In January 2019 a National scheme to recycle contact lenses was launched 

With over 3.7 million soft lens users in the UK this National initiative is a definite step in the right direction. Regardless of brand, wearers of lenses can drop off their waste at Coleman Opticians on St Augustine’s Street, Norwich, whether they are a patient at the practice or not.

The scheme also recycles the blister and foil packaging, and any money returned for the recycling will be benefiting the opticians charity of the year, Keeping Abreast, a charity close to their hearts.

Research suggests that 20% of consumers currently flush their plastic lenses down the toilet or sink. 

Reducing plastic waste is something the Managing Director Kate Fenn is keen to encourage and being a designated drop off centre for the Acuvue Lens Recycle Programme in partnership with global recycling specialist TerraCycle is just one of recycling projects the team are supporting.

The team at Coleman Opticians have put recycling at the top of the agenda for 2019 and are striving to make big changes in all their business activities to be as green as possible.  Other schemes they have signed up for include dropping off your spectacles to be donated to the developing world organised by the Norwich Lions, drop off all batteries including hearing aid batteries and ink cartridges. Coleman Opticians is also part of the Refill Norwich scheme where you can always come and fill up with tap water.

Kate Fenn, Managing Director, ‘we are keen to play an active part in the community and be responsible business owners, and the recycle schemes are becoming part of our daily routine now both public facing as well as behind the scenes. We are pleased to be a destination for the contact lens recycle project and want to make it a great success’.

So do pop into our Norwich practice and drop off your lenses and blister packaging, and let’s make a difference together.

Here is our very own Dave Tuthill talking about the announcement: https://youtu.be/5s53TBVAVT8