We Recycle Your Used Eyeglasses
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we are fortunate to have a local facility that enables us to process
good, used eyeglasses
that are then given free of charge to developing countries via volunteer
eye care professionals.
The facility is Northwest Eyeglass Recycling Center (NWLERC)
located in Lacey, WA,
with a satellite office in Gig Harbor
.
Focus NWLERC Newsletters
Where do we get used eyeglasses? Lions Clubs gather used eyeglasses by providing collection boxes where people can donate their no-longer-needed eyeglasses. Donation boxes are located throughout the community at eye care centers, businesses and workplaces of Lions members. In Gig Harbor, those collection boxes are placed around the community so that glasses may be donated at one of the following locations: Pierce County Library Peninsula Eye Clinic Bouge Volunteer Center Olympic Eye Care Elks Lodge Harbor Optical Costco Gig Harbor |
What do we do with the eyeglasses? Volunteer Lions work at NWLERC evaluating, cleaning and cataloging donated eyeglasses. Glasses with broken or missing lenses or parts are discarded or salvaged. Gold and silver frames are recycled and the income is used to help defray the center's operating costs. Lions clean the acceptable eyeglasses and then examine them with a lensometer to determine the prescription. The eyeglasses are then sealed in plastic bags with the prescription noted on each bag. Bagged glasses are packed into boxes according to prescriptions. They are then stored until volunteer humanitarian groups need them. Where do the recycled eyeglasses go? Eyeglasses collected, processed and packaged by NWLERC volunteer Lions are either used by the Center's humanitarian efforts or distributed to other humanitarian groups traveling to developing countries. These groups may include Lions traveling and operating as part of the Lions Sight First Program, Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity (VOSH), World Vision, Eye Health NW, Optometry College Groups, Military Civil Assistance Groups, and numerous church groups. These groups are made up of eye doctors and other volunteers, many of whom are Lions. How can you help the Lions?
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