As soon as you’re finished using and enjoying your contact lenses, you may be asking what’s next when it comes to lens disposal. We are all trying to do our bit for the environment and as such, here are the best eco-friendly recommendations on how to go green with disposing of colored contacts.
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How to Recycle & Dispose Of Your Coloured Contact Lenses
May 9, 2017 12:05
Coloured Contacts
Featured Images
Sapphire Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Sapphire Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Elven Blue | @ceci__beauty
Elven Blue | @ceci__beauty
Nymph Purple | @hanjaybear
Nymph Purple | @hanjaybear
Nymph Purple | @lifeispeachy1986
Nymph Purple | @lifeispeachy1986
Elven Blue | @lifeispeachy1986
Elven Blue | @lifeispeachy1986
Siren Green | @lifeispeachy1986
Siren Green | @lifeispeachy1986
Pixie Pink | @lifeispeachy1986
Pixie Pink | @lifeispeachy1986
Freshlook Gemstone Green | @carlaa.quinn
Freshlook Gemstone Green | @carlaa.quinn
Pixie Pink | @ceci__beauty
Pixie Pink | @ceci__beauty
Siren Green | @ceci__beauty
Siren Green | @ceci__beauty
Freshlook Gemstone Green | @carlaa.quinn
Freshlook Gemstone Green | @carlaa.quinn
Pixie Pink | @nicolleslooks
Pixie Pink | @nicolleslooks
Pixie Pink | @rimgaile.ma
Pixie Pink | @rimgaile.ma
Freshlook Gemstone Green | @carlaa.quinn
Freshlook Gemstone Green | @carlaa.quinn
Elven Blue | @riannashah.mua_
Elven Blue | @riannashah.mua_
Elven Blue | @margaridamonteiro.mua
Elven Blue | @margaridamonteiro.mua
Elven Blue | @margaridamonteiro.mua
Elven Blue | @margaridamonteiro.mua
Siren Green | @brizeyvs
Siren Green | @brizeyvs
Pixie Pink | @brizeyvs
Pixie Pink | @brizeyvs
Elven Blue | @brizeyvs
Elven Blue | @brizeyvs
Nymph Purple | @brizeyvs
Nymph Purple | @brizeyvs
Sky Blue | @ceci_beauty
Sky Blue | @ceci_beauty
Siren Green | @nicolleslooks
Siren Green | @nicolleslooks
Siren Green | @nicolleslooks
Siren Green | @nicolleslooks
Siren Green | @rimgaile.ma
Siren Green | @rimgaile.ma
Green Circle (Capricorn) | @makeupmadhouse
Green Circle (Capricorn) | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Elven Blue | @rimgaile.ma
Elven Blue | @rimgaile.ma
Freshlook Gemstone Green (Saggitarius) | @makeupmadhouse
Freshlook Gemstone Green (Saggitarius) | @makeupmadhouse
Freshlook Gemstone Green (Saggitarius) | @makeupmadhouse
Freshlook Gemstone Green (Saggitarius) | @makeupmadhouse
Freshlook Gemstone Green | @makeupmadhouse
Freshlook Gemstone Green | @makeupmadhouse
Blue Sapphire | @jasmine_tosh
Blue Sapphire | @jasmine_tosh
Elven Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Elven Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Nymph Purple | @makeupmadhouse
Nymph Purple | @makeupmadhouse
Siren Green | @makeupmadhouse
Siren Green | @makeupmadhouse
Pixie Pink | @makeupmadhouse
Pixie Pink | @makeupmadhouse
Siren Green | @makeupmadhouse
Siren Green | @makeupmadhouse
Siren Green | @makeupmadhouse
Siren Green | @makeupmadhouse
Pixie Pink | @makeupmadhouse
Pixie Pink | @makeupmadhouse
Pixie Pink | @makeupmadhouse
Pixie Pink | @makeupmadhouse
Nymph Purple | @makeupmadhouse
Nymph Purple | @makeupmadhouse
Nymph Purple | @makeupmadhouse
Nymph Purple | @makeupmadhouse
Elven Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Elven Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Elven Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Elven Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Soft Grey Tri Tone (Scorpio) | @makeupmadhouse
Soft Grey Tri Tone (Scorpio) | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Soft Grey Tri Tone (Scorpio) | @makeupmadhouse
Soft Grey Tri Tone (Scorpio) | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Eyes Of Harmony | @ceci_beauty
Eyes Of Harmony | @ceci_beauty
Eyes Of Harmony | @makeupmadhouse
Eyes Of Harmony | @makeupmadhouse
Eyes Of Harmony (Virgo) | @makeupmadhouse
Eyes Of Harmony (Virgo) | @makeupmadhouse
Eyes Of Harmony | @makeupmadhouse
Eyes Of Harmony | @makeupmadhouse
Eyes Of Harmony | @makeupmadhouse
Eyes Of Harmony | @makeupmadhouse
Mystic Hazel (Leo) | @makeupmadhouse
Mystic Hazel (Leo) | @makeupmadhouse
Cold As Ice | @ceci_beauty
Cold As Ice | @ceci_beauty
Sapphire Blue | @thejoystique
Sapphire Blue | @thejoystique
Honey Glaze | @nicolleslooks
Honey Glaze | @nicolleslooks
Honey Glaze | @nicolleslooks
Honey Glaze | @nicolleslooks
Mist Grey | @_giovanna_clemente_
Mist Grey | @_giovanna_clemente_
Mist Grey | @_giovanna_clemente_
Mist Grey | @_giovanna_clemente_
Sky Blue | @lexgetglvm
Sky Blue | @lexgetglvm
Sterling Grey (Gemini) | @makeupmadhouse
Sterling Grey (Gemini) | @makeupmadhouse
Honey (Gemini) | @makeupmadhouse
