How to Recycle Old Spectacles

Old eyeglasses can be donated to charity.

If you have an old pair of eyeglasses with an outdated prescription, there's no reason to hang on to them or throw them away. Since prescription glasses are often expensive, those who can't afford their own spectacles can benefit from your donation. With only a little effort on your part, you can give the gift of clear vision to someone in a developing country.

Instructions

1. Search for the nearest eyeglass recycling location in your area. You can do this by going to the Earth 911 website and entering your city or zip code in the search box on the top of the page, or searching for your nearest vision center in the phone book or Google maps.

2. Take your old glasses to your local eyeglass donation center, and drop them in a collection box.

3. Mail your glasses to a charity such as New Eyes for the Needy or Lions Club, if that is more convenient than bringing them in. Pack them in a padded mailer or box before shipping them.

Resources

• Earth 911
• New Eyes for the Needy
• Lion's Club