Do you have old eyeglasses or sunglasses kicking around at home that are still in good condition? Don’t throw them way – keep them out of landfill and help someone else in the process.

Over 150 million people have eyesight problems that could be addressed with a suitable set of glasses. While prescription eyeglasses have dropped in price substantially since I was a young ‘un; they are still out of reach of many.

Sunglasses are as cheap as chips these days, but again they may still be unaffordable to people in developing countries; people who could benefit from the eye protection sunglasses can provide. 

According to the World Health Organization, about 87% of the world’s visually impaired live in developing countries. Correction of refractive errors could give normal vision to more than 12 million children (ages five to 15).

Lions Club International have been running Eyeglass Recycling Centers for some years. The organization will take prescription and reading glasses, sunglasses and plastic and metal frames.  The glasses are sorted and the strength of the glasses is determined with a lensometer. After cleaning and packaging, the eyeglasses are then distributed to people in need around the world.

Lions Club have eyeglass recycling centers in the USA, Canada, Australia, France and Italy. You can learn more about how and where to send your glasses here.

If you’re in the UK, check out the Vision Aid Overseas web site.

There’s always a bit of a warm and fuzzy feeling associated with recycling; but when it can benefit someone who is really struggling, it makes this little effort all the sweeter. Clear sight can make such a difference in people’s lives.