SPECTACLES RECYCLING
LOOK WHAT I FOUND IN MY WARDROBE - Yes really! Before becoming a Beccles Lion I had always saved '“old” specs, as I was aware that they could be recycled, but never “got round” to doing anything about it. I am pleased to say that I have now passed these 12 pairs of specs on to Lion Gary who will include them in the next batch going to Chichester Lions.
Lions Clubs throughout the UK collect unwanted and damaged spectacles. These are then sent to Chichester Lions Club which processes tens of thousands of recycled spectacles each year. All donations are examined by a team of Lions and other volunteers in the recycling workshop. Sorted spectacles may then be sent for grading and distribution by Medico France in Le Havre. Spectacles are also sent directly to contacts running eye clinics in Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Nigeria and Nepal. In addition, volunteers from the ‘Unite for Sight’ charity are supplied with spectacles to take with them on missions to countries across the world.
Noting is wasted: Scrap metal salvaged from broken and unsuitable spectacles raises funds which support the sorting operation and enable Chichester Lions Club to give financial support to eye related projects in the UK and overseas. Since the project began over £675k has been generated from recycled materials with over £486k donated to sight related charitable causes.
If you have spectacles that you would like to donate, the following Beccles Opticians collect on our behalf: Penningtons Opticians, Observatory Opticians and Martin Storey Opticians. Beccles & District Lions Club will collect from them and these are then sent to Chichester Lions Club in bulk.
Please do not include cases unless in excellent condition. We regret that broken or empty plastic frames and loose lenses are not suitable although damaged metal frames can often be repaired. Please do not include cleaning cloths.
The main intent of all Lions Clubs is to help those less fortunate - with just a small amount of effort you can help us provide this invaluable service to those with sight problems worldwide.