Opticians in three East Lancashire towns are celebrating the success of their glasses and contact lens recycling initiative after collecting more than 6,000 frames since the launch last year.

Specsavers stores in Burnley, Nelson and Colne teamed up with recycling experts MYgroup to install collection boxes in each store for customers to recycle their unwanted glasses and contact lens packaging. 

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Mark Addison, Specsavers Burnley store director, says: “We’d like to thank all our customers who have helped us exceed our expectations for the initiative.

"We plan to continue recycling as much as we can to help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

“Customers can drop off metal and plastic glasses and sunglasses, as well as contact lenses and accessories, including blister packs, glasses cases, contact lens cases and solution bottles.”

Once the collection bins are full, the items are sent to MYgroup’s recycling plant in Kingston-upon-Hull.

The glasses and contact lenses are given a second lease of life and repurposed into a wide range of items such as furniture, home and garden accessories.

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Over the past four decades, Specsavers has invested in optical and audiology technology and trends and offers a wide range of services, including eye tests, prescription eyewear and contact lenses, as well as hearing checks, hearing aids and wax removal.

Specsavers, which also offers a Home Visits service for those unable to visit one of its stores, provides a range of eye care services that not only maintain people's eye health and vision, but also help detect broader health issues.