VAUGHAN, Ontario—Bausch + Lomb Corp. announced its ONE by ONE and Biotrue Eye Care recycling programs have collected a total of 58,677,480 million units, or 356,723 pounds, of used contact lens, eyecare and lens care materials. The programs are made possible through a collaboration with TerraCycle, a leader in the collection and repurposing of hard-to-recycle post-consumer waste. "Prior to the launch of Bausch + Lomb's recycling programs, contact lens wearers, eye doctors and consumers did not have a dedicated way to properly recycle contact lens, eyecare and lens care materials in the U.S.," said Amy Butler, vice president, global environment, health, safety and sustainability, Bausch + Lomb.

"The ONE by ONE and Biotrue Eye Care recycling programs are providing a solution to this concern and together are making significant strides in ensuring more and more of these non-biodegradable materials do not end up in our environment and instead become a variety of post-consumer products."
 
Once disposed of, contact lens, eyecare and lens care materials don't typically end up getting processed in standard recycling facilities due to their small size and the type of plastic used to manufacture them. As a result, they can end up in landfills or waterways, contributing to plastic pollution, the company said.
 
"The Bausch + Lomb ONE by ONE and Biotrue Eye Care recycling programs are two prominent programs my practice uses daily to help ensure we are being as sustainable as possible," said Gina Wesley, OD, Complete Eye Care, Medina, Minn. "My patients are also pleased to hear about these programs during their appointments so they, too, can help minimize the waste these materials generate."
 
In addition to the U.S., Bausch + Lomb has a similar contact lens recycling program in Canada called Every Contact Counts.