CooperVision reports 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. This happened through a global partnership between CooperVision and Plastic Bank®.*1
“Ahead of Earth Day, we are thrilled to celebrate this incredible accomplishment. Practitioners and wearers who choose CooperVision net plastic neutral contact lenses†‡2 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,” *1 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.” *1
PARTNERSHIP WITH PLASTIC BANK
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. These are sold and distributed across 34 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.§3
“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.à3 In exchange for the ocean-bound plastic waste they collect, adults receive credits to purchase goods and services. These include health, work and life insurance, digital connectivity, grocery vouchers, school supplies, and more.à3,4 CooperVision also provides vision screenings and vouchers for complimentary eye examinations and spectacles for eligible Plastic Bank collection members.5
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. View the first episode now with more to come at www.CooperVision.com/Bali.
MORE INFORMATION
*CooperVision, through its collaboration with Plastic Bank, to have collected and converted approximately 10.26M kg of plastic destined for waterways as of April 2025. Using Plastic Bank’s metric of 1kg of plastic equaling 50 standard 202mm bottles, that will be the equivalent of approximately 513M plastic bottles not reaching our oceans.
† clariti® 1 day, MyDay® daily disposable, Biofinity®, and MiSight® 1 day orders includes products sold and distributed by CooperVision in participating countries.
‡ Net plastic neutrality is established by purchasing credits from Plastic Bank. A credit represents the collection and conversion of one kilogram of plastic that may reach or be destined for waterways. CooperVision purchases credits equal to the weight of plastic in clariti® 1 day, MyDay® daily disposable, Biofinity®, and MiSight® 1 day orders in a specified time period. clariti® 1 day, MyDay® daily disposable, Biofinity®, and MiSight® 1 day plastic is determined by the weight of plastic in the blister, the lens, and the secondary package, including laminates, adhesives, and auxiliary inputs (e.g. ink).
§ Plastic used in participating CooperVision soft contact lens products is determined by the weight of plastic in the blister, the lens, and the secondary package, including laminates, adhesives, and auxiliary inputs (e.g. ink). The determination does not include plastic used during the manufacturing process for both these products and their packaging.
à Plastic Bank collection members are paid in digital currency based on the weight of the plastic they collect. The digital currency can be exchanged for resources, such as groceries and education.
¶ Combination of 2022 market research based on global volume data and internal estimates.
**Zero Waste Program Certification is obtained through SCS Global Services, an international leader in third-party certification, validation, and verification for environmental sustainability.
REFERENCES
- CVI data on file as of 04/2025.
- CVI data on file, 2022.
- CVI data on file, 2024.
- How Plastic Bank Works. A Social Fintech | About Us | Plastic Bank. Accessed March 18, 2025.
- Plastic Bank data on file, 2024.
- CVI data on file, 2023.
- CooperVision. CooperVision Production Site Receives Environmental Sustainability and Occupational Health & Safety Honors. https://coopervision.com/our-
company/news-center/press- release/coopervision- production-site-receives- environmental. Accessed March 18, 2025. - SCS Global Services Certificate Nos. SCS-ZW-0008, SCS-ZW-0011, SCS-ZW-0012, SCS-ZW-0014, SCS-ZW-0018, SCS-ZW-0019.
Feature photo: Planet Earth, Getty Images
