1000 Flowers for the Planet - #19 Recycle Spectacles

1000 Flowers for the Planet - #19 Recycle Spectacles

I thought this would be an easy one, but it’s not. Things are never straight-forward.

For years my local hospital has collected unwanted spectacles for distribution to developing countries where those people who are unable to purchase spectacles for themselves may gain the benefit of aided sight. Lions Australia have a wonderful article at http://lionsclubs.org.au/activities/health/vision-hearing/lions-recycle-for-sight-australia/

detailing how you can recycle your old spectacles and benefit someone in need.

However, whilst researching for this Flower I also came across an article at

http://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/other/recycled-glasses, telling people not to send recycled glasses to developing countries and why.  The claims here are that this is not a cost saving exercise and people in need of spectacles can be better served by the provision of proper eye examinations and a new pair of glasses, something the article claims can be provided at a cost of $10 per person.

I’ll have to leave this one with you to ponder for yourself. Or let me know of another way to recycle spectacles.