Lens waste: Indecent disposal

More than three million people in the UK wear contact lenses, says the research news hub Science Daily. And wearers must be wreaking havoc on the environment, judging by new American research which shows that one in five users flushes old lenses down the drain without giving it a thought.

‘I had worn glasses and contact lenses for most of my adult life,’ says Arizona State University (ASU) environmentalist Rolf Halden – the driving force behind the report. ‘But I started to wonder, has anyone done research on what happens to these plastic lenses?’

ASU biology PhD student Charlie Rolsky explains the research project’s origins: ‘I think this was one of many interesting brainstorming sessions that we’ve had in Rolf’s office where we’ve just been spit-balling ideas back and forth. And one day Rolf had a particularly bad time with one of his contacts, because he leaned back in his chair and said, “You know, I wonder what happens to these things? They’re so flimsy.”’