Glasses Recycling Program
The Glasses Recycling Program is a meaningful service project that allows individuals and community groups to make a real difference with a simple, practical action.
Australian Lions Clubs have donated more than 19 million pairs of spectacles, sunglasses, frames, and lenses to people in developing countries. The Recycle for Sight program began in 1998 and is run entirely by volunteers. Each year, volunteers clean, sort, label, and prepare approximately 450,000 pairs of used glasses for redistribution.
This initiative has a life-changing impact. It helps children see the blackboard at school, improving their education, and enables adults to work safely and effectively to support their families.
How the Program Works
Community involvement plays a crucial role in the early stages of the recycling process. Each Lions Club zone has a volunteer who manages the collection of glasses from optometrists etc. Community groups and individuals can help by organising a glasses collection point at accessible local venues, such as schools, community centres, workplaces, libraries, or sporting clubs.
Once collected, the glasses are sent to the Lions Glasses Recycling Centre in Redcliffe, Queensland. There, trained volunteers sort, clean, grade, and label the glasses before they are transported overseas. Local volunteers and medical support teams then distribute them to people in need in developing countries.
Why This Makes a Great Service Project
- It has a clear and meaningful outcome
- It supports global health and education
- It is simple to organise and low cost
- It is suitable for individuals, families, and groups
- It aligns well with youth service, leadership, and community challenge programs
How You Can Get Involved
To run a Glasses Recycling service project:
- Liaise with your local Lions Club to connect with the program co-ordinator and confirm which venues are already being managed
- Choose suitable collection locations that are accessible and visible
- Decorate a collection box so it stands out and include a poster that explains the purpose of the program (downloadable poster available soon)
- Provide details of your organisation with the box so that you can be contacted to empty or remove the box on request
- Keep a list of your boxes and empty them regularly
This project offers a simple way to contribute to a global initiative while engaging with your local community. With minimal effort, your group can help improve vision, education, and quality of life for people around the world.
More information about the Lions Australia Recycle for Sight program
