A new contact lens recycling service is being launched in Ayrshire to mark World Environment Day (5 June 2019).
Urquhart Opticians have teamed up with contact lens manufacturer Johnson & Johnson to install a used lens drop off point in all of their practices in Kilmarnock, Prestwick, Troon and Ayr. They are encouraging all contact lens wearers – be they patients at the practice or not – to make full use of the free service.
The scheme will see recycling specialists Terra Cycle collect and pelletize the used lenses for remoulding into new plastic products, and is designed to provide contact lens wearers with a cost-free, sustainable and convenient alternative to the existing postal return service offered by lens manufacturers.
Peter Telfer, Business Partner at Urquhart Opticians, explained: “Across Europe, hundreds of millions of disposable contact lenses are sold every year and many of these small plastic discs end up in landfill waste or flushed down the sink into our water systems. Currently local kerbside recycling does not cover either lenses or their blister packs, so we are installing a drop-off point in our Kilmarnock town centre practice to enable all contact lens wearers to sustainably and conveniently dispose of their used lenses.
“The service is completely free and is open to anyone, whether they are a patient at Urquhart Opticians or not, and regardless of where the lenses were purchased. Simply collect your used lenses and drop them in at our Kilmarnock practice next time you’re passing. Likewise, our practices in Ayr, Troon and Prestwick will be delighted to collect used lenses and forward them on to the drop off point in Kilmarnock.”
Award-winning and independent, Urquhart Opticians has been serving the people of Ayrshire for over 100 years and is based in Portland Road, Kilmarnock with further practices in Ayr, Troon and Prestwick. To contact your nearest practice and learn more about the services on offer please visit www.urquhart-opticians.co.uk.