Recyling Eyeglasses

I wear eye glasses when I drive. Fortunately my eyesight does not change too much so I don't need a new prescription every year but every couple of years. This means that I do have glasses from years past hanging out in drawers cuz I just could not bring myself to throw them away. I am glad that I didn't cuz I found a wonderful place to recycle them!

Lions Recycle for Sight:

Volunteers of Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers (LERCs) clean, sort by prescription strength, package donated glasses, and distribute the glasses to people in need in developing countries.

Millions of people in developing nations are pushed deeper into poverty simply because they don't have glasses. They can't learn, because reading is difficult. They can't work to the best of their ability, because they can't see clearly. It costs Lions less than US$0.08 to provide a pair of recycled eyeglasses and change someone's life.

If you would like to see the process you can watch this slide show on their website: The Journey of a Pair of Eyeglasses

If you have a pair of glasses that you would like to donate here are a couple of ways to do so:

1. Drop them off at a Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center in your area

2. Mail them to:

Lions Clubs International Headquarters
Attention: Receiving Department
300 W. 22nd Street
Oak Brook, IL 60523

Lions accepts the following types of eyeglasses:

• Prescription
• Reading glasses
• Sunglasses
• Plastic Frames
• Metal frames
• Children's glasses are especially needed

To learn more on about the program click here.