Eyeglass Recycling Procedures for Missouri Lions

Thanks to the Missouri Lions, thousands of eyeglasses have been collected to be distributed worldwide by eye care professionals and volunteers on mission trips. For many individuals in third world countries, something a simple as a pair of these donated glasses helps them escape a world of debilitating poverty.

The Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation would to take our Eyeglass Recycling Program one step further by providing mission groups with exactly what they need, when they need them – and we could use your help!

Starting at the end of 2010, we are 1) asking Lions clubs to do some preliminary sorting before sending the eyeglasses to MLERF, and 2) performing the extra steps of cleaning, measuring and categorizing eyeglasses by prescription strength before we distribute them to mission groups.

How can your club be of service?

  • Collect used eyeglasses, just as you always have. NOTE: Walmart and Lions Club International (LCI) now have an agreement in which used eyeglasses from Walmart Super Centers will go directly to one of the eight LCI-sponsored eyeglass recycling centers. Eyeglasses from other businesses can go directly to MLERF. In addition, hearing aids may be sent along with glasses - the Foundation will get those to the MD-2 Hearing Committee.
  • If possible, please perform the following:
    • Remove all eyeglasses from their cases and discard the cases.
    • Please discard all isolated glass or plastic lenses (in other words, lenses without frames) as these cannot be recycled. Frames without lenses can be recycled and should be kept.
    • Sort glasses into four classes: 1) unbroken children's glasses; 2) unbroken "readers" (those we might buy at the drug store); 3) unbroken sunglasses (clip-ons, prescription and nonprescription); 4) all other glasses and frames, both broken and unbroken, including metal.
  • Divide glasses into separate boxes on in separate bags within one box. You'll find you've decreased the volume and weight for storing and shipping by almost half! Glasses can be sent to the Foundation at 404 Portland St., Columbia, MO 65201 or dropped off at your nearest Heartland Lions Eye Banks branch location. Once the Foundation receives your glasses, we will begin cleaning and categorizing your donations using our new Reichert AL500 lensometer.

Thank you again for your hard work in giving the visually impaired in third world countries a new outlook on life. We appreciate your help and your continued support of our Eyeglass Recycling Program. For more information, please talk with the Sight Committee representative in your district or contact the Foundation at 573-443-1471.