I went to the opticians today. I was more than a year out of date with my eye test and I had noticed a distinct deterioration in my eyesight so I finally decided it had to be done.
I have, at present, two pairs of spectacles - identical frames, identical variable focus prescription lenses, but one clear for everyday use and one tinted for use in bright sunlight. Both frames are in good condition and fit very comfortably so I thought I would just have the prescription changed and use the frames again. It would save the cost of new frames.
So along I went and explained what I wanted. It turns out that opticians must make a large mark-up on frames because the deals they offer mean that it is cheaper to buy new frames with your new prescription glasses than to have the lenses changed!
When I made the point that I wanted to recycle the present perfectly adequate frames the young lady dealing with my query - one Ceri by name - stated that all old frames were recycled by sending them to Africa to help the poor people there.
Very commendable!
But . . . how much in the way of carbon emissions is generated by sending old spectacles to Africa? How much less would it be for me to send some cash to African charities?
I will probably have new frames because I cannot afford the difference. But I will still feel cheated and in some ways guilty that I could have been greener about the whole issue.
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