Honey (Gemini) | @makeupmadhouse
Green Eyes Of Harmony | @ceci_beauty
Green Eyes Of Harmony | @ceci_beauty
Pearl Grey | @ceci_beauty
Pearl Grey | @ceci_beauty
Mist Grey | @patriciasanru.4
Mist Grey | @patriciasanru.4
Leaf Green | @lifeispeachy1986
Leaf Green | @lifeispeachy1986
Jade Green | @lifeispeachy1986
Jade Green | @lifeispeachy1986
Mist Grey | @lifeispeachy1986
Mist Grey | @lifeispeachy1986
Above The Clouds (The Black Queen) | @theloveoflou
Above The Clouds (The Black Queen) | @theloveoflou
Morning Coffee | @nicolleslooks
Morning Coffee | @nicolleslooks
Pearl Grey | @fashionwith_elise
Pearl Grey | @fashionwith_elise
Pearl Grey | @fashionwith_elise
Pearl Grey | @fashionwith_elise
Green Circle | @nicolleslooks
Green Circle | @nicolleslooks
Products Used
Green Circle | @nicolleslooks
Green Circle | @nicolleslooks
Products Used
Enhance Tint Blue | @en_angie
Enhance Tint Blue | @en_angie
Products Used
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone (Aries) | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone (Aries) | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone (Aries) | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone (Aries) | @makeupmadhouse
Sky Blue | @lexgetglvm
Sky Blue | @lexgetglvm
Mist Grey | @lexgetglvm
Mist Grey | @lexgetglvm
Mist Grey | @lexgetglvm
Mist Grey | @lexgetglvm
Sky Blue | @lexgetglvm
Sky Blue | @lexgetglvm
Leaf Green | @molly.medici
Leaf Green | @molly.medici
Leaf Green | @molly.medici
Leaf Green | @molly.medici
Sky Blue | @malrie
Sky Blue | @malrie
Pearl Grey | @malrie
Pearl Grey | @malrie
Sapphire Blue | @malrie
Sapphire Blue | @malrie
Leaf Green | @malrie
Leaf Green | @malrie
Mist Grey | @malrie
Mist Grey | @malrie
Jade Green | @malrie
Jade Green | @malrie
Sky Blue | @nicolleslooks
Sky Blue | @nicolleslooks
Sapphire Blue | @nicolleslooks
Sapphire Blue | @nicolleslooks
Pearl Grey | @nicolleslooks
Pearl Grey | @nicolleslooks
Mist Grey | @nicolleslooks
Mist Grey | @nicolleslooks
Leaf Green | @nicolleslooks
Leaf Green | @nicolleslooks
Jade Green | @nicolleslooks
Jade Green | @nicolleslooks
Enhance Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Enhance Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Green Envy | @makeupmadhouse
Platinum Grey | @makeupmadhouse
Platinum Grey | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Enhance Tint Blue | @en_angie
Enhance Tint Blue | @en_angie
Products Used
Leaf Green | @thejostique
Leaf Green | @thejostique
Pearl Grey | @nicole_sfx_artist
Pearl Grey | @nicole_sfx_artist
Sapphire Blue | @brizeyvs
Sapphire Blue | @brizeyvs
Sky Blue | @brizeyvs
Sky Blue | @brizeyvs
Sapphire Blue | @brizeyvs
Sapphire Blue | @brizeyvs
Pearl Grey | @brizeyvs
Pearl Grey | @brizeyvs
Mist Grey | @brizeyvs
Mist Grey | @brizeyvs
Mist Grey | @brizeyvs
Mist Grey | @brizeyvs
Leaf Green | @brizeyvs
Leaf Green | @brizeyvs
Jade Green | @brizeyvs
Jade Green | @brizeyvs
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Blue Two Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Blue Two Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Emerald Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Emerald Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Sky Blue Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Sky Blue Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Jade Green | @ladyparadoxx
Jade Green | @ladyparadoxx
Sky Blue | @ladyparadoxx
Sky Blue | @ladyparadoxx
Pearl Grey | @ladyparadoxx
Pearl Grey | @ladyparadoxx
Sapphire Blue | @ladyparadoxx
Sapphire Blue | @ladyparadoxx
Mist Grey | @ladyparadoxx
Mist Grey | @ladyparadoxx
Leaf Green | @ladyparadoxx
Leaf Green | @ladyparadoxx
Pearl Grey | @deelicious_deelicious
Pearl Grey | @deelicious_deelicious
Sapphire Blue | @jordiecmakeup
Sapphire Blue | @jordiecmakeup
Leaf Green | @makeupmadhouse
Leaf Green | @makeupmadhouse
Pearl Grey | @makeupmadhouse
Pearl Grey | @makeupmadhouse
Sapphire Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Sapphire Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Jade Green | @makeupmadhouse
Jade Green | @makeupmadhouse
Sky Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Sky Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Mist Grey | @makeupmadhouse
Mist Grey | @makeupmadhouse
Pearl Grey | @jordiecmakeup
Pearl Grey | @jordiecmakeup
Jade Green | @jordiecmakeup
Jade Green | @jordiecmakeup
Pearl Grey | @nicole_sfx_artist
Pearl Grey | @nicole_sfx_artist
Pearl Grey | @lyric_sherade
Pearl Grey | @lyric_sherade
Pearl Grey | @lyric_sherade
Pearl Grey | @lyric_sherade
Pearl Grey | @nicolleslooks
Pearl Grey | @nicolleslooks
Pearl Grey | @nicolleslooks
Pearl Grey | @nicolleslooks
Sky Blue | @nicolleslooks
