What to do with your old glasses and sunglasses

It’s national Recycle Week so here’s some handy hints on recycling your old glasses and sunglasses. Repairing and rewearing is the most eco friendly way to reuse your old glasses, but the next best thing is to recycle your old eyewear.

Glasses frames are a tricky mix of metal and plastic, they currently can’t be simply popped in with the household recycling, as the materials need separating out to be fully recycled.

So how can you recycle your old glasses? Here’s our guide to recycling and donating glasses and sunglasses.

reduce glasses waste

Choosing a quality pair of glasses is the best way to reduce glasses waste and keep them out of landfill. Look for quality acetate, metal not plastic hinges and a nice weight and feel will reveal a well made pair.

Go for vintage or preloved secondhand glasses frames over buying new for a more circular sustainable option.

Look after your eyewear, as loved things last. Keep in the case and clean with the cloth - no leaving glasses lens down and you’ll avoid scratches and cracks - head here for more on how to look after your glasses.

Repair and rewear your old frames instead of being tempted to buy new each time your prescription updates.

Repair and rewear old glasses

If you can't bear to part with your favourite glasses, reuse and rewear your old eyewear. Damaged lenses can be reglazed and updated while your frames can be repaired and restored to bring them back into use.

Frame scratching and whitening can be polished out, hinges repaired, nose pads replaced and sides straightened. The reglazing process is easy and your old lenses can be simply replaced with your new updated prescription.

If you’re still in love your current frame, re-lensing glasses is the perfect sustainable solution. You have the option to add in extra coatings or add in a blue light filter for a pocket friendly alternative to buying new.

Or you could add in a tinted lens and turn your old glasses into sunglasses, breathing new life into your old pair.

recycle your old glasses

Old glasses frames or vintage sunglasses hanging around? Don't throw them away - feel good and give back by donating them to us to be recycled or upcycled.

Donate your old frames and we’ll repurpose them by restoring and reselling your unwanted frames saving them from landfill. Or we’ll reuse their parts for repairs. The majority of our donated frames go on to Lions Club who use them to do good in sight related projects in the UK and overseas.

Any we can’t salvage go for recycling at a specialist facility.

Send us your vintage glasses or modern glasses frames and you’ll receive a £10 voucher to spend in store on a new-to-you frame.

You can also donate them direct to Lions Club who will use them to raise money for sight related charity projects across the UK. Vision Aid Overseas are no longer running their glasses recycling scheme.

We don’t recommend donating your old glasses to charity shops, unless they have a designated glasses recycling collection box, as they won’t be able to resell the glasses with prescription lenses and might just end up in landfill. They may accept ready reading glasses, but check with your local charity shop first.

play Dress Up

Keep your old glasses for costume parties and fancy dress. Mums.. a small supply of glasses, particlarly round Harry Potter frames, can come in more than useful for World Book Day. Then there’s Halloween and theme parties to consider.. go as your favourite glasses icon.. we’re thinking Elton John, Iris Apfel, Jackie O or Michael Caine.

re-Sell your old glasses

Cotton Bro

Keep unwanted eyewear out of landfill and make a little money for your next frame purchase by selling your old glasses on eBay or Depop. Use a good picture and lots of lovely description to help them sell, remembering to include any flaws. Glasses, especially modern frames, have eye size, frame width and lots of information including make and model numbers on the inside to help you make that sale.

gift your glasses

Daria shevtsova

Give your glasses as a gift to friends or family, a frame might just suit them too. We wouldn’t advise sharing lenses with your bespoke prescription, as wearing the incorrect strength can damage your peepers, so lenses should be removed first.

Your gifted glasses can be restored and reglazed as a present for a loved one or made into ready reading glasses perfect for regifting.

If you want to learn more about what you can and can’t recycle - head over to Recycle Now and let’s keep what we can out of landfill #reducereuserecycle

Jo

Repair and rewear your glasses

With both a climate and cost of living crisis, there’s never been a better time to repair and rewear your existing glasses and sunglasses. We’ll show you to how to fix broken glasses, from an emergency repair remedy to our extensive glasses repairs and sunglasses restoration services - better for both planet and pocket.

how to fix broken glasses at home

When you’re in a fix.. the most common fix is having a screw come loose. Your glasses sides are attached by a tiny screw in the hinge and these screws can often come loose over time or even fall out.

