{"id":24498,"date":"2023-03-24T14:04:30","date_gmt":"2023-03-24T21:04:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clearly.ca\/thelook\/?p=24498"},"modified":"2023-03-24T14:04:31","modified_gmt":"2023-03-24T21:04:31","slug":"donate-eyeglasses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clearly.ca\/thelook\/donate-eyeglasses\/","title":{"rendered":"What should I do with my old eyeglasses?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

These days, glasses aren\u2019t just for seeing better. They\u2019re for looking better too. Now that glasses are widely recognized as a fashion statement, you may be in the market for a new pair of specs. But what should you do with your old pair? Can you donate your eyeglasses? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not interested in keeping your old pair of glasses as a backup, there are several other options you can explore: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Donate eyeglasses. <\/strong>Yes! You can donate your glasses. We\u2019ll explain how later on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Recycle glasses frames.<\/strong> If they have glass lenses, remove them and recycle them with glass, then you can recycle the frames with either your plastics or metals, depending on the frame material. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Sell them.<\/strong> Someone else may not be able to use your prescription, but they can definitely reuse the frames. If they\u2019re a popular name brand \u2014 like Tory Burch<\/a>, Michael Kors<\/a> or Coach<\/a> \u2014 it\u2019s possible that you could get a decent return on them.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Replace the lenses.<\/strong> If you\u2019re shopping around simply because your prescription changed, you can just replace the lenses<\/a> with ones that meet your needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can I donate my\u00a0old\u00a0glasses?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Clearly<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Maybe you\u2019ve been thinking about donating your glasses for a while \u2014 you just didn\u2019t know how. Would it be weird if you just walked into a thrift store with your old glasses? Is that even the right place to take them? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can put your anxiety at ease. Here are a few ways to donate your glasses: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Mail them in.<\/strong> Avoid face-to-face interaction altogether by mailing them in to an organization that accepts donations. (We\u2019ll name a few in the next section.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Walk them in. <\/strong>Yes, there are several places that allow you to drop off donations in person. You just have to know where to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Slip them in a donation box.<\/strong> Some organizations place drop boxes in high-traffic areas where you can leave your old pair of glasses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Take them to a drive-thru. <\/strong>If you\u2019re in a hurry, you can roll through a drive-thru for a national nonprofit organization. Larger nonprofits have streamlined the donation process, making it as convenient as getting a Tim Horton\u2019s chicken sandwich. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of these are great options, but before you take your old glasses anywhere, make sure they are in good condition. Double-check that they\u2019re not missing screws, cracked or bent. The nonprofit or business to which you\u2019re trying to donate may reject your donation if the glasses are in poor shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where can I donate my\u00a0used\u00a0glasses?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Clearly<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When you hear the word \u201cdonation,\u201d you probably associate it with charities and nonprofits. However, not all charities accept donations for eyeglasses \u2014\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em>not all organizations that accept these donations are nonprofits.\u00a0Here are a few places you can donate your old glasses:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Clearly retail stores<\/a> accept glasses from any eyewear store. In partnership with Essilor Vision Foundation, we recycle frames and donate them to someone in need. We take donations at our retail locations, or you can mail them in by contacting our customer service<\/a>. In return, you\u2019ll receive $5 Clearly store credit towards your next pair.*<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To receive $5 credit, glasses must be in good condition. Frame Donation Consent Form must be included with the returned glasses. Please note that once a frame has been donated,\u00a0it cannot be returned under any circumstances.\u00a0Up to $25 per year in credit or five frames per year, per customer.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Recycling Council of British Columbia has a Recyclepedia<\/a> for a collection point in your area in BC. Simply select \u2018glass\u2019, \u2018eyeglass\u2019, and your desired location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Missisauga Central Lions Club<\/a> provides a list of locations in your area in Missisauga. Their website also provides the location name, street address, postal code and phone number for each. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. CLERC<\/a> (also known as Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre) runs a network of collection boxes and collection points across Canada. These boxes can be found in many public locations, including libraries, schools, optometrist offices, community centers, local Lions Club office and other public venues. You can easily use their store locator tool to find the nearest location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you make the trek to your local donation center, call ahead to make sure they\u2019re currently accepting eyeglasses. It\u2019s possible they\u2019re already at capacity, or the location you found can\u2019t take glasses donations for some reason. It\u2019s definitely better to know before you go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve donated your glasses. Ready for a new pair? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve made your donation, and now you want a new pair of glasses. But you haven\u2019t found the right fit yet. Here are a few things to consider: <\/p>\n\n\n\n