What to Do with Old Glasses: Recycle Old Glasses

Published on June 4th, 2026

Some practical and useful options to get rid of old glasses include donating them to charity, dropping them off at an eyewear store for recycling, or giving them to a loved one in need of new glasses. These are better, more environmentally friendly ways to get rid of old frames, as opposed to throwing them away. Oscar Wylee is not affiliated with any of the charities or initiatives listed in this article. Read on to discover more about how to recycle and give new life to old glasses.

What Can You Do with Your Old Glasses?

You can do various things with your old glasses, such as donating them or fitting the frames with new lenses. Donating your old glasses is a great way to give back to those who are in need of eyewear but do not have access. Initiatives such as the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre (CLERC), headquartered in Calgary, have donated over 6.3 million pairs of glasses in 103 countries. It should be noted that Oscar Wylee is not associated with the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre. Alternatively, glasses can be reglazed with new lenses for those who require a prescription update and want a spare pair of glasses to have in their collection. Glasses can also be a great gift idea for a loved one, and they themselves can get the frames refitted with their own prescription, providing the old glasses with a new life.

Where Can You Donate Old Glasses in Canada?

You can donate old glasses in Canada at most major optical retailers. Most of these stores partner with the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre (CLERC), which cleans, sorts, and distributes old frames. You can contact your local optometrist or search online for the nearest store that receives donations. If you do not have a retail store nearby, you can mail your glasses directly to a CLERC facility. Check their collection locations directory on their website to find your closest facility. Please note that Oscar Wylee does not partner with CLERC.

How Do You Donate Prescription Glasses to Those in Need?

To donate prescription glasses to those in need, you have to make sure your eyewear is in good condition and then search for a place that can accept the donation. Ensure your eyewear does not have any broken parts and that the lenses are cleaned well with lens cleaner and a microfibre cloth. Keep your prescription glasses in their case prior to donating so they will be protected from scratches and other wear and tear.

A photo of numerous glasses in a cluster.

Can You Recycle Old Glasses or Spectacles?

Yes, you can recycle old glasses or spectacles by bringing them to programs such as CLERC. Programs like CLERC that collect old glasses will send received frames that are suitable for recycling to a recycling facility, where they will quickly assess the glasses to see if they can be refurbished. It is important to note that glasses cannot be recycled if they are broken or scratched.

How are Recycled Glasses Collected and Reused?

Recycled glasses and the ways they are collected and reused can differ slightly from each organization. Most of the time, used glasses are collected through local drop-off boxes at optometrist offices, community centers, and retail stores. Volunteers then sanitize the glasses and measure the prescription. Usable glasses are donated to those in need, and damaged glasses are disassembled so the materials can be recycled and reused, according to Lions Club International.

Where Can You Take Old Glasses for Recycling or Donation?

You can take old glasses for recycling or donation to many local optical retailers, community centers, or mail them to charity programs. Direct donation and mail-in programs include the Lions Club's 'Recycle For Sight' boxes at local libraries, eye care professionals, or community centers.

Can You Reuse Old Glasses Frames for New Lenses?

Yes, you can reuse old glasses frames for new lenses. This allows the old glasses to be reused and adapted to your current vision needs. This is done through a process called reglazing, which is the process of removing old lenses from your glasses and replacing them with new lenses. At Oscar Wylee, we allow customers to reglaze the lenses on their Oscar Wylee glasses at a base cost of $89, not including any additional lens add-ons they may want. Conditions may apply.

How Should You Dispose of Damaged or Broken Glasses?

Disposing of damaged or broken glasses may differ depending on the severity of the damage. You can check with your optometrist to assess whether your metal or acetate frames can still be repaired for use or not. If they can no longer be repaired, rather than throwing them in the trash, consider recycling them at participating retailers or local eye doctors. Many of these retailers partner with Lions Club International, or you can mail them to specialty services like TerraCycle. Oscar Wylee is not affiliated with TerraCycle.

What Happens to Donated Glasses After Collection?

What happens to donated glasses after collection will depend on which organization they are donated to. For example, the Lions Club volunteers will clean and measure the glasses' prescription before packaging them for global missions or for those in need, according to Lions Club International. Broken frames are responsibly recycled.

A photo of someone holding a pair of glasses.

Why Is Donating or Recycling Old Glasses Important?

Donating or recycling old glasses is important as it ensures old glasses do not go to waste and into landfill. Donating old glasses offers eyewear a new life to someone in need of glasses, as the lenses can be reglazed to fit the new wearer's prescription glasses. Proper recycling is important for old glasses as it allows the frames to be repurposed instead of being placed into a landfill.

Can You Send Old Glasses by Mail for Donation?

Yes, certain organizations allow people to send old glasses by mail. It is important to check the guidelines of the organization you are donating to to confirm whether you can mail your glasses as opposed to dropping them off at a physical location. Lions Clubs International's Recycle for Sight program sends glasses to developing countries and accepts eyewear donations via mail, where donations are expected to be wrapped in bubble wrap or a padded bag, according to CLERC.

What are The Best Ways to Repurpose Old Glasses at Home?

Some of the best ways to repurpose old glasses at home are to have the frames reglazed to fit another family member's prescription or use them as a dress-up accessory. If you do not want your old glasses or do not have a need for them anymore, then giving them to a family member at home is a good way to give the frames a second life. The lenses can be reglazed to accommodate their prescription, or even be fitted with non-prescription blue light filter lenses if they want glasses for multiple purposes. Alternatively, you can store the old glasses away and use them for a dress-up accessory when there is an event happening, such as a costume party or fancy-dress dinner. Glasses are a key element for many costume ideas, from Harry Potter to Velma from Scooby-Doo, allowing for your old glasses to potentially be an accessory for a future costume.

How Can You Recycle Reading Glasses and Sunglasses Responsibly?

You can recycle reading glasses and sunglasses responsibly the same way you would other eyeglasses. This is best done professionally by donating to organizations such as the Lions Clubs International or your local optometrist accepting glasses donations. These organizations will be able to recycle the reading glasses and sunglasses in a proper process or donate them to those in need.

Does Oscar Wylee Take Old Glasses?

No, Oscar Wylee currently does not take old glasses. There are other retailers and initiatives that accept old glasses to consider. It might be best to contact retailers and stores directly to confirm whether they are able to take your old glasses before visiting.

Read What to Do with Old Glasses: Recycle Old Glasses in other Oscar Wylee regions and their languages.