Sky Blue | @nicolleslooks
Sky Blue | @nicolleslooks
Sky Blue | @nicolleslooks
Sapphire Blue | @nicolleslooks
Sapphire Blue | @nicolleslooks
Sapphire Blue | @nicolleslooks
Sapphire Blue | @nicolleslooks
Leaf Green | @nicolleslooks
Leaf Green | @nicolleslooks
Jade Green | @nicolleslooks
Jade Green | @nicolleslooks
Jade Green | @nicolleslooks
Jade Green | @nicolleslooks
Jade Green | @brittanykolbasocial
Jade Green | @brittanykolbasocial
Mist Grey | @keishasmakeup_
Mist Grey | @keishasmakeup_
Pearl Grey | @ashleyjo_xo
Pearl Grey | @ashleyjo_xo
Sapphire Blue | @ashleyjo_xo
Sapphire Blue | @ashleyjo_xo
Sapphire Blue | @ceci__beauty
Sapphire Blue | @ceci__beauty
Mist Grey | @ceci__beauty
Mist Grey | @ceci__beauty
Sky Blue | @nicolleslooks
Sky Blue | @nicolleslooks
Leaf Green | @nicolleslooks
Leaf Green | @nicolleslooks
Mist Grey | @nicolleslooks
Mist Grey | @nicolleslooks
Jade Green | @nicolleslooks
Jade Green | @nicolleslooks
Sky Blue | @nicolleslooks
Sky Blue | @nicolleslooks
Black Circle | @an_angie
Black Circle | @an_angie
Products Used
Aqua Enhance Tint | @en_angie
Aqua Enhance Tint | @en_angie
Products Used
Storm Cloud Grey | @makeupart_byjulie
Storm Cloud Grey | @makeupart_byjulie
Products Used
Brown One Tone | @en_angie
Brown One Tone | @en_angie
Products Used
Brown One Tone | @en_angie
Brown One Tone | @en_angie
Products Used
Blue Dusk | @en_angie
Blue Dusk | @en_angie
Products Used
Brown One Tone | @en_angie
Brown One Tone | @en_angie
Products Used
Brown One Tone | @en_angie
Brown One Tone | @en_angie
Products Used
Sky Blue Tri Tone | @en_angie
Sky Blue Tri Tone | @en_angie
Products Used
Orange Twilight Star | @en_angie
Orange Twilight Star | @en_angie
Dark Grey Two Tone | @en_angie
Dark Grey Two Tone | @en_angie
Products Used
Green Tri Tone | @en_angie
Green Tri Tone | @en_angie
Products Used
Sky Blue Two Tone | @en_angie
Sky Blue Two Tone | @en_angie
Products Used
Freshlook Colorblends Brown | @en_angie
Freshlook Colorblends Brown | @en_angie
Enhance Blue Full Tint | @en_angie
Enhance Blue Full Tint | @en_angie
Enhance Blue Full Tint | @en_angie
Enhance Blue Full Tint | @en_angie
Enhance Blue Full Tint | @en_angie
Enhance Blue Full Tint | @en_angie
Enhance Emerald Full Tint | @en_angie
Enhance Emerald Full Tint | @en_angie
Enhance Aqua Full Tint | @en_angie
Enhance Aqua Full Tint | @en_angie
Enhance Blue Full Tint | @en_angie
Enhance Blue Full Tint | @en_angie
Freshlook Colorblends Brown | @en_angie
Freshlook Colorblends Brown | @en_angie
Freshlook Colorblends Brown | @en_angie
Freshlook Colorblends Brown | @en_angie
Green Tri Tone | @en_angie
Green Tri Tone | @en_angie
Products Used
Grey Tri Tone | @en_angie
Grey Tri Tone | @en_angie
Products Used
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @en_angie
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @en_angie
Products Used
Sky Blue Two Tone | @en_angie
Sky Blue Two Tone | @en_angie
Freshlook Colorblends Brown | @en_angie
Freshlook Colorblends Brown | @en_angie
Storm Cloud Grey | @bleedinbeauty
Storm Cloud Grey | @bleedinbeauty
Products Used
Mystic Turquoise | @bleedinbeauty
Mystic Turquoise | @bleedinbeauty
Products Used
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Sky Blue Two Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Sky Blue Two Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Sky Blue Two Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Sky Blue Two Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Grey Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Grey Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Green Envy Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Green Envy Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Green Envy Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Green Envy Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Green Envy Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Green Envy Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Green Envy Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Green Envy Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Green Envy Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Green Envy Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Grey Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Grey Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Grey Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Grey Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Grey Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Grey Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Hazel Autumn Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Sky Blue Two Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Sky Blue Two Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Sky Blue Two Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Sky Blue Two Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Enhance Blue Full Tint | @makeupmadhouse
