Millmead to unveil lens waste sculpture

Millmead Optical Group has announced the unveiling of a sculpture created from discarded demo lenses and lens swarf from the company’s factory in Liverpool.

The sculpture was conceived and designed by designer, Yair Neuman, who was assisted by Hannah Browne, a fine art student at Liverpool John Moores University.

Called ‘Heavy-Light,’ the sculpture has been put on display at the Open Eye Gallery, on Liverpool’s Royal Albert Docks.

Millmead said it hopes ‘Heavy-Light’ provides “food for thought” and inspiration for others “embarking on their sustainability journey.”

An official unveiling will be held on 9 December, where the sculpture will be introduced by Neuman.

Neuman said: “I’m delighted to be unveiling the sculpture in Liverpool’s Open Eye Gallery.”

Describing the process as “an incredible learning experience for us all,” Neuman explained: “The central message of this project is of huge significance; if we can turn discarded waste products into something beautiful and begin those important discussions about reducing industrial waste, then there is hope for us all to become part of the solution.”

At the unveiling, CEO of Millmead Optical Group, James Conway, will discuss the purpose of the sculpture, and its wider importance.

He commented: “Sustainability is a journey, not a destination, and it’s one that we embarked on four years ago at Millmead. However, this collaboration with Yair Neuman, and the work we’ve developed to find more sustainable uses for our waste products, is by far the biggest step that we have taken along our own journey.”

After its unveiling at the Liverpool Open Eye Gallery, the sculpture will be toured at galleries and industry events nationwide, including an appearance on the Millmead Optical Group stand at 100% Optical (25–27 February 2023).