Contact Lens Recycling

Within our Leightons branches, we now offer a recycling scheme for contact lenses. We all know we only have one planet, so we want to help you do your bit by keeping your used contact lenses out of landfill and turning them into something new.

Our contact lens recycling bins are now available in all Leightons branches. Just pop in and drop your old contact lenses into our designated recycling bin – it really is as easy as that!

We accept:

  • Any brand of soft disposable contact lenses (daily, two-weekly or monthly)
  • Any brand of contact lens blister packaging
  • Any brand of foil from the contact lens blister packaging

Recycling contact lenses can be challenging, with many people simply throwing them away or flushing them down the drain. We want to provide an option for our contact lens wearers that is both simple and of benefit to the environment.

How does it work?

Once the recycling bins are full, they are emptied and the lenses are shipped off to be recycled. The waste is mechanically and manually separated into plastics, metals and fibres. Plastics are notoriously difficult to dispose of, so by recycling them they can be extruded and remoulded into new plastic products. The metals that are separated out are melted and recycled, and the fibres (made up of paper or wood-based products) can be recycled or composted.

Unfortunately, not everything can be recycled

Please do not include unwanted solution bottles when dropping off your waste. We also cannot accept organics, broken glass, bio-medical waste, soiled nappies, expired medication, pesticides, paint, pressurized cannisters and medical sharps. Unfortunately, these items cannot yet be recycled. Any traditional recyclable waste should go to your local council system.

Why recycle contact lenses?

At Leightons, we understand the importance of looking after our planet. We believe every step towards a healthier planet, no matter how big or small, is important.

To find your nearest branch with a contact lens recycling point, use our Branch Finder or call us on 0800 40 20 20 for more information.