Enhance Blue Full Tint | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Enhance Tint Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Enhance Tint Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Enhance Tint Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Enhance Tint Blue | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Enhance Blue Full Tint | @makeupmadhouse
Enhance Blue Full Tint | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Blue Two Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Blue Two Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Sky Blue Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Sky Blue Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Products Used
Blue Emerald Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Blue Emerald Tri Tone | @makeupmadhouse
Blue Rain Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Blue Rain Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Green Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Green Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Products Used
Grey Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Grey Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Products Used
Blue Rain Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Blue Rain Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Green Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Green Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Products Used
Grey Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Grey Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Products Used
Grey Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Grey Tri Tone | @ladyparadoxx
Products Used
Brown One Tone | @courtneyleighhollins
Brown One Tone | @courtneyleighhollins
Products Used
Brown One Tone | @courtneyleighhollins
Brown One Tone | @courtneyleighhollins
Products Used
Brown One Tone | @sajalyn
Brown One Tone | @sajalyn
Products Used
Brown One Tone | @Sajalyn
Brown One Tone | @Sajalyn
Products Used
Brown One Tone | @sajalyn
Brown One Tone | @sajalyn
Products Used
Featured Products
The Problem with Contact Lens Disposal
Did you know that most types of contact lenses are made from non-biodegradable materials? This means that they are made from plastics that will not dissolve in water. They will remain intact and could make their way into our marine ecosystems; potentially harming wildlife.
To help reduce your plastic waste but still allow you to enjoy wearing colored contact lenses, why not consider using long duration lenses so that they need to be replaced less frequently? See our 30 Day and 90 Day ranges for reusable contact lenses. You can also re-use and repurpose items such as contact lens cases and lens solution bottles if they are kept thoroughly clean.
How to Correctly Dispose Of Contact Lenses
Contact lenses should be disposed of alongside your regular household waste. It is not advised that you dispose of your contact lenses down the sink or toilet – a surprisingly common way that users dispose of their contacts. This is because the contact lenses will end up in our ecosystems.
Sometimes, contact lenses are so small and thin that they get filtered out in regular recycling systems. This means they have a higher chance of ending up in a regular landfill.
To counter these problems the following schemes have been introduced.
National Contact Lens Recycling Schemes
You’ll be delighted to know that there are many options for contact lens recycling. In the UK, there is currently a national contact lens recycling scheme from Terracycle & Acuvue. With this scheme, you, as a group or as an individual, can recycle contact lenses to earn points.
You can not only recycle the lenses with the program but parts of the packaging such as the lens blister packs and foil.
Find out more on the contact lens recycling scheme from the Terracycle Contact Lens Recycling page. These schemes make it possible for contact lenses to be made into benches, playground equipment and more.
Disposing of Contact Lens Packaging
Many aspects such as the cardboard packaging and the plastic blister packs are widely recycled. If you receive contact lenses in glass vials then these can be recycled separately.
In most cases, the contact lens foil seals cannot be recycled (unless in a scheme mentioned above) and should be disposed of alongside regular household waste.
