CooperVision has announced it is expanding its plastic neutrality initiative, with its full range of contact lenses distributed in Australia and New Zealand now plastic neutral.
The company said the decision to expand the initiative will provide an easy way for eyecare professionals and their patients to be more sustainable in their business and lifestyle.
“The initiative is made possible through a breakthrough global partnership with Plastic Bank, a social enterprise that builds ethical recycling ecosystems in coastal communities,” CooperVision said.
For every box of CooperVision contact lenses distributed in Australia and New Zealand, CooperVision purchases credits that fund the collection and recycling of ocean-bound plastic into the global supply chain, that is equal to the weight of the plastic used in its contact lenses, the blister and the outer carton packaging.
All CooperVision contact lens brands sold and distributed in Australia and New Zealand are included in the plastic neutral initiative, including MyDay, Biofinity, clariti 1 day, MiSight 1 day, Proclear, and cAIR.
There is no enrolment process for eyecare professionals or consumers; anyone who recommends or wears the lenses is participating.
Plastic Bank collectors in the coastal communities receive a premium for the materials they collect, which helps them provide basic family necessities such as groceries, cooking fuel, school fees, and health insurance.
General Manager ANZ, Ms Michelle North, said CooperVision, like many companies, is on a sustainability journey.
“Over the past several years, we have built a strong track record of sustainable manufacturing and operations, focused on areas in which we can make the greatest impact,” she said.
“Plastic plays a critical role in the hygienic delivery and sterile protection of our contact lenses, and the commitment to making all of our contact lenses in Australia and New Zealand plastic neutral provides the opportunity to make even more of a positive impact — for our oceans, and for everyone.”
Research shows that sustainability is a growing priority for consumers, and they care how plastic is managed. In a 2021 survey commissioned by CooperVision, 94% of contact lens wearers agreed that keeping plastic out of the oceans is important to them. The overwhelming majority (99%) of contact lens wearers agree that if their optometrist recommended a plastic neutral daily disposable contact lens, it would have a positive impact on trying that lens.
Through the partnership with Plastic Bank, the program has already made a significant environmental and social impact worldwide. According to CooperVision, in 2022 the program recovered the equivalent of over 100 million plastic bottles from reaching oceans. It said 345 coastal communities have directly benefited from exchanging ocean-bound plastic for necessities such as clean water, groceries, cooking oil, school tuition, and even health insurance.
In 2023, CooperVision has committed to stopping more than 120 million plastic bottles from entering the ocean in collaboration with Plastic Bank. An online dashboard provides a live update of the program’s impact.
More reading
CooperVision further expands parameters for MyDay toric contact lenses
CooperVision celebrates plastic neutrality milestone
CooperVision ANZ plastic neutrality initiative recognised at national awards