A simple fix.. all you need is a tiny screwdriver - just line up the hinges, insert the screw into the hole and screw back in place. For a sprung side hinge it’s a bit trickier to align and replace the screw at home, so you’ll need some expert help.

If you can't find the missing screw, you could try finding a similar sized screw from an older pair of glasses you don't wear any more, or visit the store you purchased the frames from and they should sort you out with a replacement.

An emergency home remedy is to use a bit of twist tie wire. Thread the wire through the holes and secure until you can get your glasses properly repaired with a replacement screw.

glasses and sunglasses repairs & restoration

If your eyewear’s in need of a little tlc, repair don’t replace. Be sustainable and prolong the life of your glasses and sunglasses with our repair services.

If you’ve been told it’s not possible to repair your glasses and you must buy new, get in touch and see what we can do. We can salvage spectacles from the hands of children and we’ve even been known to remove the odd dog bite!

Restore glasses to former glory with our restoration services; repairing and reworking broken hinges, replacing broken parts and updating glasses with fresh new lenses and prescriptions.

We always recommend having a spare pair of glasses for use when restoration and repair work is carried out on your everyday frame, some repair services can take 1-2 weeks leaving you without your glasses.

Restoring and rewearing your glasses will keep them in use for years to come. It’s always worth repairing well made frames so when chosing glasses always go for the best quality you can afford and remember loved things last.

Glasses frame repairs

There’s a number of ways we can fix broken glasses and sunglasses with our frame restoration services..

Hinge repairs for broken glasses hinges - new custom made hinges will be made and fitted to your damaged glasses or sunglasses frames. If your sides are damaged we find a best match replacement sides which we’ll source and fit to your frame. Side tips, nose pads and screws can all be quickly and easily replaced. We offer soldering, bonding and pinning and an array of other glasses repair options too.

Frame adjustments when sides have been twisted or pulled out of shape, can be heat treated, adjusted and straightened back to their original state.

Ultra Sonic Deep Clean is a deep cleaning treatment where lenses are removed, before being cleansed, along with frame, in our ultra sonic cleaner ‘Bubbles’ to remove built up dirt from every crevice, before being hand finished and reassembled. This cleaning service is also included in the Peep Polish.

Peep Polish is our polishing restoration and refurbishing service for both glasses and sunglasses (frames only) that removes wear including scratching and discolouration and restores lustre, prolonging the longevity of your glasses.

Frames are dismantled before being polished on our polishing wheel and then buffed to restore sheen. The frame parts go for a dip in our ultra sonic cleaner Bubbles followed by an ultrafine finishing polish, then reassembled, heat treated and reshaped, screws tightened and oiled.

Cut, edge and fit this service is for you if your glasses are beyond repair, but your lenses are still good. We can find a similar style frame - we’ll show you some options for you to choose from and fit your lenses into them.

Replacing damaged scratched glasses lenses

To prevent scratching, keep your glasses in the case and face up when they’re not on your face. If your glasses lenses are scratched, they will probably need replacing.

There are some products around now, usually for jewellery and watch restoration, that may be able to polish out the scratched damage, but this could do further damage creating distortion or damage to the lens coatings so we really can’t recommend it.

If your lenses are cracked there’s no way to salvage them, they’ll need replacing - glasses and sunglasses lenses can be replaced with your updated prescription.

All our premium lens coatings come with a 2 year peace of mind scratch guarantee, so if you find yourself with scratched lenses, they’ll be replaced at no extra cost. This can be a good way to get the most from your lenses if you’re a dropper or share a home with children or animals.

For more info, take a peep at our article on what to do with your old glasses.

If you want to save pennies and planet, extend the life of your glasses with a little repair shop treatment and take a peep at our Repair Services.

Jo

Shopping secondhand glasses and sunglasses

It’s Secondhand September so there’s never been a better time to shop secondhand - planet and pocket friendly, it’s not just for clothing, second hand glasses and sunglasses are a sustainable investment in both your wardrobe and our planet.

second hand september

Oxfam started Secondhand September to shine a light on preloved where people pledge to shop only secondhand for the month, usually associated with Fashion Week, urging them to shop style over trends.

In contrast to thrifting through charity and musty vintage rails (which I’m still a sucker for), Preloved fashion (and homeware) has evolved to chic new levels from designer pieces, deadstock vintage, professional restoration and highly curated stock through the likes of independent Instagram vintage stores, eBay, Vinted and Depop.

