New recycling partner for J&J

Scheme will recycle all soft contact lenses

Johnson & Johnson has announced a new fulfilment arrangement with MYGroup for its Acuvue Contact Lens Recycling Programme.

The recycling programme is suitable for all brands of soft contact lenses across all UK optical practices, and was previously operated by TerraCycle.

According to Johnson & Johnson data on file (provided by TerraCycle), the scheme has seen more than 18 million used contact lenses, blister packs and foils recycled to date via 1,000 in-practice collection stations across the UK.

The company plans to expand the scheme to more practices in the coming months, and encourage patients to return their used contact lens materials and learn more about sustainable eyecare. Participating practices will receive custom-designed recycling boxes.

Plans are also underway to showcase how collected materials may be repurposed into new products, building on the circular promise of the scheme.

All Acuvue contact lenses are manufactured using 100 per cent renewable electricity, and the company says it saves thousands of tonnes of CO_₂ annually through its renewable and energy efficiency programmes.

Kate Stockwell, head of marketing at Johnson & Johnson, commented: “Our goal is to embed sustainability into every stage of the vision care journey – from how our products are made to how they are disposed of.

“This partnership reflects our long-standing commitment to making it easier for patients and practitioners to make environmentally responsible choices.”