Environmental impact of contact lenses
To help keep your eyes healthy, contacts made of plastic polymers should only be worn on a short-term basis. But continuous use and disposal contributes to plastic waste that is already a problem. Roughly 45 million people wear contact lenses in the U.S., which is a lot of plastic material to account for.
Some ways contact lenses affect the environment include:
- Plastics found in contact lenses are non-biodegradable. They have a very low rate of decomposition.
- Contacts have to be replaced often, creating more waste.
- Contact lens cases also have to be replaced or thrown away daily depending on wear cycle.
- Contact lenses are often incorrectly disposed of. When they are washed down the drain, they enter wastewater and further pollute it.
- Plastics from contacts that contaminate wastewater can affect aquatic life. This may then impact humans through the consumption of seafood.
- Both production and disposal of contact lenses produce carbon emissions.
- Contacts are transparent in appearance. This makes it challenging to track them within waste itself.
It’s estimated that 2.5 billion contact lenses enter wastewater in the U.S. every year. This accounts for about 44,000 pounds of plastic material. When contacts are exposed to wastewater, they break into fragments. In time, they turn into microplastics that harm the environment.
Due to this impact, eco-friendly contacts are a great option for consumers to consider. Read on to learn how the vision care industry is prioritizing sustainability initiatives.are important to consider. Read on to learn how the vision care industry is introducing environmentally responsible contact lenses and practices.
What are sustainable contacts?
Eco-friendly contact lenses are designed with less plastic to be more sustainable. Alternative lens and packaging materials alone can help limit environmental impact. But adjusting the manufacturing process is also important for reducing plastic waste.
CooperVision recently launched a “plastic neutrality” initiative to offset their plastic footprint. They work with Plastic Bank to remove and recycle ocean-bound plastic — enough to equal the weight of plastic used in their soft contacts. This includes the:
- Lenses
- Blister packs
- Outer packaging
There are benefits for the wearer, too. Plastic-neutral lenses are designed to provide comfort and reduce irritation for the user.
Are eco-friendly contact lens materials available?
Research is still underway for various biodegradable contact lenses. Scientists have found promise in materials to use in contact lens production. These materials are more environmentally friendly than traditional polymers.
Itaconic acid comes from the Aspergillus fungus. It’s currently used in products such as synthetic rubber and plastic coatings. The acid may also be used as a hardening agent in contact lenses.
Researchers are also developing biodegradable plastic through light-sensitive molecules. The material is similar to fructose. It turns to liquid after three hours of ultraviolet light exposure. Once a liquid, the molecules can be formed into plastic materials, such as contact lenses.
Further research needs to be done to ensure these materials are safe for optical use. This research would involve collaboration between ophthalmologists, biomedical scientists and substance researchers.
Sustainability in the contact lens industry
Eco-friendly contacts and manufacturing processes are part of the overall sustainability equation. The contact lens industry is moving toward more environmentally responsible practices by introducing numerous initiatives. These include:
- Thinner plastic contact lens packaging (less plastic means less waste)
- Contact lens packaging made of foil only
- Decreased water consumption in daily operations
- Use of recycled materials and renewable energy in daily operations
- Contact lens recycling programs
Each of these helps reduce waste from contacts. But it’s also important for contact lens wearers to use and dispose of contacts and care items responsibly. Make sure you are discard your contacts properly and recycle packaging materials when you can.
How to choose sustainable contact lenses
Sustainably made contact lenses have many benefits for the environment. But you still need to consider your personal vision needs when selecting any type of eyewear. Some lenses may be more or less suitable for astigmatism, dry eyes and other conditions.
Speak with your eye doctor about your preferences and vision needs when it comes to your contacts. Let them know you’re interested in environmentally friendly contact lenses and ask if they are right for you. No matter what type of lens you and your doctor decide on, you’ll need a contact lens prescription to order them.
Caring for eco-friendly contact lenses
The right care is crucial with any lens material for your safety and comfort.
Proper maintenance and cleaning tips may vary among different types of lenses. More research needs to be done to find the best practice for biodegradable materials. They may differ from traditional polymer-based lenses.
Be sure to care for soft contact lenses as directed by your eye doctor. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your lenses.
How to recycle contact lenses
You can still care for the environment even if sustainable contact lenses aren’t accessible to you. Here are some tips for discarding or recycling your contacts and their packaging:
- Recycle cardboard packaging and full-size contact solution bottles with your regular household recycling items. Remove small plastic pieces like bottle caps.
- Discard old and used contact lenses in the trash if you don’t have access to a special recycling program. Never flush your lenses down the sink or toilet.
Specialty recycling programs
Bausch + Lomb teamed up with TerraCycle to offer specialty recycling services for contact lens users. For free, you can:
- Recycle contact lenses and blister packs through the Bausch + Lomb ONE by ONE Recycling Program. They accept all brands.
- Recycle small plastic eye care items like bottle caps, lens cases, eye drop bottles and single-use vials through the Biotrue Eye Care Recycling Program.
TerraCycle drop-off points are located around the U.S. You can also ask your eye doctor if they offer any recycling programs within their office.
SEE RELATED: Don’t flush contact lenses. Recycle them
The future of sustainable vision care
Innovations in environmentally responsible eye care products are on the rise. These include advanced packaging options and the development of biodegradable contact lens materials. Contact lens industry leaders are also reducing their carbon footprint in daily operations. They’re doing this by consuming less water and finding more ways to use renewable energy.
As a consumer, you can also promote sustainability at an individual level:
- Educate yourself about eco-friendly products.
- Choose best practices for the environment whenever you can.
Let your eye doctor know you’re interested in sustainable contacts and other eyewear.
