Bausch + Lomb Reports Nearly 27 Million Units of Contact Lens Materials Recycled Through One By One Recycling Program
Bausch + Lomb, a key eye health business of Bausch Health (NYSE/TSX: BHC), announced the ONE by ONE Recycling program has successfully recycled nearly 27 million used contact lenses and packaging since its 2016 launch. The collaboration with TerraCycle has diverted over 162,000 pounds of waste from the environment. With 5,500 participating optometry practices, the initiative also supports Optometry Giving Sight, donating $10 for every 10 pounds collected. This program showcases Bausch Health's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
- Recycled nearly 27 million contact lenses and packaging since 2016.
- Diverted over 162,000 pounds of waste from landfills.
- Engaged over 5,500 optometry practices in the recycling program.
- Supports Optometry Giving Sight with a donation model.
- Demonstrates commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
- None.
LAVAL, QC, Nov. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health"), today announced that its exclusive ONE by ONE Recycling program has recycled nearly 27 million used contact lenses, top foils and blister packs since launching in November 2016. The program, made possible through a collaboration with TerraCycle®, a world leader in the collection and repurposing of hard-to-recycle post-consumer waste, has diverted more than 162,000 pounds of contact lens waste from oceans, lakes, streams and landfills.
"At Bausch Health, we continuously evaluate all aspects of our company to identify ways that we can achieve a more sustainable and regenerative state, while reducing our overall environmental footprint," said Amy Butler, vice president, Global Environment, Health, Safety + Sustainability, Bausch Health. "We are proud to offer the ONE by ONE Recycling program to customers and contact lens wearers to help ensure these used materials do not end up in our environment."
Today, more than 5,500 optometry practices are registered with the ONE by ONE Recycling program. To participate, contact lens wearers can bring their used contact lenses and packaging to one of these offices, which collects the used lens materials in a custom recycling bin provided by Bausch + Lomb. Once the bin is filled, the optometry practice will ship the materials to TerraCycle for proper recycling using a pre-paid shipping label.
"Millions of people wear contact lenses every day to help them see, but many do not realize the significant impact that these materials can have on the environment," said Tom Szaky, founder and CEO, TerraCycle. "In just four years, we have recycled hundreds of thousands of these used materials, removing them from our environment, and instead using them to give back to the community. It is a program we're proud to be part of and one we look forward to building upon in collaboration with Bausch + Lomb for years to come."
Additionally, for every 10 pounds of material received from the ONE by ONE Recycling Program, TerraCycle donates
In 2019, Bausch + Lomb took the program one step further by repurposing the recycled waste and combining it with other recycled material to create custom training modules that were donated to the Guide Dog Foundation, a national not-for-profit that trains guide dogs for people who are blind or visually impaired. The modules, which included benches, tables, waste stations and an agility ramp, are used to train the dogs and to further enhance the organization's Smithtown, New York campus for those who visit.
For more information on the Bausch + Lomb ONE by ONE Recycling Program, visit www.bauschrecycles.com.
About TerraCycle
TerraCycle is an innovative waste management company with a mission to eliminate the idea of waste. Operating nationally across 21 countries, TerraCycle partners with leading consumer product companies, retailers and cities to recycle products and packages, from dirty diapers to cigarette butts, that would otherwise end up being landfilled or incinerated. In addition, TerraCycle works with leading consumer product companies to integrate hard to recycle waste streams, such as ocean plastic, into their products and packaging. Its new division, Loop, is the first shopping system that gives consumers a way to shop for their favorite brands in durable, reusable packaging. TerraCycle has won over 200 awards for sustainability and has donated over
About the ONE by ONE Recycling Program
Contact lens waste, including used lenses, foils and blister packs, is collected at eye care practices through special recycling bins provided by Bausch + Lomb and sent, postage-paid, to TerraCycle, where it is processed into raw material for the manufacture of new recycled products.
About Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb, a leading global eye health business of Bausch Health Companies Inc., is solely focused on helping people see better to live better. Its core businesses include over-the-counter products, dietary supplements, eye care products, ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, contact lenses, lens care products, ophthalmic surgical devices and instruments. Bausch + Lomb develops, manufactures and markets one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry, which is available in approximately 100 countries. For more information, visit www.bausch.com.
About Bausch Health
Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) is a global company whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care products. We develop, manufacture and market a range of pharmaceutical, medical device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology and dermatology. We are delivering on our commitments as we build an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health. More information can be found at www.bauschhealth.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements, which may generally be identified by the use of the words "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "should," "could," "would," "may," "believes," "estimates," "potential," "target," or "continue" and variations or similar expressions. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed in Bausch Health's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and detailed from time to time in Bausch Health's other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities Administrators, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. They also include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties caused by or relating to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, and the fear of that pandemic and its potential effects, the severity, duration and future impact of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, and which may have a material adverse impact on Bausch Health, including but not limited to its project development timelines, and costs (which may increase). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Bausch Health undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release or to reflect actual outcomes, unless required by law.
TerraCycle is a trademark of TerraCycle Inc.
Any other product/brand names and/or logos are trademarks of the respective owners.
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