How to dispose of contact lenses and other small plastics

There are emerging efforts to recycle contact lenses and other kinds of small plastics associated with their use.

One program, a partnership between Bausch and Lomb and TerraCycle, a U.S.-based recycling company, encourages people to bring used lenses and the small blister packs from any brand to doctor’s offices or other eye-care locations that are participating drop-off sites. Blister packs are generally made of Type 5 plastic, which doesn’t widely get recycled in the United States.

The program also accepts plastic storage cases, said Kathy Pazakis, TerraCycle’s chief commercial officer. Doctors recommend you switch out your case every three months. Despite being made of Type 2 plastic, which is widely recycled in the United States, these cases are too small to go into curbside recycling.

If there isn’t a drop-off location near you, Pazakis said, people can also try mail-back options.

Each quarter, the company processes on average one 18-wheeler truckload of contact lens waste, which is equivalent to about 40,000 pounds. These products are usually turned into plastic lumber or raw materials to make industrial drainage pipes or large storage bins, Pazakis said.

TerraCycle says there are no limits on the amount of contact lens waste that it collects and recycles, and their processes undergo third-party audits.

You can put the paper-based boxes used to package contact lenses and solution bottles in your recycling bin. If your contact lens solution is in a Type 2, or HDPE, plastic bottle, they can also join the rest of your household recyclables.

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