How to deal with old eyeglasses, Cymplified!

Do you, like me, use glasses to see the world better? Have you ever wondered how to deal with old eyeglasses? Come to think of it, my family and I have old, unused glasses in their boxes gathering dust somewhere. Reasons vary. The grades of the lenses are not up to date, we have changed frames along with the lenses and didn’t think to reuse the frames. Here is a guest post* on repairing or recycling old eyeglasses, thus, being good to the environment.

Can eyeglasses be recycled?

In this world, humans are a great creation with great value. Things have a guaranteed time for them, but not humans. Humans will also pass on, but we cannot say when. Like this, the things we use to make our lives easier also come to an end. But if we show good habits and dispose of them properly, it creates peace, and we can feel lighter.

Today, almost everyone is using glasses. Some are fond of fashionable blue light glasses or sunglasses, while others need prescription glasses. Glasses have become a necessary item in our lives. It would not be wrong to say that glasses work as caretakers and prove to be lifesavers.

Almost one hundred million Americans use eyeglasses for different reasons. Many people follow trends that change with time or season. On the other hand, some people use them to enhance their personality. It’s a natural and common habit for humans to get tired of their old glasses after a long time. The question arises: can eyeglasses be recycled, and how?

In this blog post, you will find the answers to your questions that trouble you. Let’s read the complete post and don’t forget to leave a comment.

How Can Eyeglasses Be Recycled?

When you feel tired of your eyeglasses, don’t decide to get rid of them right away. If you choose a wise and responsible way to dispose of your eyewear, it would be safe for you and your society, preventing pollution. The recyclability of glasses depends on the materials they are made of.

Glasses consist of two main parts: the frame and the lenses. Lenses made with plastic are easy to recycle. High-quality plastic lenses protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays. However, frames are made with various materials. Frames are be manufactured with either lightweight plastic, metal (such as titanium, steel, gold, and aluminum), or glass.

If your glasses are made with glass material, you can only give them to a glass recycling bin. They will be repurposed after recycling. All frames and lenses are easy to recycle, but materials like titanium, acetate, and nose pads cannot be recycled. Other materials can be recycled as much as you want.

1. Repair eyeglasses and use them for a longer time.

Eyeglasses are crucial for people who need them. Nothing can replace them, not other people’s glasses or going without glasses. If you accidentally break your glasses and urgently need them, you can repair them at home without spending money. You can continue using them until you purchase a new pair.

👉 Use glue to repair old glasses.
If your glasses break, you can repair them with the help of glue. Buy a high-quality glue from a nearby shop and align the broken parts. Then, take a small quantity of glue and apply it to the joint. Clean any excess glue with cotton. Leave the glasses for one to two hours to dry.

👉 Repair with paper and glue.
When you need a stronger solution, you can use paper and glue. It will provide a solid grip. Use them anywhere and anytime. The paper will add strength to align the edges.

👉 Repairing with boiling water.
Take half a glass of water in a steel bowl. Place it on the burner and remove it after boiling. Dip both broken edges of the eyeglasses into the hot water until they become soft. Then, remove the glasses and gently align the softened edges.

👉 Stitching with a mini drill machine.
Get a mini drill machine and place your glasses on the corner of a table. Carefully create holes in the broken parts of the glasses. Stitch them together using thread to repair the glasses.

👉 Remove scratches on eyeglasses!
Most old lenses have scratches, but there is a solution.

Clean the lenses with a soft piece of cloth. Take one spoonful of water and one spoonful of baking soda. Mix them well to create a consistent paste. Apply the mixture to the lenses and gently scrub. After a while, wash the lenses and wipe them dry with a cloth. You will see that not only scratches are removed, but your lenses will also be bright like a mirror.

2. Donate eyeglasses to those in need.

Today, the world is facing high rates for everything. Approximately 17% of people cannot afford eye specialist services. Eyeglasses make everyone’s life easier. Donate glasses that need replacement or recycling. It’s a great decision to give your glasses to people in need, as it helps them save time and improves their lives. There are various ways to donate:

👉 Prefer giving glasses to your relatives and friends who cannot afford them. Gift them the glasses.
👉 Donate glasses to your local shop. Discuss with the shopkeeper if someone cannot afford to buy glasses. Provide them free of cost.
👉 The world’s largest office for donations is the Lions Club, which has locations all over the world. This office accepts glasses online. Search for them on Google, find their address, and mail them your glasses. Before sending the mail, confirm the type of glasses they require, whether for children, men, or women.

3. Sell glasses and purchase new ones!

If your original eyeglasses were made of premium materials or purchased from a high-quality vendor, you don’t need to worry much. High-end glasses have a market value. Among collectors, rarer ones can be worth several hundred dollars. Therefore, when you are tired of your old spectacles and feel the need to buy new eyeglasses, you can sell your old ones online or make a post about selling them. Interested individuals can then buy them.

Platforms like Daraz, eBay, and Amazon are ideal for selling glasses. Create an account and sell your glasses there. This way, you can earn money from your old glasses, allow someone else to use them in the future, and increase the reusability of spectacles.

Conclusion

You must not have any more doubts about whether eyeglasses can be recycled and how after reading this blog post. We have provided all the solutions for recycling your eyeglasses. Now, it’s up to you to decide how to keep your environment clean.

Which method would you try to recycle or dispose of your old eyeglasses, if any, and why?