Plastic partnership expands with vision care
Plastic Bank members in Indonesia to gain eyecare access
Contact lens manufacturer CooperVision has renewed its plastic neutrality partnership with Plastic Bank until the end of 2026.
The partnership has also expanded to include a vision care programme to provide vision screenings and vouchers for free eye examinations and spectacles for eligible Plastic Bank collection members in Indonesia.
In partnership with Plastic Bank, CooperVision funds the collection and recycling of ocean-bound plastic equivalent to the weight of plastic used across a range of its participating soft contact lenses, including the lens, blister and packaging components sold and distributed across 27 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
To date, the effort has prevented the equivalent of more than 305 million plastic bottles from entering the oceans, says the company.
Through the partnership extension, CooperVision expects to more than double the total impact of its plastic neutrality initiative with Plastic Bank by the end of 2026.
Aldo Zucaro, senior director of corporate responsibility at CooperCompanies, said: “Our collaboration with Plastic Bank now enables us to provide vision correction for qualifying collection members who are making a difference by removing plastic from the environment and oceans, which truly embodies our passion for supporting people and planet.”
“At Plastic Bank, we envision a wasteless world and are committed to empowering communities and local entrepreneurs to end poverty,” said David Katz, founder of Plastic Bank.
“Collection members have limited access to basic eyecare, and for many, this will be the first time they have received vision screenings and necessary vision correction. We know that vision impairment can affect quality of life, independence, and mobility. Working with CooperVision is not only bringing significant social benefits to our communities, but it is also bringing our vision of ending poverty to life.”