rays from reaching your eyes. For full protection, glasses should fully cover your eyes and wrap around the sides.
How to Recycle Your Sunglasses
Many different materials are used in Sunglasses. The frames can be made from plastic, metal, or even wood or other materials. They often use small pieces of metal to hold things together or to add a nose pad. The lenses are usually made from plastic.
As with many other items, the combination of all these different types of materials makes sunglasses very difficult to recycle. They need to be pulled apart into the separate parts.
Sunglasses do not belong in your curbside recycling bin as material recycling facilities (MRFs) are not set up to do this type of work.
If your frames are made from metal, you can recycle those parts at a metal recycling yard. However, you will need to separate the metal first.
Until there are better options, the best thing you can do is buy good quality so they will last. Better still, buy sunglasses already made from recycled plastic or other materials.
Look after what you have by keeping your sunglasses clean, in their protective case, and the screws tightened. When the lenses get scratched, get them replaced rather than update the whole set of sunglasses.
Otherwise, look at donating them if they are still in good condition.
Repair or Donate Your Sunglasses
You can reduce your impact by repairing your sunglasses or donating them to a charity.
Repair Your Sunglasses
The lens can be replaced easily enough. You can send your scratched-up sunglasses into Sunglass Fix, and they will put new lenses into the frame for a small fee. They operate worldwide using DHL shipping. Remember to keep the screws tight so you don’t lose your nose pad or arm.
Donate Your Sunglasses
Donating your old sunglasses not only makes sure they are reused but also helps change lives. Millions of people worldwide have vision problems but no access to eye care or cannot buy their own pair of glasses.
Providing your old sunglasses are not all scratched up (if so, why not replace the lens as suggested above), you can donate them to a charity. Even if you have a prescription lens in the sunglasses, they may be able to be used.
Where to donate old glasses
Recycled For Sight, the Lions Club glasses recycling program delivers quality glasses and sunglasses to people in need overseas. Drop off your pre-loved glasses into the recycling box at your local store, depending on your country. Check their website below for locations.
- United States – Lions Club glasses recycling program
- United Kingdom – Vision Aid Overseas
- Canada – Lions Clubs Recycle Used Eyeglasses
- Australia – Specsavers in partnership Lions Club
- International – Lions Club glasses recycling program
Another program that accepts eyewear donations in the United States is OneSight. Small quantities of eyewear can be dropped off at your local LensCrafters, Sears Optical, or Pearle Vision locations. Large quantities can be shipped at the donor’s expense directly to OneSight.
Why Buy Recycled Sunglasses?
As described above, sunglasses are often made from plastic, and as you would all know by now, we are in the middle of a global plastic waste crisis.
Unfortunately, the plastic in sunglasses is not easily recycled. However, the good news is that sunglasses can be made from recycled plastic and other upcycled waste. Designers are coming up with many unique styles and designs made using recycled materials. Learn more in Buy Recycled: The Best Eco-Friendly Sunglasses.
The Wrap
As with many things in our lives, sunglasses are tricky to recycle. They are made from many different materials and small components. The best thing you can do is buy good quality, look after what you have and get it repaired before buying a new pair.
You can donate your sunglasses if they are in relatively good condition to be used by someone else in the world.
Finally, when considering buying a new pair, go for eco-friendly sunglasses made from recycled materials. This is a great way that you can reduce your impact on the planet.
Want to know if you can recycle other items like milk cartons, egg cartons, packing peanuts, or more? Check our blog for answers!
