Old sunglasses often end up in landfills due to their mixed materials, but simple steps can extend their life or repurpose them. A guide from eyewear expert Craig Anderson outlines seven practical alternatives to disposal. These methods promote repair, donation, and creative reuse to reduce waste.
Sunglasses pose a recycling challenge because they combine metals, plastics, and coatings that sorting machines cannot easily process, leading to landfill waste. Unlike single-use items, their durable components make them ideal for repair or reinvention, according to Craig Anderson, founder of The Sunglass Fix.
The first solution targets scratched lenses by replacing them with precision-cut options from specialists, preserving the resource-heavy frame and avoiding full replacement. For intact pairs, donation offers global impact: organizations like Lions Clubs International collect them via yellow boxes in libraries, while OneSight delivers eyewear to needy communities and ReSpectacle matches glasses to recipients.
DIY maintenance addresses minor issues without professional help. Users can tighten loose screws with a precision screwdriver, adjust bent frames by warming plastic ones slightly, replace nose pads with silicone alternatives, clean stiff hinges with soapy water and lubricant, or buff oxidized plastic for a fresh look using a microfiber cloth.
For non-wearable frames, upcycling turns parts into decor like mirror frames or wall art by combining multiple pairs. Lenses suit craft projects, such as pendants or earrings, popping out easily for jewelry making. Outdoors, sturdy arms become waterproof plant markers when labeled with permanent ink.
If nothing else works, separate components manually: remove lenses, strip metal hardware like screws and hinges, consolidate metals in a sealed can for recycling, and mail plastic frames to programs like Terracycle or Banish for specialized processing.
Anderson emphasizes shifting from a disposable mindset to a circular one, where repairing items like sunglasses contributes to sustainability. His work stems from recognizing eyewear industry waste after leaving IT.