Creating the First Net Plastic Neutral Contact Lens

Building on our commitment to sustainability, combing both environmental and societal initiatives, Cooper announced its partnership with Plastic Bank to create the first net plastic neutral contact lens in March 2021.

Plastic Bank is a social enterprise building ethical recycling ecosystems in coastal communities, that reprocesses the materials for reintroduction into the global supply chain. Collectors receive a premium for the materials they collect which helps them provide basic family necessities such as groceries, cooking fuel, school tuition, and health insurance.

For every box of clariti® 1 day distributed in the United States, Cooper will purchase a credit from Plastic Bank to collect and convert into reusable feedstock the equivalent amount of plastic, factoring in the entire product from the lens and blister to the inks, adhesive and laminates embedded within the packaging.

“We have a strong record of sustainable manufacturing and operations, focused on areas in which we can make the greatest impact,” said Melissa Kiewe, Vice President of Marketing, Americas, CooperVision. “Plastic plays a critical role in the hygienic delivery and sterile protection of our contact lenses, and how that plastic is managed is important to us. Our partnership with Plastic Bank® presents new opportunities to further expand our sustainability efforts and engage with eye care professionals and wearers in a new, innovative way.”

Since launching in March 2021,Cooper’s partnership with Plastic Bank has expanded beyond the United States and now includes 26 countries across North & South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Plastic Bank is building ethical recycling ecosystems in coastal communities. Collectors receive a premium for the materials they collect which helps them provide basic family necessities, school tuition, and health insurance.