Sustainability

When you think about going green, your local Optometrist might not be the first thing that comes to mind, but sustainability is becoming a more important part of how eye care is delivered. More and more optometry practices are embracing the idea of eco-friendly choices, and as a customer, you can play a role in supporting that vision-excuse the pun! An easy way to make an eco-friendly choice is with your eyewear. We collect old glasses for our local Lions Club, who send them off to the Pacific Islands to be re purposed. So if you were thinking of tossing out your old specs, you can side-step landfill and donate them to someone who desperately needs them. It’s a win-win! Another waste culprit in the optics world is contact lenses. Did you know that contact lenses and their packaging can be recycled? Instead of tossing them in the bin, stash up your used lenses and packets, and bring them into us for recycling. This stops landfill copping it yet again, and helps keep micro-plastics out of the water supply-yes, unfortunately people do flush their used lenses....such a no no! Another way we try to reduce waste here at Blur Eyecare is by sending any required correspondence via email or text. Digital reminders, emailed receipts, reports and referrals, all cut down on unnecessary printing and paperwork. Your Optometrist may also be making eco-conscious choices behind the scenes. A major source of waste in optometry is disposable diagnostic materials. Though some are necessary for hygiene and patient safety, others can be replaced with reusable alternatives. For example, using rechargeable batteries in diagnostic tools, digital charts instead of paper, and washable lens cloths can significantly reduce waste over time. Every little bit counts. You can support sustainable eye care by choosing to refill your lens cleaning sprays in-store, bringing your old glasses in for donation or reuse, and recycling contact lens waste. By supporting practices that prioritize sustainability, you’re helping to keep NZ clean and green, just the way we like it! If you have any questions about how you can help us maintain our sustainability mission, call us on 07 5781513 or pop into any of the FOUR Blur Eyecare stores and speak to one our friendly team members.