Also called: spectacles, sunglasses, reading glasses, eyeglasses
General waste
National rules. Choose your council to see its answer.
The answer can differ by council. Choose your council to see its rules for this item.
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The answer isn't the same in every UK nation. Choose your council to see the one that applies to you.
General waste
This can't be recycled here. Put it in your general waste bin.
This item can't be recycled at home, so put it in your general waste bin.
General waste
This can't be recycled here. Put it in your general waste bin.
This item can't be recycled at home, so put it in your general waste; check if your council also collects nappies and incontinence pads separately.
Wales-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
General waste
This can't be recycled here. Put it in your general waste bin.
This item can't be recycled at home, so put it in your general waste bin.
England-wide guidance, checked 26 Sep 2026. View the source
General waste
This can't be recycled here. Put it in your general waste bin.
This item can't be recycled at home, so put it in your general waste bin.
Scotland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
General waste
This can't be recycled here. Put it in your general waste bin.
This item can't be recycled at home, so put it in your general waste; check if your council also collects nappies and incontinence pads separately.
Wales-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
General waste
This can't be recycled here. Put it in your general waste bin.
This item can't be recycled at home, so put it in your general waste bin.
Northern Ireland-wide guidance, checked 27 Sep 2026. View the source
National schemes anyone in the UK can use.
We haven't confirmed this scheme's details yet.
Free · Return in store
Most opticians take old spectacles and sunglasses to be reused or recycled for charity.
Source: specsavers.co.uk, checked 10 Oct 2026.
Recycle This isn't run by or endorsed by any council or the government. Councils change their services, so check anything important with your council.