Used Eyeglasses Get a Second Look

Stop! Don't throw away those old prescription eyeglasses during your New Year's Clean Up. They can be recycled and get a “second look”.

Last spring, Duplin County Solid Waste & Recycling added old prescription eyeglasses collection to its 15 collection centers. To date, they have collected 131 pair of eyeglasses.

Accepted are old prescription eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses. All yo have to do is hand them to the site attendant to place in the collection box. Once collected from there, they will be shipped to Lion Clubs International.

The used eyeglasses are cleaned, repaired and classified by prescription. The eyeglasses are then distributed to those in need by Lion volunteers and other organizations hosting optical missions in developing countries.

“Many eye doctors throughout the county already had the Lions Club International recycling program in place. For some reason, people tend to hold on to their old eyeglasses, even though the glasses or the prescription may not fit anymore. Getting them out of dresser drawers and on the faces of the needy is the goal of the program.”

“Public participation has been great, and we encourage everyone to recycle their old eyewear at either their optometrist's office, with a Lions Club Member, or at one of Duplin's collection sites” suggested Teresa Quinn, Recycling Coordinator of Duplin County.