When Donating Eyeglasses:

• Please send both plastic and metal frames.  Remove loose and broken lenses or damaged lenses and frames.  Rather than store glasses for a long time, send as soon as possible to one of the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers. Time, extreme temperature and weather conditions cause damage to frames and lenses, often rendering them useless.
• Pack eyeglasses in a sturdy corrugated cardboard box. Layer rows of eyeglasses with tissue paper, newspaper or styrofoam.  (Please avoid using shredded packing materials or styrofoam "peanuts.")
• Seal box with strapping tape.
• Be sure label is legible and include your return address.
• Used eyeglasses are of no commercial value; therefore, choose the least expensive means of shipping to the recycling centers (usually third or fourth class mail.) Label the box, "No commercial value."
• Please notify the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center before sending large shipments of eyeglasses.

General Guidelines for Recycling Centers

Requesting Eyeglasses for Mission Use
When requesting quantities of recycled eyeglasses from a Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center for mission use, the requestor is responsible for:

• assuring Lions Clubs International that the eyeglasses will be dispensed free of charge to needy people
• providing shipping instructions
• arranging customs clearance
• paying for the cost of shipping the eyeglasses

Note: please allow minimum of eight weeks' lead time when ordering eyeglasses.
 
Sending Eyeglasses to Developing Countries
It is advised to ship eyeglasses only to Lions, doctors or places of worship. Otherwise, there may be a risk of the eyeglasses being sold for profit.