From: Packaging News

Johnson & Johnson Vision has launched the UK’s first free nationwide recycling programme for all contact lenses and its packaging.

Part of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, the firm said over a third (39%) of contact lenses wearers aren’t sure or believe they can recycle lenses.

The ACUVUE Contact Lens Recycle Programme is the UK’s first free nationwide programme which enables consumers to easily recycle their contact lenses and the blister and foil packaging after use.

Johnson & Johnson Vision is collaborating with TerraCycle, and the programme is available to all soft contact lens wearers regardless of which contact lens brand they use, and is rolling out in Boots Opticians and select independent practices.

Consumers will have the option of either having their contact lens material collected, or dropping it off through a network of recycling bins at public drop-off locations.

Laure Cucuron, general manager of TerraCycle Europe, told Packagnig News: “This is an exciting new partnership for us, in a sector that has previously struggled with recycling. Contact lenses and the associated blister and foil packaging are items consumers regularly ask TerraCycle about a recycling solution for so we are delighted that thanks to Acuvue, we can now offer a free Nationwide recycling solution for contact lenses for the first time in the UK.”