The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo in Canada is launching a first-of-its-kind educational website on the environmental impact of eyewear.
Its debut coincides with Earth Day on April 22.
Start with CORE.
Since its establishment at the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science, CORE—originally operating as the Centre for Contact Lens Research (CCLR)—is a global research facility specializing in the integration of clinical, laboratory, and socio-behavioral ocular research.
The institution was originally founded to “meet a need for objective and independent clinical trials and fundamental basic research to support the development and testing of contact lens materials, designs and care systems.”
- In its 30+ years of operations, CORE has notably “been involved in some of the most meaningful advancements in the history of contact lenses,” including:
- Silicon hydrogel lens and extended wear evolution
- Development of disposable lens modality
- Comprehending lens dropout and lens wear dissatisfaction
- Conducting preliminary testing of various contact lens and dry eye products prior to regulatory approval and commercial market launch
Now let’s talk about this website.
With the domain of SustainableEyecare.com, this digital offering is designed as an educational guide for both eyecare professionals (ECPs) and patients.
The focus: Is two-fold, covering the environmental impact of contact lenses and eyewear in addition to practical solutions for recycling and responsible disposal of such eyewear.
Why: CORE Director Lyndon Jones, OD, FAAO, noted that many consumers “don’t have complete information needed to make good choices” in being more environmentally conscious about the waste generated from their lens wear.
- Case in point: “Despite having the best of intentions when putting their contact lens packaging in the recycling bin, people are largely unaware that blister packs or contact lens foils may not be accepted by municipal recyclers,” Dr. Jones stated.
Along these lines (and in recent news): This week, Bausch + Lomb reported it has collected over 100 million units of contact lenses and other lens care and eyecare materials through its ONE By ONE and Biotrue Eye Care recycling programs.
So how is this lack of information being addressed?
The website offers a variety of resources for ECPs and patients, from a how-to guide on properly disposing contact lens and eyecare products to how they can affect the environment and other useful tools.
See here for patient-targeted material and here for ECP-targeted information.
Give me a sneak peek of what to expect.
Included on the site:
- Info on environmental challenges connected to contact and spectacle lens and frame disposal
- Instructions on properly disposing lenses to minimize environmental effects
- Global recycling program directory
- Green initiative listings of select eyecare manufacturers and industry bodies
- Includes Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, EssilorLuxottica, and HOYA Vision
- Customizable resources and downloadable infographics for patient education
- Clinical practice operation tips for sustainability
- Peer-reviewed and professional publications on eyecare sustainability
About that recycling program directory … how many programs are in the U.S.?
Per the directory, three of those listed are in the United States—all involving one private recycling business: TerraCycle.
- Bausch + Lomb with TerraCycle (ONE by ONE recycling program)
- Bausch + Lomb with TerraCycle (Biotrue Eye Care Recycling)
- TerraCycle (Zero Waste Box)
Notably: TerraCycle has partnered with B+L to offer a free recycling service for all brands of contact lenses and blister packs, requiring patients to simply collect their used materials (lenses, blister trays, and foils) in a bag and drop them off at a nearby collection point.
Speaking of B+ L, didn’t they just announce a recycling update of their own?
Indeed they did. This week, Bausch + Lomb reported it has collected over 100 million units of contact lenses and other lens care and eyecare materials through its ONE By ONE and Biotrue Eye Care recycling programs.
- The programs were launched in 2016 and 2021, respectively.
Nice! Circling back to this website, what can we expect moving forward?
CORE intends to update the site with “additional resources from across the eye care spectrum”—and is urging organizations to submit their own initiatives for potential inclusion over the coming weeks and months.