Now that you have finished using your contacts, what next? If you do not know just what to do with your contacts after using them, do not worry since you are not alone. According to a recent survey, between 15 to 20 percent of contact wearers flush their used lenses via the toilets. A similar study showed that color contact lenses account for up to 10 metric tons of waste that finally ends up in landfills and water sources. Obviously, when we flush used contacts down the drain, the resultant waste can have far-reaching negative effects on our environment.
What happens is that they break down into microplastics that end in our water by way of being absorbed. They are also the real cause of loss of wildlife and environmental degradation. For this reason, proper disposal of the contact lenses should be a concern for everyone using them. While contact lenses are very small in size, their improper disposal can have ripple effects on the environment and our health. Here are some of the best ways to dispose of your used contacts to avoid or minimize the risks of damaging our environment:
Do Not Flush them: Doing so means you let the lenses directly into our water supply system and sources such as rivers, oceans, seas, or lakes, which can adversely affect aquatic life. By avoiding flushing them down the toilets, you significantly reduce the environmental impact that waste from these materials can cause.
Consider Recycling Your Used Contact Lenses
Contact lenses are too small for them to be recycled using traditional approaches. However, there are unique firms that are specialized in recycling contact lenses. All you need is to find out from an approved doctor where such waste can be sent for proper recycling.
Consider Donating Your Contacts
Because of the rising cost of contact lenses, many people are beginning to buy a year’s worth of contact lenses or reusable lenses which they do not end up using them all. To avoid throwing unused contact lenses into the dustbins or landfills, you need to donate the excess or unused contact lenses to those who need them but can’t afford to buy. Identify a goodwill location, a homeless shelter, or a community shelter to help those who cannot afford prescription color contact lenses. Besides, you can drop them to not-for-profit organizations that aim at helping the underprivileged restore their vision while at the same to help to reduce waste footprint.