Eurolens Research, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, The University of Manchester, UK.
CooperVision Inc. Pleasanton, CA, USA.
Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2022 Apr;45(2):101435. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2021.03.002. Epub 2021 Mar 12.
To examine the annualised waste and end-of-life disposal options with two representative soft contact lens (CL) modalities.
The component parts of two representative soft CL modalities were catalogued, separated, weighed and inspected for material identification: somofilcon A soft CLs (clariti elite, CooperVision Inc.) used with multi-purpose solution (MPS) (All in one Light, CooperVision Inc.) and somofilcon A CLs (clariti 1 day, CooperVision Inc). Using a model that assumed compliant wear and care of CLs, the mass of material solid waste generated by CL use over a year was calculated. Disposal options were explored using household and specialist recycling streams in order to develop recommendations for responsible disposal of CL waste.
Full-time daily disposable (DD) CL wear generates 1.06 kg of waste annually compared to 0.83 kg generated by reusable-monthly replacement daily wear ('reusable') CLs. Plastic was the dominant material in both modalities. With full-time use of DD CLs, 64% of waste by mass was plastic blister trays. For full-time use of reusable CLs, where figures from lens and MPS packaging are combined, plastics accounted for 67% of waste by mass. MPS bottles alone made up almost half the waste (45%) associated with full-time reusable CL wear.
Full-time DD wear generates 27% more waste annually than full-time reusable lens wear. Reusable CL wearers can recycle 78% of waste at home. DD lens wearers have access to recycling options that allow them to recycle 100% of CL related waste. Full-time CL lens wear represents just 0.20-0.26% of the 412 kg of household waste generated per person, per year in the United Kingdom. Worn CLs should never be disposed of down the sink or lavatory. CL wearers should be aware of responsible end-of-life recycling and disposal options for all CL waste.
研究两种代表性软性隐形眼镜（CL）方式的年度浪费和最终处置选择。
对两种代表性软性 CL 方式的组成部分进行编目、分离、称重和材料识别检查：使用多用途溶液（All in one Light，CooperVision Inc.）的 somofilcon A 软性 CL（clariti elite，CooperVision Inc.）和 somofilcon A CL（clariti 1 day，CooperVision Inc.）。使用假设符合 CL 使用和护理的模型，计算出 CL 使用一年内产生的材料固体废物的质量。通过家庭和专业回收渠道探索处置选择，为负责任地处置 CL 废物提出建议。
全职每日一次性（DD）CL 佩戴每年产生 1.06 公斤废物，而可重复使用每月更换的日常佩戴（“可重复使用”）CL 产生 0.83 公斤废物。两种方式中，塑料都是主要材料。全职使用 DD CL 时，64%的废物按质量计为塑料泡罩托盘。全职使用可重复使用 CL 时，将镜片和 MPS 包装的数字合并，塑料占废物质量的 67%。仅 MPS 瓶就占全职使用可重复使用 CL 相关废物的近一半（45%）。
全职 DD 佩戴每年产生的废物比全职可重复使用镜片佩戴多 27%。可重复使用 CL 佩戴者可以在家中回收 78%的废物。DD 镜片佩戴者可以使用回收选项，将与 CL 相关的废物 100%回收。全职 CL 镜片佩戴仅占英国每人每年产生的 412 公斤家庭废物的 0.20-0.26%。使用过的 CL 绝不应丢弃到水槽或厕所中。CL 佩戴者应了解所有 CL 废物的负责任的最终处置和回收选择。
