How to Dispose of Spectacles

Unless your spectacles are horribly mangled, resist the urge to toss them in the trash. Many charitable organizations accept old eyeglasses that are still in good condition. Your donated spectacles can help grant the gift of sight to a person who might otherwise not have access to eyeglasses. Another way to recycle your spectacles is to reuse them yourself. When your prescription changes, keep the frames and simply swap out the lenses.

Things You'll Need

• Eyeglass cleanser
• Cloth

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Instructions

• 1

  Send your unneeded, unused spectacles to organizations that only accept new items, such as Unite for Sight.

• 2

  Clean your spectacles before donating them. Spritz some eyeglass cleanser on each lens and rub gently with a soft cloth. Run the cloth along the frames to collect any dust.

• 3

  Ask your optometrist's office if they accept old spectacles for charitable organizations. If so, bring in your old pair of glasses when you're shopping for your new pair. If not, check with other local eye doctors.

• 4

  Talk to charitable organizations, such as the Lions Club or OneSight, to find local collection locations where you can drop off your used glasses. These are often inside libraries, coffee shops and other community gathering places.