Council calls for donations to ‘Spectacle Reuse’ scheme

Belfast City Council is calling for donations of old unwanted spectacles at its recycling centres.

This is to support the “Spectacle Reuse” scheme, which will see donated spectacles repaired and sent to people in developing countries for reuse.

Council has partnered with the Newcastle Lions Club charity to deliver the project, with 3,500 spectacle donations made already.

Belfast Lord Mayor Christina Black is delighted the council is involved in such a project.

She said: “This is such a wonderful and unique scheme that is ultimately supporting and helping those most in need.

“I’m delighted council has partnered with the Lions Club to bring this project forward and I would encourage all residents to get involved and donate any unwanted spectacles they might have at home.”

She added: “This really is a worthy cause and a shining example of the circular economy in action, where items are repaired and used again rather than being recycled or sent for disposal.”

Residents can bring old spectacles – along with the case if available – to any of the council’s four recycling centres and place them in dedicated used spectacle containers.

Donated spectacles will be collected by the Newcastle Lions Club and sent to Lion Medico in France – the international humanitarian arm of Lions Clubs – for repair and redistribution around the world.

Newcastle Lions President Elizabeth Murphy explains the partnership with Belfast City Council will help the charity support greater numbers of people in need.

She said: “The first collection from Belfast in July received over 3,500 pairs of glasses.

“This resulted in 10 large boxes filled with spectacles being sent to Lions Medico where they were cleaned, calibrated, identified and sent to developing countries so doctors can meet the needs of their patients.

“Our partnership with Belfast City Council will undoubtedly increase the numbers of donations, allowing us to build greater capacity to help more people around the world.”

Many other items collected at recycling centres are also collected for reuse, including books, CDs, DVDs, clothes, and bicycles.

n For more information on recycling centres and what you can bring to the sites visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/recycling