By Marcus Uhe
Optometrists across the country are asking the people of Cranbourne to donate their pre-loved glasses to help communities in need.
New research has found that on average, 75 per cent of Australian households have at least one pair of optical glasses or sunglasses lying around at home that they no longer use, which equates to a whopping 36 million pairs of unused optical glasses or sunglasses across the country that could be used by those in need.
Specsavers Cranbourne Park have set a goal of collecting 200,000 pairs of glasses, which, if placed end to end, could stretch from Cranbourne to Mornington.
Local Cranbourne Park Specsavers retail partner, Dominic Boucher said this time of year was a fantastic time to think about donating glasses.
“We see a huge influx of people wanting to use their health insurance benefits to purchase a new pair of glasses,” Mr Boucher said.
“We’d love to see more people donating their old specs in store so they can benefit people in need.”
In partnership with Lions Recycle for Sight, Specsavers is now into their fourth year of the recycling program, which sees quality glasses and sunglasses being delivered to people in need overseas.
In 2018, Lions Recycle for Sight sent 334,860 pairs of refurbished spectacles to 20 destinations worldwide.
More than one billion people worldwide are living with vision impairment because they do not get the care they need for conditions like short and far sightedness, glaucoma, and cataracts, according to the World Health Organisation.
Additional research shows almost of one in five Aussies – the equivalent of 3.5 million Australians – will be purchasing a new pair of optical or sunglasses this year, adding to the older or pre-loved glasses sitting at home which are perfect for donating.
While some discarded specs will collect dust, as many as one in four, or 4.5 million people, are simply just throwing them in the bin.
“We’ve loved being able to directly work with the community in helping them to recycle their older pairs of glasses,” Mr Boucher said.
“It’s such a great feeling – being able to tangibly see the impact that you’re making.”
All pre-loved glasses that are sent to Lions Recycle for Sight from Specsavers are quality tested, cleaned, categorised and boxed according to prescription.
The best of the glasses collected are provided to charity, while the rest of the glasses are recycled.
Lions Recycle for Sight has been operating since 1998.
Chairman of Lions Recycle for Sight Australia Ken Leonard OAM said the program ensures people in need of spectacles can get access to a pair.
“People who have a need but no financial capacity can get a free pair in their homeland suitable for them,” Mr Leonard said.
“Recently, we sent 40,000 pairs of refurbished spectacles to Vietnam.
“What we tend to find is 75 per cent of recycled ones can be refurbished and reused. Of the other 25 per cent, [nearly all of them] have metal frames, and we can then, if unsuitable for refurbishment, we can break them down and recycle the frames, reducing impact on landfill.
“It works.”
Mr Leonard recounted some heartwarming stories of the glasses having real-life benefits for recipients.
“We gave them to some women who do knitting and crochets and were struggling to see. Lo and behold they get glasses for the first time and can see what they’re making.
“A young six-year-old wrote to us and said, ‘I needed a new pair of spectacles. Daddy got me new pair and I want to give mine to another child in need.’”
Over the past four years, Specsavers Australia has donated more than 700,000 pairs in partnership with Lions Recycle for Sight and are hoping to collect another 400,000 by the end of 2022 – heading towards a goal of more than one million pairs of glasses donated only five years since the partnership began.
To head in store to donate any of your own pre-loved glasses, visit Specsavers Cranbourne Park at Shop 129, Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre, High St, Cranbourne, or visit specsavers.com.au/stores for more information.
