Donating Glasses & Other Uses

Author: Meredith Marmurek

Did you know that more than 60% of adults in the U.S. wear prescription eyeglasses? If you’re part of that group, you’ve probably wondered what to do with your old glasses when you get a new pair.

The good news is you don’t have to throw your old pair away or leave them to collect dust in a drawer. Read on to learn some charitable and creative ways to give your old glasses new life.

Donate Eyeglasses to Help Others

There are people all over the world who need glasses but can’t get them. When you donate prescription glasses, you may help change someone’s life. Your glasses donation could help the receiving organization provide new glasses to a child who can’t see the school board or a person who can’t see the road well enough to drive for their job.

Where to Donate Glasses

If you’re looking to donate an old pair of eyeglasses, here are a few organizations that accept eyewear donations:

• Lions Clubs International – Many local Lions Clubs chapters collect used eyeglasses for cleaning, sorting, and distribution around the world. Depending on where you live, there may be a donation box at a bank, library, school, business, or optical shop in your community. Some Walmart Vision Centers also have Lions Club donation boxes. Or you can mail your old glasses directly to a Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center.
• Costco – If you’re ready to part with a gently used pair of readers or prescription glasses or sunglasses, look for an eyewear donation box at your local Costco optical center. Costco works with nonprofit Assist International to distribute eyewear donations to the people who need them around the world.
• ReSpectacle – This nonprofit maintains an online database of donated prescription eyeglasses so people needing glasses can search for an existing pair with their vision prescription. If they find a pair that suits their needs, the only cost is a small fee for shipping and handling.
• Some thrift stores – Some locations of the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and other resale shops may allow you to donate eyeglasses that are clean and in good condition. However, accepted donations are typically priced for resale rather than redistributed for free in the community.
• Your eye doctor – Your eye doctor may also accept donated glasses. Ask at your next eye exam if they recycle glasses or work with an organization that does.

Reuse Your Glasses

Reusing old prescription glasses is a great way to extend their life and prevent them from ending up in a landfill. Here are some ways you can reuse your old glasses:

• Put new lenses in your frames – If you still love the style of your current frame and it’s still in good condition, you may not need to replace it when you get a new prescription. Ask your eye doctor, optician, or online lens replacement service if you can use your current frame for your new lenses.
• Gift them to a friend or family member – You probably know plenty of people who wear glasses, and it’s possible that someone could reuse your old frames even if they don’t have the same prescription. They just need to replace the lenses.
• Sell your glasses online – There are many websites where you can sell old items, including glasses. If you’re feeling generous, look for an online community where you can give and get things for free.

Repurpose or Recycle Glasses

Your old eyeglasses don’t have to be used vision-specific purposes. Here are some other creative ideas on what to do with old glasses:

• Make jewelry – Lenses can be turned into earrings, necklaces, or brooches. You can also take the temple arms off the frame to make a necklace or glasses chain. 
• Create holiday decorations – You can use old lenses to make shiny Christmas tree ornaments and mini Christmas trees. Link your old glasses frames together to make a wreath.
• Light up your space – Your old glasses can be used to create unique light fixtures such as a table lamp, pendant light, or chandelier.

Whether you choose to donate your old eyeglasses to a charitable organization, reuse them with new lenses, or repurpose them for art or accessories, you can help others and be a responsible consumer.

When you’re ready for a new pair of prescription eyeglasses (or sunglasses), we have a wide variety to choose from. Our sustainable glasses can help you stay on the eco-friendly path, with frames made from natural materials and lenses crafted with renewable resources.