A group of Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA) members have offered to volunteer at the Lions Recycle for Sight headquarters in Brisbane on an ongoing basis after witnessing the backlog of donations that require processing.
ODA CEO Ms April Petrusma and communications manager Ms Lou Thomas accompanied a group of ODA members to meet Lions Recycle for Sight chairman Mr Ken Leonard and secretary Ms Nicolee Brown at the Lions Club of Redcliffe Kippa-Ring facility in November.
Lions Recycle for Sight Australia began collecting used spectacles in the early 1990s and has since delivered more than seven million pair of refurbished quality spectacles to men, women and children in need throughout Australia, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia, The Far East, China, The Pacific Rim and Oceania.
Headquartered in a leased scout hall in Brisbane, the program distributes regraded, or refurbished, spectacles to Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs and other humanitarian organisations for distribution to people in need, with no expense or obligation for the recipient.
“The location has ample space, with many of the spare rooms occupied from floor to ceiling with boxes full of donated specs ready and waiting for processing,” Petrusma said.
“The Lions Recycle for Sight organisation is run by volunteers but also provides work and a purpose to inmates in local correctional facilities and individuals that are supported by government financial assistance.”
Lions Recycle for Sight said volunteer numbers drastically reduced over the past two years due to COVID, while donations have continued, making it difficult to keep up.
“ODA was able to witness first-hand the incredible contribution the volunteers make which was evident in the towering boxes that were packed and ready for shipment for a humanitarian mission in Sri Lanka,” Petrusma said.
Every pair of donated spectacles is cleaned, inspected, verted, sorted, labelled and distributed. Of the specs that can’t be used, the metal is salvaged and scrapped with the funds earned put back into the centre. Any plastic frames and lenses that can’t be recycled are discarded.
“After learning about the processes, the ODA volunteers spent their day cleaning glasses, using the auto lensometer to record lens powers and sorting specs into boxes ready for shipment,” Petrusma said.
“The program is currently only able to make use of sphere powered, single vision lenses with no more than an 0.25 dioptre difference between the two eyes and mounted in an undamaged frame. This means that cyl powered lenses, multi-focals, progressives, sunglasses and any pair that has a damaged frame or scratched lens is discarded.”
Petrusma said the experience highlighted that while the optical industry is already doing a brilliant job at encouraging donations and taking collections, more can be done to make it easier for organisations like Lions Recycle for Sight.
“If we appropriately educate our teams on what can and can not be repurposed, we will be doing our part in streamlining the process. The message to take home is don’t stop donating but be more mindful of what you are sending. Every pair of glasses is cleaned and inspected regardless, so the less waste being received, the better,” she said.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact ODA. Questions can be forwarded to info@odamembers.com.au.
Tips on donating
- The program currently only redistributes sphere powered, single vision lenses. Unfortunately, there is no use for cyls, multi-focals and progressives.
- Frames must be in good working order with all parts. Damaged frames are of no use.
- The specs must be a complete pair ready to wear. Lenses only or frames only will be discarded or recycled even if they are brand new.
- Lenses must be free from scratches or imperfections.
- If not suitable for refurbishment, metal frames are still able to be broken down and recycled.
- Keep the cases or donate them to your local op shop as they are too large to ship internationally and can’t be distributed.
- You can send in unopened, in-date contact lenses too.
- If you don’t have a local Lions Club representative that collects from you, you can ship the donations yourself FREE of charge:
Reply Paid 3021
Lions Recycle for Sight
PO Box 3021
CLONTARF MDC 4019
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