CooperVision has made the first net plastic neutral contact lenses in Canada.
What does this mean?
Plastic footprint neutrality is achieved by purchasing Plastic Bank (1) credits. One credit is equivalent to collecting and converting one kilogram of plastic that would have otherwise ended up in a waterway. CooperVision purchases the number of credits equal to the weight of plastic in its Clariti® 1-day contact lens orders. The plastic recovered from Clariti® 1-day is determined by the weight of plastic in the packaging of the blister packs, the lenses, secondary packaging (including laminates, adhesives and ancillary additions such as ink. This action makes Clariti® 1-day the first plastic neutral contact lenses in Canada.
How is plastic neutrality calculated?
To determine the weight of plastic contained in a Clariti® 1-day package, CooperVision examined all plastic that leaves their manufacturing and operating facilities and is destined for end use by the lens wearer, based on sales and distribution in Canada.
Sustainability efforts will not stop at plastic neutrality
Plastic neutrality is not an endpoint; it is the next step in CooperVision's journey to continue making a difference for the planet. CooperVision will continue to seek advice and input from scientists and researchers to make a positive impact on the importance of sustainability.
(1) What is Plastic Bank®?
The Plastic Bank® is a social enterprise that creates ethical recycling ecosystems in coastal communities that reprocess materials for reintroduction into the global supply chain. Collectors are paid a premium for the materials they collect, which helps them meet their family's basic needs such as groceries, cooking fuel, school fees and health insurance.