In hopping off the trend cycle you can develop your personal style, reducing overconsumption and investing in what suits you; rewearing and repairing for years to come.

Overproduction in glasses, just as clothing, alongside a dollop of dubious 2 for 1 marketing (though we do recommend a spare pair) has resulted in frames floating around the country - mainly ending up in landfill. Unless frames are repurposed by a charity or preloved organisation and thats where we come in..

All secondhand frames donated to us are either restored and resold, benefiting our charity partners, reused through Lions Club across the globe for eye charities, utilised for repairs or if we really can’t find a use and they’re beyond repair, broken down into individual components and fully recycled.

We give a £10 voucher towards a new frame with donations, so if you have second hand frames hanging around head here to donate and recycle your glasses.

Vintage glasses

Shopping secondhand is easy with our vintage glasses range, either glasses frames are restored back to former glory or choose from deadstock vintage frames that have never been worn (New Old Stock).

One of a kind pieces, when they’re gone they’re gone, there’s nothing mundane about these babies. Made in bygone days, produced in smaller batches, low waste and often handmade. You can pick up on current trends with an original piece from the era of origin.

If you’re looking to source a secondhand glasses frame from a vintage seller, look for a solid well made frame, made by a reputable eyewear manufacturer like Oliver Goldsmith, Silhouette, Persol, Anglo American, Rodenstock or best of all a made in England stamp. We can restore these to former glory with our restoration services reworking broken hinges, replacing broken parts and updating with fresh new lenses and prescriptions.

Preloved designer glasses and sunglasses

Our preloved designer glasses frames are fully restored and brought back to life or choose from our never worn deadstock designer frames. It’s amazing how some of our preloved frames need very little work - they’re lightly worn and well looked after, but this is often a result of customers being encouraged to overconsume and buy new with every prescription update.

The joy of choosing secondhand designer glasses is they become much more affordable. You enjoy a premium quality piece from your favourite designer and know you’re doing your bit to save the planet at the same time.

How to take part in Secondhand September

Take the Oxfam pledge and find out more about the problems with throwaway fashion at Fashion Revolution.

You don’t have to shop to take part - why not host a clothes swap with friends.

Do a wardrobe edit and mix things up so you fall back in love with what you already own.

Repair and rewear - get to that mending pile and if your eyewear needs some tlc check out our restoration services.

Happy Secondhand September!

Jo

Plant a tree for the Jubilee

Gary Barnes

Did you know for every pair of glasses or sunglasses we sell, we plant a native tree right here in the UK. This year we’re also planting trees for the Platinum Jubilee in celebration of The Queen’s 70 years of Service. The Queen’s Green Canopy is a tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the country to ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’.

Everyone can take part in enhancing our environment by planting trees from October, when the tree planting season begins, through to the end of the Jubilee year in 2022. The Queen’s Green Canopy are also dedicating a network of 70 Ancient Woodlands across the country and identifying 70 Ancient Trees.

There are lots of ways to get involved - you can plant a tree in your own garden and pin it to QGC map or with our charity partner Trees for Cities, one of the official QGC partners, we’ll do it for you every time you purchase a pair of glasses or sunnies from us 🌳

Gary Barnes

Mass tree planting is one of the simplest ways to help the environment and trees are vital to our wellbeing... storing carbon, cleaning the air, and helping to increase biodiversity, not to mention the benefits to our mental health by just being in their company. ⁣

Our tree planting partner charity Trees for Cities strengthen communities by creating green spaces through volunteering opportunities and have planted 1,117,899 trees and counting. ⁣

⁣⁣From urban forests to the creation of edible playgrounds, getting stuck in with local communities to cultivate lasting change in neighbourhoods across the country – whether it’s revitalising forgotten spaces, creating healthier environments or getting people excited about growing, foraging and eating healthy food. ⁣

Gary Barnes

⁣Every pair of glasses or sunnies we sell plants a native tree where it’s needed most, right here in the UK.

How will you plant yours?

Jo

Sustainable Living - Plastic Free July

aldo delara

It’s Plastic Free July and we’re looking at sustainable living - how we can ditch the plastic and introduce more planet friendly alternatives.

