If you’ve recently bought a new pair of glasses, you might be wondering what to do with your old glasses. Rather than leaving them at the back of a drawer or throwing them away, there are several options worth considering.
Depending on the condition of your old frames, you could reglaze them with new prescription lenses, donate them, recycle them, keep them as a spare pair or even repurpose them.
Here’s what you can do with old glasses and how to decide which option is right for you.
1. Reglaze your old glasses
One of the most practical things you can do with an old pair of glasses is have the lenses replaced.
If you like the frame and it’s still in good condition, you don’t necessarily need to buy an entirely new pair of glasses when your prescription changes. Instead, you can have your existing frames reglazed with new lenses.
This can be particularly useful if:
- You like the style and fit of your current frames
- Your prescription has changed
- Your existing frames are still in good condition
- You want to keep a favourite or expensive frame
- You’d like a spare pair of glasses
- You want to reduce unnecessary waste
At MyGlassesReglaze, your existing frames can be fitted with new lenses to suit your current prescription, helping you get more use out of a pair you already own.
For many people, reglazing is a simple way to give an old pair of glasses a new lease of life.
2. Keep your old glasses as a spare pair
If your old glasses are still suitable for your previous prescription, consider keeping them as a backup pair.
Having a spare pair can be useful if your main glasses are lost, damaged or being repaired. You could keep them at home, in the car, at work or somewhere else that’s convenient.
However, if your prescription has changed significantly, your old glasses may no longer provide the vision correction you need. In this situation, it’s worth speaking to your optician rather than relying on an outdated prescription.
3. Donate your old glasses
Another option is to donate your glasses to an organisation that accepts used spectacles.
Some charitable organisations collect unwanted glasses for reuse or recycling. Before donating, check the organisation’s current requirements, as not every charity accepts every type of eyewear.
If you do donate your glasses, it’s a good idea to make sure they’re clean and in reasonable condition.
You don’t necessarily need to throw away a perfectly usable pair simply because you no longer need them.
4. Recycle your old glasses
If your glasses are broken or unsuitable for reuse, recycling may be an alternative to putting them straight into your household bin.
Glasses are made from several different materials, including plastics, metals and glass or specialist lens materials. This can make them more complicated to recycle through standard household recycling collections.
For this reason, check with your local council or a specialist recycling scheme before putting old glasses in your recycling bin.
Some opticians, charities and specialist schemes may also offer collection or recycling options, so it’s worth checking what’s available locally.
5. Ask your optician if they can reuse or recycle them
If you’re replacing your glasses at an optician, ask whether they have a scheme for unwanted spectacles.
Some practices may accept old glasses for charitable purposes or recycling, although arrangements vary between businesses.
Your optician can also advise you if you’re unsure whether your existing frames could be reused with new lenses.
This is particularly worth considering if you like your current frames but have been told you need a new prescription.
6. Repurpose your old glasses
If your old frames are damaged and can’t be used as glasses anymore, you could get creative and repurpose them.
For example, old frames could potentially be used for:
- Craft projects
- Decorations
- Costumes
- Photography or artwork
- Other creative projects
This isn’t the most practical option for everyone, but it can be a fun way of giving an old pair of glasses another purpose.
If the frames are valuable, fragile or potentially hazardous when modified, however, recycling them may be a better choice.
7. Keep them for sentimental reasons
Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with keeping an old pair of glasses simply because they mean something to you.
Perhaps they’re your first pair of glasses, a favourite frame or associated with an important period of your life.
If you don’t need them anymore, store them safely in a glasses case to protect the frames and lenses from scratches.
Can you put old glasses in the bin?
It’s best not to automatically put old glasses in your household bin without checking whether they can be reused or recycled first.
If the frames are still in good condition, reglazing or donating them may be better options. If they’re damaged beyond repair, look for an appropriate recycling option in your area.
Because glasses contain different materials, your local recycling facilities may have specific rules about whether they can be accepted.
What should you do with old prescription glasses?
The best option depends on the condition of your glasses and whether you still like the frames.
| Condition of your glasses | Option to consider |
|---|---|
| Frames are in good condition but prescription has changed | Reglaze the frames |
| Glasses are still suitable for your prescription | Keep as a spare pair |
| Glasses are usable but no longer needed | Donate them |
| Frames are damaged beyond use | Look into recycling |
| You want to use them creatively | Repurpose the frames |
| Glasses have sentimental value | Keep them safely stored |
For many people, reglazing is worth considering before buying a completely new pair.
Is it cheaper to reglaze old glasses?
Reglazing can be a cost-effective alternative to replacing both your frames and lenses, particularly if your existing frames are still in good condition.
Rather than paying for an entirely new frame, you can keep the frame you already have and replace the lenses to match your current prescription.
The cost will depend on the type of lenses you need and the service you choose.
It’s also worth considering the value of a frame you already own. If you spent time finding a comfortable frame that suits you, reglazing means you can continue wearing it rather than starting the search for another pair.
How long do glasses frames last?
There’s no fixed lifespan for a pair of glasses. How long frames last depends on their material, construction, how frequently they’re worn and how well they’re looked after.
Signs that your frames may no longer be suitable for reglazing can include:
- Significant cracks or damage
- Severely bent frames
- Loose or damaged components
- Excessive wear
- Frames that no longer fit comfortably
If you’re unsure whether your old glasses can be reglazed, it’s worth having them assessed before deciding what to do with them.
Give your old glasses a new lease of life
If you love your existing frames but need a new prescription, you don’t necessarily have to part with them.
Reglazing your glasses gives you the opportunity to keep your favourite frames while replacing the lenses, making it a practical option for people looking to get more use from their existing eyewear.
At MyGlassesReglaze, we make it easy to explore your reglazing options and give your old frames a new lease of life.
Instead of leaving your old glasses in a drawer, see how you could reuse your frames with new lenses.
