Johnson & Johnson Vision has launched a free nationwide contact lens recycling programme in the UK, enabling consumers to recycle their contact lenses and blister and foil packaging irrespective of what brand they use.

Until now, the company says, recycling contact lenses was challenging, with consumers having to proactively seek out a paid-for recycling partner.

Johnson & Johnson Vision says the Acuvue contact lens recycle programme is the UK's first free nationwide contact lens recycling scheme. It aims to reduce plastic waste in landfills and waterways by providing a simple and practical recycling option to the UK's 3.7 million contact wearers, including the 20% of wearers who report they currently dispose of their lenses by flushing them down the toilet or sink. The programme will see the recycled contact lenses, blister and foil packaging turned into new products such as outdoor furniture and plastic lumber, it says.

"Seventy-seven percent of British contact lens wearers said they would recycle their contact lenses if they could and we share their interest in reducing the amount of plastics in the environment," said Johnson & Johnson area vice president Sandra Rasche. "As a business, we are committed to doing our part to combat climate change, protect our planet's natural resources and reduce waste, and this new UK recycling programme represents the next step in our company's sustainability commitment."

Johnson & Johnson Vision is collaborating with TerraCycle to run the programme. Consumers will have the option of either having their contact lens material collected, or simply dropping it off through a network of recycling bins at public drop-off locations at optical stores across the UK, including Boots Opticians.