Eyespace launches demo lens recycling scheme

The B-Corp frame supplier, Eyespace, has rolled out a demo lens recycling programme that is available to all optometry practices and Rx labs across the UK.

The scheme encourages the collection of used acrylic demo lenses, regardless of brand.

Once a container has been filled, this can be sent to the Eyespace head office or a collection can be requested through an Eyespace area sales manager.

Eyespace has partnered with a specialist recycling company that will process the plastic demo lenses, melting and compressing the material into sheets to be repurposed for secondary uses, such as fittings in office refurbishments.

Emily Andrews, product director and chief sustainability officer at Eyespace, described demo lenses as “one of the most significant areas of waste for our industry.”

“We’ve been repeatedly asked whether demo lenses can be recycled. Until recently this has been a ‘pipe-dream,’ Andrews said.

“However, today we’re incredibly proud to be able to offer opticians and Rx labs a new and completely free solution to counter the single plastic waste that has, until now, been unavoidable,” she continued

Eyespace uses biodegradable demo lenses across the majority of its products, Andrews shared, and will now seek to make it “simple” for practices to recycle demo lenses, preventing them from “ending up in landfill where they take centuries to decompose.”

Only acrylic demo lenses can be accepted to the scheme, due to the alternative process required for recycling prescription lenses, the company shared.

Andrews highlighted that there is “more to come” from Eyespace as it continues to make “bold choices when it comes to sustainability initiatives.”