It makes sense to recycle used eyeglasses. By recycling discarded eyeglasses and making them available to the poor in the third-world countries EYEsee not only helps alleviate world poverty but also makes a significant contribution to the health of our environment. Recycling saves resources, such as energy and water, by employing the least amount of these resources than would otherwise be if the manufacturing of newer products were the only choice to make.

1. Recycling eyeglasses helps extend the functional life of prescription lenses.

2. Recycling eyeglasses helps reduce the build up of discarded plastic and metal frames and optical lenses that take a long time to degrade and take up valuable landfill space.

3. Recycling eyeglasses helps reduce the production of waste such as plastic dust or fine shavings, byproducts in the manufacture of new eyeglasses that can pollute the air.

4. Recycling eyeglasses helps reduce the use of liquid polishing compound consisting of aluminum oxide, water, and polymers that can pollute the water system.

5. Recycling used eyeglasses avoids the release of carbon emissions into the atmosphere which would otherwise result if manufacturing rather than recycling is employed.

6. Recycling eyeglasses is an energy-saving effort. It takes a lot more energy and resources to produce new pairs of eyeglasses than to recycle them.

7. Recycled eyeglasses can help millions experience corrected vision.