Same answer in every state and territory
Where to donate old glasses in Australia
Anywhere in Australia, prescription glasses in good condition go to Lions Recycle for Sight, which measures each pair and passes them to people who need them. Drop them at a participating Specsavers, HCF Eyecare or optometrist, or post them free. Broken or scratched pairs go to Opticycle recycling at Specsavers instead. Take them out of their cases.
Sources Lions Recycle for Sight AustraliaOptometry Australia: how to recycle used glassesRecycling Near You: glasses drop-off pointsTerraCycle: contact lens Zero Waste Box
What do I do with glasses?
- Check they can be reused Lions Recycle for Sight wants prescription glasses in good condition, prescription sunglasses included. Optometry Australia's guidance asks for single-vision glasses only, not bifocals or multifocals, and no plain frames without a prescription. Broken or scratched glasses cannot be reused, but they can be recycled.
- Take them out of the case Cases are not accepted. Send or drop off the glasses on their own.
- Drop them off or post them free Many Specsavers and HCF Eyecare stores have a Lions collection box, as do some independent optometrists and Lions clubs; call ahead to check. Or post them free to Reply Paid 3021, Lions Recycle for Sight, PO Box 3021, Clontarf MDC QLD 4019.
- Broken or scratched? Opticycle Glasses in poor condition, and contact lenses, can be recycled through Opticycle. Drop them at a Specsavers store.
Lions Recycle for Sight Australia runs nationally. Volunteers read each pair's prescription on a lensometer and pass the glasses to people who need them, in Australia and overseas.
Which glasses does Recycle for Sight accept?
Prescription glasses in good condition, prescription sunglasses included. Optometry Australia's guidance asks for single-vision glasses only, so no bifocals or multifocals, and no plain frames without a prescription. Broken or scratched glasses cannot be reused, but they can be recycled through Opticycle at Specsavers.
Where can I drop off old glasses?
At a participating Specsavers or HCF Eyecare store, an independent optometrist or a local Lions club; call ahead to check the store has a collection box. Recycling Near You lists drop-off points by postcode.
Can I post old glasses?
Yes, free, without a stamp: Reply Paid 3021, Lions Recycle for Sight, PO Box 3021, Clontarf MDC QLD 4019. Take the glasses out of their cases first; cases are not accepted.
What about broken or scratched glasses?
They cannot be reused, so do not send them to Recycle for Sight. Recycling Near You says glasses in poor condition can be recycled through Opticycle: drop them at a Specsavers store.
What happens to donated glasses?
Volunteers clean them, read each prescription on a lensometer and seal each pair in a labelled bag. The glasses go to people who need them, in Australia and overseas.
What about contact lenses?
Recycle for Sight accepts unused contact lenses. Recycling Near You says contact lenses can also be recycled through Opticycle at Specsavers. TerraCycle sells a paid Zero Waste Box for contact lenses and their packaging.
This answer is the same in every state and territory, so there is one page for it. The answers that change at the state border are listed at where does it go.