University Village : (206) 522-9323
Pike Place : (206) 448-7739
Menu

Seattle Contact Lens Recycling: What You Need to Know

Are your contact lenses polluting Puget Sound? Discover how contact lens waste in Seattle harms marine life—and what you can do to recycle smarter and protect local ecosystems.

Key Takeaways: The Environmental Impact of Contact Lens Waste in Seattle

  • Tiny Plastics, Big Problem: Contact lens waste contributes to Puget Sound pollution and overwhelms Seattle’s landfills due to inadequate recycling infrastructure for small plastics.

  • Recycle the Right Way: Drop off used lenses, blister packs, and foils—separated—in designated bins at Cannon EyeCare’s Seattle locations. Cardboard packaging should be recycled at home.

  • Eco-Bonus: Every 10 lbs recycled supports global eye care via a donation from Bausch + Lomb, turning your eco-habit into a global good.

  • Choose Wisely: Daily disposables offer convenience but generate more waste; monthly lenses are more sustainable for frequent wearers and can help reduce your environmental impact.

  • Avoid Flushing Lenses: Flushed contacts become microplastics—always dispose in the trash or, better yet, recycle.

  • Think Beyond Lenses: Recycle old glasses locally, choose brands with low-waste packaging, and take advantage of Seattle’s green programs like composting and Recycle Right workshops.

  • Lead by Example: Cannon EyeCare’s eco-conscious practices show how local clinics can support sustainability—one contact lens at a time.

Workers sorting used contact lens blister packs at a recycling facility, with gloved hands placing items into a large blue bin near a conveyor system.

The Environmental Impact of Contact Lens Waste in Seattle

Every year, over 20 million contact lenses end up in U.S. landfills, and Seattle’s recycling systems struggle to process small plastics like blister packs. When improperly disposed of, these materials break down into microplastics that threaten Puget Sound’s marine life.

How This Affects Seattle:

  • Puget Sound Pollution: Microplastics from lenses and packaging harm salmon habitats and local waterways.
  • Landfill Overload: Seattle’s Cedar Hills Landfill receives 1.2 million tons of waste annually—contact lens waste adds unnecessary volume.
  • Local Recycling Gaps: Standard curbside bins in King County can’t sort tiny plastics, forcing residents to seek alternatives like Cannon EyeCare’s TerraCycle program.

How Contact Lens Recycling Works

Drop Off Your Lenses & Packaging at Cannon EyeCare:

  • Accepted Items: Foils, plastic blister packs, and used contact lenses (separated from each other).
  • Locations: Conveniently drop off at our University Village or Pike Place office in Seattle.
  • Not Accepted: Cardboard boxes & paper packaging (recycle these at home).

Pro Tip for Eco-Conscious Seattleites:

  • Store foils, blister packs, and lenses in separate bags at home.
  • Bring them in once full—no need to clean the lenses!

What Happens After Drop-Off?

  1. Our Seattle clinics ship full bins to TerraCycle.

  2. Materials are sorted, melted down, and repurposed into new products.

  3. Bausch + Lomb donates $1 to Optometry Giving Sight for every 10 lbs recycled—helping both the environment and global eye care!

Monthly Replacement vs. Daily Disposable Contact Lenses

At our Seattle practice, we carefully guide patients through the pros and cons of daily disposable contacts versus monthly replacement lenses. Here’s what you should consider:

Advantages of Daily Disposable Lenses:

  • Convenience: No cleaning required, and no need to track left vs. right lenses.
  • Freshness & Safety: Each day starts with a sterile lens, reducing irritation and infection risks.
  • No Cleaning Solutions Needed (unless a lens is dropped)—simpler and often better for eye health.

Disadvantages of Daily Disposables:

  • Higher Annual Cost (if worn more than 3-4 times per week compared to monthlies).
  • More Packaging Waste—through our Seattle recycling program helps mitigate this.
  • Limited Availability: Some prescriptions may not yet be offered in daily options (though selection is improving).

Important Disposal Reminder

Never flush contacts down the toilet or sink—this contributes to microplastic pollution in our oceans. Even if they don’t clog your drain, they end up harming marine ecosystems. Always dispose of used lenses in the trash or, better yet, recycle them through our Seattle contact lens recycling program.

Running a Green Medical Practice in Seattle

Sustainability is a priority at our clinic. Dr. Mark Cannon bikes to work daily to reduce our carbon footprint, and we actively minimize waste by:

  • Reusing materials until fully spent.
  • Composting & Recycling: Unlike most Seattle medical offices, we compost (including shredded paper) and haul waste to residential bins for proper sorting.

Other Ways to Make Your Eye Care Routine Eco-Friendly in Seattle

Beyond recycling lenses, Seattle residents can adopt sustainable practices:

Sustainable Contact Lens Choices:

  • Opt for monthly lenses if you wear contacts 3+ days weekly (reduces packaging waste).
  • Ask our Seattle optometrists about BIOTRUE® or PuriLens® solutions—both available locally with recyclable bottles.

Reduce Packaging Waste:

  • Recycle eyeglasses and cases at Lion’s Club bins (located in Seattle-area libraries and community centers).
  • Choose brands like Acuvue® Oasys, which use 30% less plastic in blister packs.

Support Local Green Initiatives:

  • Participate in Seattle Public Utilities’ Recycle Right workshops to master home sorting.
  • Pair your lens recycling with Cannon EyeCare’s co-management of cataract/LASIK surgeries—minimizing travel and carbon footprint.

Contact lens waste may be small, but its environmental impact in Seattle is anything but. By recycling properly, choosing sustainable lens options, and supporting eco-conscious clinics, you can help protect Puget Sound and reduce landfill overload—one lens at a time.

Ready to make a difference?
Start by collecting your used lenses and packaging, then drop them off at Cannon EyeCare’s Seattle locations. Small actions lead to cleaner oceans and a greener city.

Contact us

FAQs

Related Posts