Getting a new prescription means getting glasses for most of us. Throwing your old glasses in the bin isn’t an option after you’ve spent good money, so, what exactly are you supposed to do with your old frames? Many of us are guilty of hiding them away, whether that’s at the back of our wardrobe or stuffed in a draw. We apply an out of sight, out of mind perspective.
Whether you have one or a dozen frames stacked up from over the years, we have put together a few suggestions to help you get rid of your old glasses.
1. Give them to charity or your family/friends
Did you know many charities take in old pairs of glasses? Charities kindly hand them on to those in need and pass them on to developing countries who may have limited access to eye care support. Generally, you can either drop them off to your local charity shop or even post it to them. If you aren’t sure, why not give the charity a call or stop by their local shop to ask for more information.
Alternatively, ask your family or friends who might share the same prescription. Their prescription will need to match precisely, as a slight difference can have an impact on their eyes. Otherwise, if they would just like new frames to fit their lenses in, make sure to pop the lenses out before handing them over.
2. Recycle
You can recycle your unwanted glasses. Before recycling, it is recommended the lenses of the frames are taken out first. Then, once you’re at the recycling centre, you will need to put the lenses and plastic or metal frames into the appropriate recycling bin.
3. Put new lenses in
If your prescription has changed, but you would like to keep your favourite frames, reglazing is the perfect answer. Reglazing is a simple process of replacing the lenses in your current frames. This is an excellent option for those with old or damaged lenses, even if you want to upgrade to a better quality lens design. This typically works out cheaper as you avoid the cost of buying a new pair of frames.
4. Sell them
Selling your glasses online is a great idea to earn some money to make up for buying your initial pair of frames or going towards your new pair. If you have a designer frame they tend to sell for more, just make sure they are in good condition and suitable to sell online. Most popular sites to sell unwanted glasses on include eBay and Depop.
5. Keep them for fancy dress
If you’re a party goer and want to save your old glasses for Halloween, why not store them away in your fancy dress draw? They might just come in handy when you want to pull off a spectacle style.
