I get asked this question a lot. “Dan, what should I do with old glasses?”. Glasses aren’t cheap - yet given how much we wear glasses, along with changing prescriptions, we can end up with new pairs every year. This leaves a lot of glasses spare or unused. A drawer full of old glasses seems wasteful, so whether you’re looking to save space, money or save the planet, I’ll run through a few options for your old glasses.
Reglaze and Re-use:
“Reglazing” is the process of putting your new prescription into an old frame. This is a great idea if you still like the style of your old frames, but have had a new prescription at your recent eye test. You can take your old frames to you local Optician who can do this for you. It’s worth being aware that if the frame is fragile due to its age, there is a risk it can break during the reglazing pocess. So if there is any sentimental value to them, this isn’t a good option for you.
At Re:View Eyewear, we want to promote all things sustainable - one of the “R’s” of sustainability is Re-use. If you would like an eco friendly option for reglazing of an old pair of glasses, don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss this further.
Donate them:
Donating your old glasses to charity is an excellent way to clear out some space and help others. Companies like Vision Aid Overseas and Lions Club collect old glasses. These glasses are then given to people who either don’t have access to eye care or don’t have the financial means to buy glasses. Opticians and charity shops often have collection boxes, so take your glasses down and give them a new lease of life to help those less fortunate.
If you aren’t sure whether your local optician or charity shop accepts glasses, you can call ahead to check. If you don’t live close to a donation point, then you can send glasses directly to the Lions Club.
Gift them
If your old glasses aren’t your style anymore, it doesn’t mean they won’t be someone else’s! One person’s waste is another person’s treasure. Gifting old glasses to a friend or family member is a great way to repurpose your old frames. If you have prescription glasses, it’s unlikely they will have a matching prescription, but the frames can be reglazed to their prescription as explained above.
A word of warning - ask before gifting all of your frames away! If you gift your friend 20 pairs of old glasses, it’s unlikely they’ll be your friend for much longer.
Keep them for fancy dress
Stuck for fancy dress ideas? An old pair of round glasses with the lenses popped out makes a very easy Harry Potter costume. Depending on the style of the glasses, you can create a whole range of costumes. From Walter White to Velma Dinkley, the possibilities are endless.
