As part of the Lions Clubs International Worldwide Eyeglass Recycling Program, you can drop off or mail your unwanted glasses, spectacles, hearing aids and unused contact lenses to Lions Club to be distributed to those in need in Australia and abroad.
Some charities such as Lions Clubs International also collect unwanted spectacles for grading and redistribution to eye clinics overseas.
Lions Recycle for Sight Australia is part of the Lions Clubs International Worldwide Eyeglass Recycling Program, headquartered in Queensland and operating throughout Australia and overseas.
Donate your glasses to a charity shop
Give your local charity shop a quick call before you donate if you're not sure whether they accept eyeglasses. You can send your old specs to some charities instead of donating them to your local shop if it doesn't accept them. You can post your old glasses directly to Lions Club.
Lions Club
They also supply volunteers from the 'Unite for Sight' charity with glasses to take with them on missions to countries across the world. Further information can be found on the Lions Club website or contact them on 0121 441 4544.
Glasses Recycling Instore With Recycline
Its website has a handy tool to find opticians near you that take old glasses for recycling. I've found that lots of private opticians near me take old glasses. If you cannot find an optician near you, then individuals can also send their old glasses directly to Recycline.
You can deposit your eyeglasses at any participating Walmart Vision Center. The collection boxes are usually near the Vision Center entrance. Each month their staff freights collected glasses to the nearest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center. Use the Walmart store locator to find Centers near you.
Luckily, you can help, by donating your old glasses to Vision Aid Overseas. Find your nearest drop off point here – they include many major opticians branches such as Vision Express and Specsavers. Charity shops run by Mind, Marie Curie, Oxfam, British Heart Foundation and Age UK shops all accept mobile phones.
As a result, Specsavers has partnered with MYgroup so that customers can recycle their glasses (including cases) near them, free of charge by bringing them into their local store.
Lions Clubs throughout the UK collect unwanted and damaged spectacles. These are then sent to Chichester Lions Club which processes tens of thousands of recycled spectacles each year. All donations are examined by a team of Lions and other volunteers in the recycling workshop.
The Lions Organisation's Recycle For Sight program sends some 450,000 pairs of glasses to developing countries every year. You can also take your pre-loved glasses into your local Specsavers store and place them in the glasses recycling box or hand them to a team member.
Sell Your Old Glasses
If you want to make money from giving away your pair of frames, you can also try to sell them online. Check out online marketplaces like eBay or Preloved, where people buy and sell secondhand items. Webuyframes.com is another website where you can sell your old glasses.
Fortunately, you can typically continue to use your existing frames when you get new lenses, provided that the frames are in good condition and aren't too complicated in shape. If they're damaged or worn out, then you'll need to get a new pair of frames along with the new lenses.
We the Lions of District 133 Ireland collect and recycle tens of thousands of spectacles each year for distribution to the Third World. The lenses are most important and if the frames are intact that is an added bonus. Spectacle cases in good condition are very welcome.
Visio Optical runs a spectacle collection programme to ensure that spectacles are made available to the needy. If you have any old or new spectacles that you don't use, please bring them along when you visit our store, and will take care of the rest.
Our recommendation would be to visit your local store with the frames and have a chat with the team; they will be able to assess your glasses for suitability and will be able to give you a quote based on your requirements.
Most good opticians will be able to replace the old lenses with new ones matching your prescription. Depending on your correction, you'll likely save yourself money, too, by keeping your existing frames. If your old lenses are made from glass, you can recycle them at your local recycling centre.
About City of Edinburgh Lions club
Lions accept prescription and reading glasses, sunglasses and plastic and metal frames.
Charity shops will inspect any clothing donations they receive and remove any noticeably damaged or dirty items. However, many unwashed garments can still make it through this process and onto the shop floor.
Oxfam America is rated highly by leading independent charity evaluators, including Charity Navigator, the nation's largest charity evaluator. Oxfam America meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. Oxfam is also a "Top Charity" and recipient of an "A" rating from Charity Watch.
Some Recycling Centres accept these items but this service does vary across the country. It's best to check with your local authority. VHS tapes and cassettes are now rarely accepted at Recycling Centres and charity shops and are generally sent to landfill.
If you have a pair of frames that are broken beyond repair, don't just toss them in the trash! Most common materials found in frames qualify as recyclables. If you're getting new lenses along with your frames, the lenses are also recyclable.
Glass containers for food and beverages are 100% recyclable, but not with other types of glass. Other kinds of glass, like windows, ovenware, Pyrex, crystal, etc. are manufactured through a different process.