Microplastics are everywhere, swimming in our oceans, filling up our earth and now raining down in the air we breathe. It’s time to wean ourselves off the plastic - here’s our take on sustainable living and where to start.

plastic free july

marten bjork

Now more than ever single use plastics are clogging up our planet, polluting our oceans and our lives. Choose to refuse single use plastics this July and search out low waste or no waste alternatives, it’s easier than you think.

The Plastic Free July site is the perfect place to start with lots of hints and tips on ways to get started. There’s no judgement, just great planet friendly ideas to help the earth and ease your conscience.

I’ve been on my eco journey for a few years now, slowly but surely reducing my plastic consumption and swapping out products and habits in favour of eco friendly alternatives where and when I can. I’ve ditched the clingfilm and the kitchen towels (cloth napkins all the way) and I’ve invested in a home composter for my food waste. It’s a work in progress, I’ve taken inspiration from vintage lifestyles, when we used to live much more simply.

Before you buy, stop and think about the low or no waste options. Buy things made to last and not single use throwaway destined straight for landfill. Seek out planet-friendly materials such as wood, paper, cardboard (all biodegradable) and metal or glass, both of which are more easily recyclable than plastic along with more durable and longlasting.

Look to the 5 R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot

Plastic Free Swaps

Luisa Brimble

Here’s some simple swaps to get you started on your plastic free, low waste journey…

Reuse your old jars - jam and pickle jars are perfect for rehousing, from dried beans, to seeds, to paperclips - it’s a win win.

Shop small - buy from smaller suppliers with sustainable processes and packaging.

Reusable silicone lids or beeswax wraps - perfect for popping over leftovers of all shapes and sizes, though the old plate over a plate tactic works just as well.

Replace - water bottles, coffee cups, sandwich bags and plastic bags with reusable versions and keep in a tote bag by the door.

Swap your soap - from liquid to solid bar soap, it’s an easy swap plus it lasts a lot longer.

Buy refillable - toiletries and cleaning products can be purchased from your local or online zero waste store in bigger sizes.

Buy in bulk - and buy loose produce, less individual wrappings equals less plastic.

Wave goodbye to wipes - wipes of any kind make up over 90% of icky fatbergs, go back to basics with washable cloths.

Wash with care - wash at low temps and use a GuppyFriend washing bag to capture microplastics.

kiki siepel

Besma, Curiously Conscious, has a great article on making simple plastic free swaps. Check out The Story of Plastic (Discovery) for more.

Feeling inspired? Take the pledge here

Little acts can add up to a big difference - we got this.

Jo

Wake Up Your Wardrobe

cottonbro

We're using January to do a little fashion refresh for the coming seasons and urge you to do the same. Feel a little lighter and fall in love with your clothes again...

Wardrobe Wrestle

Fed up wrestling with your wardrobe and rotating the same few items? Wardrobes bursting at the seams are both a distraction and a drain on your time. The time is nigh to set aside a few hours to play dress-up and be brutal.

To earn a coveted place in your wardrobe each piece needs to be either beautiful or practical and should make you look and feel good. Think minimal - colour coordinate... it may change your life.

"Modern Minimalism is about simplicity, whether quality or trend, longevity is the key to a consciously curated wardrobe" we couldn't agree more Sophie Benson, one of our fave style bloggers - check out some of her fab sustainable fashion posts and make your wardrobe work for you. 

Style Challenge

Pick a piece from your wardrobe (not pants) and get creative. Wear your staple piece for the whole week, mix and match with other items and wear it a differently every day. You might surprise yourself and it will reset the way you think about your clothes.

Recycle and Repurpose

Every year an estimated 300,000 tonnes of used clothing goes to landfill in the UK, so dispose of anything that doesn't fit or flatter in the following sustainable ways...

Donate - good quality clothing to your favourite charity, avoiding landfill and helping a good cause = feel good factor

Clothes Swap - a good excuse for a soiree and you get to go home with a new outfit = win

Recycle - let Clothes Aid collect your unwanted clothes and benefit UK charities. Or locate your nearest Clothing Bank.

Sell - we're over Christmas and onto the Alps - who doesn't need the readies for that extra pair of ski goggles - try a little eBay for the fondue kitty.

Check out the fab Love Your Clothes website for lots of lovely tips on upcycling and make do and mend; salvaging our favourite finds.

Now you've achieved all this you can go right ahead and feel smug until at least March - enjoy.

Keep your peepers open for our new launches coming soon!

Jo