How can we use the design principles of nature in our profession: repair-reuse-recycle so nothing gets wasted. I want to share the initiatives we started to work more circular in our stores.
Within optics, we use high-quality materials in all our products. For our customers, spectacles also often have an emotional value: they enable them to see well and also determine their appearance. So to throw away glasses at the end of their useful life is a waste. At best, spectacles end up in the drawer as spare glasses, at worst in the residual waste. Sometimes spectacles are collected for charity but only a small proportion actually ends up at a good destination.
At EyeCare, we have therefore started collecting used glasses, frames, spectacle cases, demo lenses and contact lens blisters. These materials are sorted at a leather-working company and then reused in the best way possible. Metal and titanium can be reused, demo glasses and contact lens blisters are made of high-quality plastic and are reused separately, and our acetate frames are made into new products such as displays, clothes hangers, trays, etc.
It's a first start but it creates awareness in our stores within the teams and with our customers.
