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Eyeglasses
Before tossing out your drawer of old eyeglasses, consider their potential value to others. Instead of ending up in landfills, they can be repaired and given to needy individuals throughout the world. According to the nonprofit group, Unite for Sight, over 4 million pairs of eyeglasses are thrown away each year in North America. At the same time, more than 1 billion people in developing countries need eyeglasses but cannot afford them. In many African countries, the price for new glasses can exceed three months' average salary. Half of all children in institutions for the blind in Africa would be able to read normal or large print if they had eyeglasses.
We are not to throw away those things which can benefit our neighbor. Goods are called good because they can be used for good: they are instruments for good, in the hands of those who use them properly.
-Clement of Alexandria (150?-220?)
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Recycling and reuse options
Lions Club International Foundation (See: “Vision Programs”) operates what may be the largest used eyeglass collection program in the U.S. In 2004, the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers reported a collection of nearly 5.5 million pairs of eyeglasses, distributed to nearly 3 million people worldwide. All types of eyeglasses and sunglasses, prescription and non-prescription, are acceptable. Reading glasses are also very useful because many recipients are in need of visual correction to help them perform close-up tasks. Sunglasses are needed by people living near the equator in order to shield their eyes from the sun's damaging rays.
Most local Lions Clubs have collection boxes at various community offices and businesses. In the Chicago area, many organizations collect glasses for the Lions. The Lions have also established partnerships with Goodwill Industries andLensCrafters (which works through its charitable foundation, Give the Gift of Sight). Both have eyeglass drop-off boxes in all of their stores.
Unite for Sight is a non-profit organization established by optometry students with chapters in several Chicago-area colleges and universities including Rush Medical College and University of Chicago. These groups host annual eyeglass donation drives on campus and in other community locations.
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