Contact lenses are a medical product that is not biodegradable. It stands out, among others: one-day, two-week and monthly lenses. Replacing them regularly is crucial to maintaining eye health. However, their proper disposal remains a problem – many people throw them into the sewage system, which is a serious mistake.
Due to their small size, sewage treatment plants cannot effectively filter out lenses. As a result, they end up in rivers, seas and oceans. It is estimated that As many as 1.5 tons of contact lenses land in the Baltic Sea alone every year! These are alarming data that show how important it is to raise awareness of .
Correct segregation of waste related to contact lenses is not complicated. Just follow a few simple rules to significantly reduce their impact on the environment. Where to dispose of lenses, their packaging and care accessories?
Cardboard boxeswhich contain blisters with lenses, should be disposed of in the blue paper bin.
Plastic blistersin which the lenses are factory stored, should be placed in the yellow container. If has a metal lid (usually aluminum), it should be separated from the plastic part and also thrown into the yellow container.
Worn or damaged contact lenses they are not biodegradable and not recyclable, but still should go into the yellow plastic bin. The lenses disintegrate into plastic particles, resulting in the so-called microplastics. Under no circumstances should they be disposed of down the drain or mixed waste.
- Lens care fluids
Fluid residues (e.g. cleaning solutions or physiological saline) can be poured down the toilet or sink, because they are completely safe for the environment.
- Containers and bottles for liquids
Plastic containers for storing lenses and empty liquid bottles too should be disposed of in the yellow container.
Segregating waste such as contact lenses is not only a duty, but also a way to protect our planet. Appropriate segregation allows for waste processing, limiting their impact on the environment and reducing the amount of waste ending up in aquatic ecosystems. Thanks to simple steps, we can take care not only of our health, but also of the future of the natural environment.
