Daily contact lenses - eco disaster and other forgotten things …

[Lightisnotwhite]

I wear hard, gas permeable lenses. They last for years or until I lose one or decide I can’t see properly. Opticians are always trying to flog me daily ones.These are disposable ones that come in little plastic tubs. So that’s 2 a day plus the lenses being chucked out.

The traditional Poppies have plastic stalks and middies. Goodness knows how many we get through. I support the cause with cash but use a knitted one.

So many little things need updating to be eco friendly.

I wear daily disposable contact lenses provided by Boots Opticians - they have an in-store recycling scheme for used lenses and the plastic packaging.

I wear dailies. I am far too clumsy to wear monthly lenses but would love a more eco friendly option.

I switched to dailies from gas permeable and I wouldn’t ever switch back. Infinitely more comfortable and no longer crying every time a bit of dust comes near.

@HotMess21

I wear daily disposable contact lenses provided by Boots Opticians - they have an in-store recycling scheme for used lenses and the plastic packaging.

Thanks for this, I didn't know you could recycle them

I recycle mine at boots too. They take any brand.

Yep, lots of places recycle contact lenses, they will also take the plastic container and the foil cover!

I think gas ones don't work if you have sensitive/ dry eyes so that may be a factor as well.

If you have a regular contact lens case and saline to store them in you can in fact wear daily disposables twice. Opticians say you can't but as long as you have clean hands and keep the lenses submerged they work fine.

I put the packaging in the blue bin (foil and plastic both acceptable) but I didn't know Boots recycled the lenses. Is it ok if they are all dried up?

Sorry op no way can I go back to GPs. My eyes used to hurt all the time and I was constantly losing them. Also my optician was horrified that I was still wearing them. I used monthlies for a while but got an eye infection and had to switch to dailies which are so ace. Will look into the Boots thing tho. I don't buy a poppy if that makes it better?

Yes I recycle dallies and the containers. I dont wear them everyday though.

Poppies I have some lapel pin ones, and just put some money on the pot.

Biro style pen lids are a waste of plastic to name something else.

Yes not very eco friendly and one reason im trying to wear glasses more, but i dont think reusable ones are good for the eyes. Ive worn contacts for 30 years and ive lost count of the issues i used to always have with cleaning and storing and neutralising. Even got an eye ulcer at one point which was just traumatic.
You have to be so careful with contact lenses. Id advise glasses over washable lenses

Yes, also the outside of biros! I bought a new box of 20 pens today; the bloody outsides and lids will outlast me! Why can't we just buy replacement biro insides?

DH tells me you can recycle the outside plastic bits of pens. I think at a local recycling place....we are now saving them up.

Not everyone can wear hard lenses, don't be so judgemental

It's like when people insist everyone should use a mooncup because tampons are evil, it's just not possible for everyone

Yes, I collect my pens for recycling, but they're only made into plastic benches and tables. It would be much better to not have to recycle them.

I didn't click with my mooncup at all. I'm never using it again.

You can recycle any pens at Ryman

... an other forgotten thing
I overheard someone complaining about a beauty advent calendar to the shop assistant. As it's wrapped in plastic and unnecessary pollution! But then asked if they could have a 20p plastic carrier bag, to carry the plastic items they bought. Hypocrite! I think plastic bags should cost a lot more and cotton / hessian bags should be more widely available!

You can recycle printer cartridges at Ryman too

@dreamingbohemian

Not everyone can wear hard lenses, don't be so judgemental

It's like when people insist everyone should use a mooncup because tampons are evil, it's just not possible for everyone

FFS It’s a thread about the waste and plastic in small things not whether you can wear contact lenses or not. Plus I’m not wearing GP ones because I’m judgemental ; I’m cheap. They cost £150 and last years as opposed to £200 every year.

Agree with biros.

I use monthly contact lenses.

I wear a poppy pin and one in zip pull which get reused. We will donate too.

I use a luna cup and period pants.

Never buy carrier bags, or its very rare.

Don't drive, walk or bus everywhere. The last time I was on a plane was 14 years ago!

Buy secondhand, reuse, repair and pass on anything we can.

However can't cook rice for shit so use boil in the bag. And I love glitter at Christmas. In the grand scheme of things I think I do more good than not 😁

@NomDePrune

If you have a regular contact lens case and saline to store them in you can in fact wear daily disposables twice. Opticians say you can't but as long as you have clean hands and keep the lenses submerged they work fine.

Please don’t do that. You are just asking to get an infection and is it really with risking blindness?

I wore hard lenses for a while about 20 years ago.

I have never forgotten the agony if a spec of dust got into my eye.

I have worn daily disposables ever since and that's a whole load of plastic waste. But my husband has offset it by having Lasik.

This is why I wear glasses.

Harder to lose, cheaper than either type of CL, and last until my prescription changes. And recyclable.

@nocutsnobuttsnococonuts get yourself a rice cooker, batch cook rice and freeze in reusable tubs. If you own a pressure cooker they cook rice well too