(PRESS RELEASE) ROCHESTER, N.Y. — CooperVision has reached a significant milestone in its pioneering net plastic neutrality initiative. Eye care professionals and contact lens wearers have now prevented the equivalent of more than half a billion plastic bottles from entering the world’s oceans thanks to the global partnership between CooperVision and Plastic Bank.
“Ahead of Earth Day, we are thrilled to celebrate this incredible accomplishment. Practitioners and wearers who choose CooperVision net plastic neutral contact lenses have been central to creating such an enormous impact, and we are proud to have partnered with them and Plastic Bank in helping People + Planet,” said Aldo Zucaro, Senior Director, Corporate Responsibility, CooperCompanies. “Every bottle collected prevents plastic waste from polluting our oceans and land, helping to protect ecosystems and wildlife. Half a billion bottles is an amazing milestone—if you put them end-to-end, you could circle the earth two and a half times.”
In partnership with Plastic Bank, CooperVision funds the collection and recycling of ocean-bound plastic equivalent to the weight of plastic used across a range of its participating soft contact lenses, including the lens, blister and packaging components, that are sold and distributed across 34 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
“While the achievement should be celebrated, it is not our end goal—we are always seeking ways to do more,” continued Zucaro. “This journey is ongoing, and we are excited for what’s ahead. Together, we can make an even greater difference for People + Planet.”
Beyond the environmental benefits, CooperVision’s net plastic neutrality initiative elevates the lives of Plastic Bank collector members in hundreds of coastal communities. In exchange for the ocean-bound plastic waste they collect, adults receive credits to purchase goods and services, including health, work and life insurance, digital connectivity, grocery vouchers, school supplies, and more. CooperVision also provides vision screenings and vouchers for complimentary eye examinations and spectacles for eligible Plastic Bank collection members.
CooperVision and Plastic Bank have been partners since the initiative’s start in 2021. A mini-documentary series filmed on site in Indonesia highlights different aspects of the collaboration, with an episode available now and more to come at www.CooperVision.com/Bali.
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As a world leader in soft contact lenses, CooperVision is continuously taking steps in manufacturing and distribution to operate more sustainability, striving to eliminate waste to reduce environmental impact. This includes efforts that extend well beyond net plastic neutrality. The company has a strong track record of sustainable manufacturing and operations resulting in award-winning conservation efforts in Puerto Rico and prestigious sustainability certifications in Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S. At the center of CooperVision’s sustainability platform is its commitment to design with intention and embrace innovation as a means for caring for People + Planet.
