How we recycle prescription glasses and sunglasses

Did you know that your old reading glasses, safety glasses, and sunglasses can find new life through recycling? We are adding new waste streams to BRAD so that recycling your old reading glasses, sunglasses and safety glasses is now easier and more impactful than ever before. In this article, we'll delve into how the BRAD program, is transforming the way we recycle eyewear. From the meticulous sorting process to the creation of new sustainable products, let's explore how your old glasses can make a difference in creating a more sustainable world.

The BRAD Recycling Process

The journey of recycled glasses begins as you send in your collect of hard to recycle items to BRAD. These are received, weighed and then sorted into the different waste streams. 

Our glasses recycling partner Opticycle then does a preliminary sort. First,  the lenses are manually removed, ensuring that only frames proceed to the next step. These frames are then shredded into fine particles.

Delamination and Separation

The shredded glasses enter a state-of-the-art separation machine, where they are broken down into even finer particles to facilitate delamination. This process effectively separates the various materials present in the glasses, such as plastics and metals. Opticycle employs a proprietary separation process, ensuring the efficient extraction of these materials.

Repurposing for Sustainability

Once separated, the recycled materials are ready for transformation into new products. The lenses mixed with frames are repurposed into benchtop sheets, offering a sustainable alternative for various applications. Excess plastics from the recycling process are utilised in the production of sustainable building materials like bricks, blocks, and eco-aggregates, contributing to eco-friendly construction practices.

Closing the Loop

The BRAD program not only diverts glasses from ending up in landfills but also facilitates the circular economy by reintroducing recycled materials into the manufacturing process. Excess metals recovered during recycling are sent to metal refineries, where they are further processed and reused in various applications. This closed-loop system minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency.

With the BRAD program leading the way, glasses recycling has never been more accessible or impactful. By participating in this initiative, you can ensure that your old eyewear contributes to a more sustainable future. Whether it's reading glasses, safety glasses, or sunglasses, each pair has the potential to be transformed into new, eco-friendly products. 

Accepted by BRAD: 

• Sunglasses
• Reading glasses
• Safety glasses

We do not accept glasses cases or straps.

Purchase a BRAD label today and get collecting!