Recycle Your Old Spectacles at Smallmead and Longshot Lane

24/5/2010

Residents are now able to recycle their old pairs of glasses at both Smallmead and Longshot Lane Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Old spectacles are the latest item to be accepted at both the Reading and Bracknell-based sites, with the old pairs of glasses then passed onto the charity Vision Aid Overseas. Vision Aid Overseas helps people in developing countries whose lives are blighted by bad eyesight, particularly in those cases where glasses can help.

Residents are asked to think about recycling their old glasses next time their prescription needs updating or if they come across old spectacles which are no longer in use.

When the old pairs of glasses arrive at either Smallmead or Longshot Lane, are sorted through to eliminate any which are unsuitable. Lenses are then graded, packed and sent overseas for use.

Glasses are the latest addition to the long list of things that you can recycle at both sites, including cooking oil, batteries, books, cartons, foil, glass, light bulbs, mobile phones, printer cartridges, britta water filters, shoes, textiles, electronic items, wood, car batteries, paint, used engine oil, scrap metal, plasterboard, soil, hardcore, rubble and garden waste.

All old spectacles are potentially useful, although neither hard spectacle cases and loose lenses can be used. Vision Aid Overseas apply two key principles; spectacles are only dispensed after a full eye test and If the glasses are of a standard we would be prepared to wear ourselves.

Vision Aid Overseas estimate that 300 million people in the developing world need spectacles to live an ordinary life. The charity sends teams of optical professionals to some of the world´s poorest countries and volunteers set up clinics, screen large numbers of patients and provide spectacles where necessary. The charity currently works in Africa and India. For more info go to: Smallmead and Longshot Lane Household Waste Recycling Centres are open Monday to Sunday 08.00am to 8pm in Summer Months.