Sustainability is at the heart of today's concerns, and many companies are taking significant steps to minimize their environmental impact. CooperVision, one of the world's leading contact lens manufacturers, is actively committed to this goal with its Plastic Neutrality Program, an initiative aimed at offsetting the plastic footprint of its products.
What is plastic neutrality?
Plastic neutrality means that a company offsets the amount of plastic it puts on the market by contributing to the collection and recycling of an equivalent amount of used plastic. For CooperVision, this means a commitment to recover as much plastic as is used to manufacture its contact lenses and packaging. This “neutral plastic” concept helps reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste, which is particularly problematic for oceans and ecosystems.
A concrete initiative with a global impact
To achieve this goal of plastic neutrality, CooperVision has partnered with Plastic Bank, a social organization that fights plastic pollution while helping local communities with difficulties. Plastic Bank sets up waste collection centers in areas at high risk of plastic pollution, particularly in developing countries where access to recycling is limited. The plastic waste collected is then recycled and reused in industry, creating a circular economy while improving the living conditions of the collectors.
CooperVision funds these plastic collection activities through the program, ensuring that for every kilogram of plastic used in its contact lenses, one kilogram of plastic is recovered from vulnerable environments, preventing it from ending up in the oceans.
Social and environmental benefits
CooperVision's Plastic Neutrality Program has a positive social impact. In addition to helping to reduce plastic pollution, the program also benefits local communities. Thanks to its participation, plastic collectors, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, benefit from a stable income. This encourages local economic development while combating the exploitation of natural resources.
A further step towards sustainability
Contact lenses, like other single-use products, contribute to the production of plastic waste. With this program, CooperVision demonstrates that combining visual comfort with environmental awareness is possible. By choosing CooperVision contact lenses, wearers make a gesture for the planet, knowing their choice contributes to reducing the plastic footprint.
How can Optometrists and patients get involved?
Eye care professionals and their patients can support the Plastic Neutrality Program by choosing CooperVision products and participating in local recycling initiatives for contact lenses. It's essential to remember that lenses should not be flushed down the toilet or sink but rather disposed of in the appropriate garbage cans or dedicated collection points.
This program shows that the eye care industry can adopt sustainable practices and inspire other companies to follow suit.
