Pioneering Program Offers Drop-Off and Mail-In Options for All Consumers
PLEASANTON, Calif., August 26, 2019—Further extending its global sustainability efforts, CooperVision has launched an initiative in Sweden that offers consumers free soft contact lens recycling for all brands and manufacturers. The CooperVision® Contact Lens Recycle Program aims to reduce plastic waste by providing a practical and easy way for wearers to recycle lenses as well as blister and foil packaging.
Wearers have the option of sending contact lens materials directly to CooperVision’s recycling partner, TerraCycle, using pre-paid mailing labels or dropping them off at a network of participating optical stores across Sweden. The program will also help consumers understand the impact of their efforts, highlighting how the materials will be recycled for everyday use as plastic lumber, park benches and fence posts.
“Minimizing environmental impact by reducing, reusing and recycling is a key sustainability area of focus at CooperVision. Waste reduction programs such as this partnership with TerraCycle underpin broader efforts across The Cooper Companies to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” said Jonas Eisenhardt, Commercial Director and General Manager, CooperVision Nordic.
This consumer-facing pilot initiative complements CooperVision’s extensive sustainability efforts in its manufacturing and distribution operations, which emphasize environmentally responsible practices across four areas: water, energy, recycling, and people. From award-winning conservation efforts in Puerto Rico, to earning sustainability certifications in Costa Rica, Spain and the United Kingdom, to operating with 100 percent renewable electricity resources at three Rochester, N.Y- area sites, the company has made sustainability a priority. Learn more about its initiatives and impacts at CooperVision.com/sustainability.
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About CooperVision
CooperVision, a unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE:COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of monthly, two-week and daily disposable contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism and presbyopia; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit coopervision.com.
About The Cooper Companies
The Cooper Companies, Inc. ("Cooper") is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE:COO). Cooper operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision brings a refreshing perspective on vision care with a commitment to developing a wide range of high-quality products for contact lens wearers and providing focused practitioner support. CooperSurgical is committed to advancing the health of women, babies and families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on medical devices and fertility & genomics. Headquartered in Pleasanton, Calif., Cooper has more than 12,000 employees with products sold in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com.
About TerraCycle
Founded in 2001, TerraCycle (www.terracycle.com) is the world’s leader in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste. TerraCycle works with over one hundred major brands in 21 countries across the globe to collect used packaging and products that would otherwise be destined for landfills. It repurposes that waste into new eco-friendly materials and products that are available online and through major retailers. The waste is collected through TerraCycle’s National recycling programs, which are free fundraisers that pay schools, charities and non-profits for every piece of waste they collect and return.
Media Contact
Mike McDougall, APR, Fellow PRSA
McDougall Communications for CooperVision, Inc.
mike@mcdougallpr.com or +1-585-545-1815 (mobile)