Rising energy costs and increased awareness of the waste produced by optical labs has created an impetus for sustainability among members of the Optical Suppliers Association (OSA).
Suppliers were focusing on cutting water usage for a surfaced lens from 12 litres to four, as well as reducing the estimated 3,000 tons of waste that goes to landfill each year.
For example, Norville’s recent move to a newer building enabled a number of its environmental ambitions to be met. ‘The move has brought a reduction in water usage of 28%, gas reduction of 20% and electricity use has been cut by 16%, all for a similar lens output. We have thought through everything from electric charging points in the car park, and consolidating dispatch with a new IT system which brings considerable savings,’ said Nevil Trotter, managing director of Norville 20/20.