This will have happened to each of us contact lens wearers at least once in our life: You're in the bathroom removing your contact lenses, and you don't have a bin nearby. The temptation to flush your discarded lenses is strong, and throwing contact lenses in the sink or toilet would seem the easiest and fastest solution, but it is one of the most damaging behaviours towards our environment. We share how best to dispose of your lenses correctly.
How many people wear contact lenses?
Do you know how many people use contact lenses? According to recent research, there are about 4.2 million Britons, 45 million Americans, and 140 million people worldwide who wear them. What if all of these people threw their lenses down the sink or toilet? It would have an incredibly damaging impact on our environment.
We all agree: contact lenses are an extraordinary invention, and a revolutionary tool for those with vision problems. For those of us who use them, wearing or removing contact lenses is a key routine of everyday life. Likewise, the appropriate disposal of contact lenses should also be a part of our routine.
What are contact lenses made of?
First, let's start by clarifying the composition of contact lenses. Currently, contact lenses are classified according to the different materials used for their construction. There are 3 main types: rigid lenses, RGP lenses (or rigid gas permeable) and soft contact lenses. Soft lenses are the most commonly used and are made of hydrogel (or silicone hydrogel, which has become increasingly popular in recent years), a soft, flexible and above all, highly breathable and permeable plastic substance. The hydrogel absorbs water very easily, so it is extremely difficult for the lenses of this material to be separated from the liquids of the drains when they are filtered.
What happens when you throw your contact lenses in the sink or toilet?
Once lenses enter the drain, they end up in the sewers and arrive at the water treatment plants. Here they pass through filters that separate the larger residues and discard non-biological elements from the flow. Most contact lenses are too small and flexible to be isolated in this process, and therefore continue their journey in the water ready to be treated. The treatment involves the presence of bacteria that destroy biological waste, but it is unable to completely dissolve the contact lenses, merely reducing them into fragments. As a result, these particles end up in the sea and can be ingested by fish and other marine animals. Thicker lenses, such as monthly contact lenses, are even able to reach the sea intact and deposit on the seabed along with other waste, altering the already precarious balance of our marine ecosystem.
Microplastics danger
There is a lot of talk about plastic bottles, straws, or cotton buds. But for some years now it has been realised that contact lenses also contribute to the microplastic pollution that is spreading in our waterways. They may seem infinitesimal in size compared to the vastness of our seas and oceans, but the number of contact lenses that wearers throw away every day is truly enormous, and therefore must be considered as a waste in all respects. Research from Arizona State University estimates that between 15-20% of contact lens wearers have a bad habit of throwing them down the sink or toilet.
What about biodegradable contact lenses?
Contact lenses have come a long way since their invention in the 1800s. Contactology is constantly evolving and is always looking for new materials for the production of more eco-sustainable lenses. Furthermore, surveys show that most contact lens wearers would be happy to recycle them, but many don't know how. Despite the efforts of recent years, biodegradable contact lenses don’t exist yet, so each of us must do our part! So where do you throw your contact lenses? We at Vision Direct take the health of the environment very seriously, and in our own small way, we always try to provide you with all the information you need to recycle contact lenses correctly. We will never stop repeating it: recycling is important, and disposing of contact lenses in the right way can make a difference!
Practical tips to avoid throwing your contact lenses down the sink or toilet
Whether you use monthly lenses, two weekly lenses or daily lenses, it doesn't matter. Throwing contact lenses down the sink or toilet is wrong. Here are some tips from our team that might come in handy:
- When at home, if possible, always keep a bin in the bathroom or nearby.
- When you’re away from home, for example with friends or in a public place where there is no bin, try to keep the used lenses in a handkerchief and then throw them in the unsorted bin as soon as possible.
- If you are often away from home, take an old lens case with you to store your used contact lenses and then dispose of them as soon as possible. It is so small that it can easily be carried in your purse, backpack or pocket!
- If you continue to find the correct disposal of contact lenses hard, perhaps it's time to try fortnightly or monthly lenses. They will need to be disposed of in the same way, but less frequently than with disposable contact lenses.
- Share this simple information with as many friends and relatives as possible. They may not be aware of how harmful it is to throw contact lenses down the sink and toilet. Or they might even give you other helpful tips on how to recycle your lenses!
