How to dispose of Eyeglasses & Sunglasses

This article was contributed by Sustainable Choice Group.

Old prescription glasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses — even broken ones — should not go in your household recycling bin. The mixed materials (plastic frames, metal, glass lenses) make kerbside recycling unsuitable. Fortunately, several well-established Australian donation programs give them a second life for people in need.

Prescription & Reading Glasses (Good Condition)

Donate

Check the Label: No label needed — if your glasses are intact and functional, they are ideal for donation. Prepare It: Remove glasses from any hard cases (cases can be donated separately to op shops). Clean lenses if possible. Dispose Right: Drop off at your local Specsavers store and place in their in-store glasses recycling box, or hand to a team member. You can also drop off at OPSM, Laubman & Pank, or Budget Eyewear stores, which partner with OneSight to distribute glasses to communities in developing countries. Alternatively, donate through your local Salvos or Red Cross op shop.