Can I recycle my contact lenses? Where do I put the lens — in the bin or down the toilet? And what about the plastic packaging? These are questions that contact lens wearers find themselves asking, more or less every day.
At Lenstore we wanted to clear this up with a simple, practical guide. No more confusion, no more mistakes — and most importantly, a more environmentally responsible approach.
The first step is to understand and identify the different components that make up a contact lens pack, whether daily or monthly:
- Cardboard packaging
- Blister pack containing the lens
- Aluminium foil lid covering the blister
- Lens preservation fluid
- Contact lenses
Each has its own disposal method, and we’ll now go through how to dispose of them correctly. Ready? Let’s go!
Cardboard packaging
The outer packaging of contact lenses and the leaflets inside are 100% recyclable because they’re made from paper. Result!
Blister packs
Contact lenses are stored in a small clear plastic container called a blister pack, sealed with an aluminium foil lid. Both are recyclable — the plastic part goes in the plastic recycling, while the aluminium foil should follow your local council guidelines: it may be recyclable with plastics, or separately with other metals. Either way, it can be recycled!
Preservation fluid
The preservation fluid inside the blister pack can be poured down the sink without any issue. Easy.
Contact lenses
And the lenses themselves? Never flush them down the toilet! It’s common practice to dispose of used lenses this way — but it’s wrong. Contact lenses are made from non-biodegradable plastic materials.
Want to know more? Take a look at the materials used to make soft contact lenses.
So what should you do? It may seem surprising, but contact lenses cannot currently be recycled at home. Their relatively small size, combined with the mix of organic and inorganic materials, makes recycling impossible for now. For correct disposal, your lenses should go in the general waste bin.
Lens cases and solution bottles
If you wear monthly lenses, you’ll know that the lens case for overnight storage should be replaced every month. So where does it go? In the plastic recycling! Lens cases are made from polypropylene — the same material used for food containers, soap bottles, and personal care products. Always check the guidelines from your local council, as some areas recycle this material separately from PET (polyethylene terephthalate, the polymer used for plastic bottles).
Eco-friendly tips
If you want to go a step further for environmental sustainability, here are some tips to help reduce contact lens waste.
- Consider switching from daily to monthly lenses to reduce plastic by-products and packaging.
- Once you’ve finished with them, wash and reuse lens cases and solution bottles for other purposes.
- Reduce delivery trips and carbon emissions by ordering multiple packs of lenses in a single order.
Now that everything is clear, there are no more excuses. And if you’re running low on lenses, stock up at Lenstore.