SUSTAINABILITY
OUR
SUSTAINABILITY
PROMISE
We are steadfast in our commitment to fostering a sustainable future. We believe that looking after your eyes and ears should also include a responsibility to our planet and community. Our dedication to sustainability is not just a promise; it's a conscious choice embedded in every aspect of our practice. From the eyewear we select to the daily operations of our clinic, we prioritise ethical and eco-friendly practices.
DID YOU KNOW WE'RE AWARD WINNERS?
In July 2023, we secured gold at Salisbury's Green Business Awards for our outstanding commitment to sustainability. Witness the moment Carl and Sarah proudly accepted the trophy from Sophia Kalberg of SGBA. This win not only highlights our dedication to eco-friendly practices but also encourages others to embrace a greener future.
WAYS WE'RE TAKING ACTION
01
RECYCLING SPECTACLES
Recycling eyewear is not a recent endeavor; we've been doing this for a while. However, we've enhanced our recycling capabilities to include a wider range of items: spectacles, sunglasses, safety glasses, safety goggles, swimming goggles, glasses cases, prescription lenses, tinted lenses, and demo lenses. This expansion ensures that every pair of spectacles we sell, including demo lenses and packaging, can now be directly recycled by us, leaving nothing to waste.
02
RECYCLING CONTACT LENSES
In our commitment to environmental responsibility, we've partnered with TerraCycle to extend our recycling efforts to contact lenses and their packaging. Through this collaboration, we've established an easy and efficient way to recycle used contact lenses, blister packs, and other associated packaging materials. By participating in our contact lens recycling program, you not only contribute to waste reduction but also join us in making a positive impact on the environment.
03
PRACTICE STATIONARY
We're in the process of upgrading all our practice stationery to be eco-friendly. Using recycled materials, eco-friendly inks, and low-carbon delivery methods, we're ensuring that every item is fully recyclable and non-toxic. Stay tuned as we finalize the last few details to make our entire stationery range green-friendly! We've also made digital copies of our leaflets available to anyone who wishes to have them sent via email. Our prescriptions will still be printed however, as these need a wet signature to be valid.
04
ECO FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
Where possible, we prioritize materials with minimal environmental impact, from bio-acetate frames to rPET spectacle cases. Our commitment extends to embracing reusable alternatives, such as our "Bottle for Life" lens cleaners, and offering plastic-free options like our lens wipes. This reflects our unwavering dedication to reducing single-use plastic and fostering a greener future. We also choose planet-friendly cleaning solutions such as Ecover
05
CHALLENGING OUR SUPPLIERS
In our pursuit of sustainability, we've urged suppliers to adopt eco-friendly practices. When our directives were ignored, we took a stand and severed ties with non-compliant partners. Additionally, we actively engage in a circular approach by returning items like generic guarantee leaflets to certain suppliers for reuse, promoting a closed-loop system. This reflects our commitment to embedding eco-consciousness throughout our supply chain. It's great to see businesses we work with also changing their ways to become more green.
06
DAY-TO-DAY RUNNING
In our day-to-day operations, we've been changing our priorities to green practices. We've transitioned to green banking to align our financial transactions with eco-friendly initiatives. Actively collecting rainwater for various purposes helps minimize our water consumption, contributing to conservation efforts. As part of our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, we've disconnected our gas supply in favor of more sustainable alternatives. Recognizing that these small steps accumulate over time.
07
WHAT WE NEED TO IMPROVE ON
Continuously striving for improvement, we acknowledge that even in our commitment to sustainability, there's always room to enhance our practices. Recently, we identified an oversight in our collection bags, which, although made from recycled materials, inadvertently featured a plastic coating. We recognize this as a misstep, and we are actively working to rectify it. This experience reinforces our commitment to transparency and underscores the importance of diligent scrutiny in our supply chain.
RECYCLING CONTACT LENSES
In our commitment to environmental responsibility, we've partnered with TerraCycle to extend our recycling efforts to contact lenses and their packaging. Through this collaboration, we've established an easy and efficient way to recycle used contact lenses, blister packs, and other associated packaging materials. By participating in our contact lens recycling program, you not only contribute to waste reduction but also join us in making a positive impact on the environment.