Where to throw away your contact lenses?
Let's not just focus on the lens itself, but also consider everything that is part of the package. Recycling contact lenses is important, and as you will see, it only takes a few simple steps to respect the environment.
- Contact lenses: recycling contact lenses is very simple, because they are thrown into the unsorted.
- Contact lens blister: The lens blister consists of a plastic part and an aluminium tab. Then, separate these two components and throw them into the plastic and aluminium respectively.
- Maintenance liquid: the liquid contained inside the blister can be safely poured into the sink.
- Paper packaging: the packaging of your lenses, together with the Vision Direct packaging containing your order, is thrown into the paper and cardboard bin.
- Lens holder and empty bottle of contact lens solution: Both are made of plastic, so they must be thrown into the appropriate container.
Remember, these are just general guidelines. Each city or municipality may have different rules for the separation of waste, so it is always best to check the area where you live.
Vision Direct’s recycling service
Want to make things easier for yourself? Did you know that we offer a free recycling service to our UK customers? If you’re based in the UK, just pop your lenses, blister packs, and used cases back into the packaging we sent your order in, print off a royal mail label, and send your used eye care products back to us for recycling!
Let’s summarise
Do you still have doubts about where to throw your contact lenses? Here is a summary to help you make the right choices and safeguard our planet!
- Contact lenses are not biodegradable. For this reason, lenses should be disposed of carefully.
- Contact lenses break down into particles that are not filtered and therefore end up in our seas, increasing water pollution.
- Contact lenses should never be thrown into the household waste, but thrown into the unsorted.
- Choosing to replace contact lenses with glasses does not mean making a greener choice. All it takes is a little more attention.
I am an environmental enthusiast with a deep understanding of the impact of human behavior on our planet, particularly in the context of waste disposal and its consequences. Over the years, I've closely followed research on environmental issues, including the effects of microplastic pollution in waterways.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article and provide additional insights:
Contact Lens Usage Statistics
The article mentions that there are approximately 4.2 million Britons, 45 million Americans, and 140 million people worldwide who wear contact lenses. This highlights the widespread use of contact lenses, emphasizing the need for responsible disposal practices.
Types of Contact Lenses
The composition of contact lenses is classified into three main types: rigid lenses, RGP lenses (rigid gas permeable), and soft contact lenses. Soft lenses, made of hydrogel or silicone hydrogel, are the most commonly used. Understanding the materials is crucial in comprehending the environmental impact of improper disposal.
Environmental Impact of Incorrect Disposal
When contact lenses are thrown into sinks or toilets, they end up in sewers and eventually reach water treatment plants. The treatment process, while effective for larger residues, fails to completely dissolve contact lenses, leading to microplastic pollution in oceans and seas. The article highlights the danger of microplastics in the context of contact lenses, shedding light on a lesser-known environmental concern.
Lack of Biodegradable Contact Lenses
Despite advancements in contact lens technology, the article points out that biodegradable contact lenses do not currently exist. This emphasizes the need for responsible disposal practices until more sustainable options become available.
Practical Tips for Proper Disposal
The article provides practical tips to avoid throwing contact lenses down the sink or toilet, such as keeping a bin in the bathroom, using an old lens case when away from home, and raising awareness among friends and family.
Recycling Guidelines
It offers clear guidelines on recycling different components of contact lenses, including the lenses themselves, lens blister, maintenance liquid, paper packaging, lens holder, and empty bottle of contact lens solution. The emphasis on proper recycling practices reflects a comprehensive approach to environmental responsibility.
Vision Direct's Recycling Service
The article mentions a recycling service offered by Vision Direct to its UK customers, making it easier for them to recycle used eye care products. This demonstrates a proactive approach by a company in addressing environmental concerns associated with its products.
Summary and Key Takeaways
The article summarizes the key points, reinforcing the non-biodegradability of contact lenses, the environmental repercussions of improper disposal, and the importance of careful handling. It also dispels the notion that choosing glasses over contact lenses necessarily constitutes a greener choice, emphasizing the need for awareness and attention in everyday choices.
In conclusion, responsible disposal of contact lenses is imperative to mitigate their environmental impact, and the article provides valuable insights and practical tips for individuals to contribute to a more sustainable future.
