The eyewear industry is often overlooked in discussions about sustainability, yet it is a major contributor to global plastic waste and carbon emissions. From the production of frames and lenses to the disposal of contact lenses, the industry’s environmental impact is substantial. 

 

For instance, according to DW News, daily contact lens wearers generate up to 1 kilogramme of waste each year. This figure includes the contact lenses themselves, blister packs, and accompanying saline solution bottles. With roughly 140 million people wearing contacts globally, this adds up to a staggering amount of plastic waste each year. Eyeglasses come with their own set of environmental concerns, especially during the manufacturing process. 

 

Although there’s limited transparency on the full extent of waste, Net Zero Optics consultant Andrew Clark notes that lenses are typically ground down from hockey puck-sized pieces of plastic—around 10% of which is discarded. Additionally, most frames are still made of fossil fuel-based virgin plastic, further amplifying the industry’s carbon footprint. “Every step in that manufacturing journey is either refining a plastic product or moving a plastic product. And it very quickly adds up to a substantial carbon footprint,” Clark told DW News.

 

Fortunately, as consumers grow more environmentally conscious, there’s been a noticeable shift in the market. The 2024 UK Optical Goods Retailing Market Report found that 43% of consumers would consider purchasing sustainable glasses or contact lenses. Interest is particularly high among younger demographics, who are more attuned to the impacts of fast fashion and overconsumption. This growing awareness is prompting brands across the eyewear industry to re-evaluate their practises.

 

Here’s a closer look at how the eyewear industry is adapting to this demand for sustainability—and how individuals can also make more eco-conscious choices in their daily eye care routines.

 

How the eyewear industry is embracing sustainability

Contact lens manufacturers are leading the charge

One of the major players in the contact lens market, CooperVision, has implemented several sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental footprint. As reported by the UK Association of Optometrists (AOP), the company has recently improved energy efficiency across six of its contact lens manufacturing lines by cutting compressed air consumption by 20%. This efficiency boost saved over 820,000 kilowatt hours of energy—equivalent to more than 8,300 million British thermal units—and avoided the use of over 104,000 gallons of liquified natural gas. On top of that, CooperVision has transitioned to sourcing 100% renewable electricity at a number of its UK sites, including Delta Park, Mountpark, Hamble, and Chandlers Ford, as well as in its US operations in New York.

 

Retailer Lenstore is encouraging recycling at the consumer level

Sustainability doesn’t stop at production—it extends to how consumers dispose of used products. Lenstore, a trusted UK-based online retailer, features a broad selection of contact lenses including daily, monthly, multifocal, toric, and coloured options from brands like Acuvue and CooperVision. To ensure that these products are properly discarded, Lenstore supports the Acuvue Contact Lens Recycle Programme. This programme allows customers to drop off used lenses and their packaging at participating optician practices throughout the UK. Lenstore’s Wimbledon headquarters also serves as an Acuevue drop-off location, making it easier for users to ensure their lenses are properly repurposed rather than ending up in landfills or waterways.

 

Eyeglass manufacturers are innovating with eco-friendly materials

One of the key players making strides in sustainability in eyeglasses is Eastman, a global speciality materials company. Eastman currently offers three types of renewable materials tailored for eyewear makers. These materials include Acetate Renew, a sustainable acetate with 40% recycled content that meets the standards for luxury frames. Eastman also produces Tenite Renew, a premium, injection-moldable material with 20% recycled and 36% biobased content, and Tritan Renew, a copolyester made with 50% recycled content. 

 

Eyewear giant Safilo began integrating these materials into its product lines in 2021. Its spring/summer 2021 sustainable collection for the Polaroid brand prominently featured these bio-based alternatives, setting a benchmark for eco-conscious innovation in fashion eyewear.

 

Tips for more sustainable eye care habits

While the eyewear industry is clearly taking steps to become more sustainable, consumers can also play an active role. Here are four practical ways to reduce your personal environmental impact:

 

1. Opt for monthly contacts instead of dailies

Daily disposable contact lenses, while convenient, contribute significantly to plastic waste. Switching to monthly lenses can dramatically cut down on this waste. For example, monthly lenses require less packaging overall and can reduce the annual waste generated by contact lens users. As we mentioned, Lenstore boasts a wide selection of monthly lenses suitable for various vision needs. To further reduce your impact, consider buying in bulk to minimise packaging and shipping emissions. Importantly, always dispose of your used lenses in the bin—never down the drain, as they can break down into microplastics that pollute the water system.

 

2. Repair instead of replace glasses

In the UK, Right to Repair laws introduced in 2021 also extend to eyewear. These laws encourage consumers to fix rather than discard damaged items. Manufacturers are now obligated to provide spare parts for a range of products, including glasses. This supports circular living by reducing the need for new raw materials. Many high street opticians and online retailers offer affordable repair services. Case in point, London Drugs has on-site repair services such as nose pad replacement, frame adjustments, and screw replacements for various frame types. Companies like Lenses In Glasses also offers reglazing services, allowing you to update the prescription in your current frames instead of buying new ones.

 

3. Choose digital prescriptions

The paperwork involved in eye care—printed prescriptions, receipts, and instruction leaflets—contributes to paper waste. Switching to digital prescriptions is a simple yet impactful step. Many opticians now provide digital options via email or apps, allowing you to store and access your prescription records without the need for printouts. When booking your next eye exam, be sure to ask for a digital version of your prescription. It’s not only more sustainable but also more convenient to keep track of.

 

4. Recycle eyewear packaging

Recycling is one of the easiest and most effective ways to cut down on waste. In the US, an estimated 20 million tons of recyclable materials are sent to landfills each year—waste that, if properly recycled, could eliminate 96 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to removing over 20 million cars from the roads.

 

UK consumers can do their part by recycling the packaging that comes with their eyewear. This includes cardboard boxes (widely recyclable through kerbside collection), paper inserts, and some types of plastic containers. Always check local council guidelines to ensure you’re recycling correctly. Blister packs from contact lenses, for example, may need to be dropped off at specific recycling points, such as those provided by the Acuvue programme.

 

A clearer, greener future for eyewear

The eyewear industry is undergoing a massive transformation, driven by growing consumer awareness and a global push for sustainability. From manufacturers adopting renewable materials to retailers facilitating recycling programmes, the shift towards greener practises is already well underway.

 

Yet, the future of sustainable eyewear doesn’t lie solely in corporate hands. Individual actions—whether it’s choosing reusable contacts, repairing glasses, going paperless, or recycling packaging—can collectively make a meaningful difference. As technology and consumer habits continue to evolve, so too will the options for eco-friendly eye care. Ultimately, achieving a more sustainable future for eyewear is a shared vision and one we can all help bring into focus.