CooperVision, one of the leading global contact lens manufacturers, has become a recognized name in environmental responsibility. The company has made sustainability part of its identity, taking real steps to reduce waste, save water, and use clean energy across its global operations.
They include producing the first net-plastic neutral contact lenses in the United States and distributing plastic-neutral daily lenses in Australia and New Zealand. These commitments align with growing consumer expectations, especially among younger generations who value sustainability when choosing products.
Here’s a closer look at how CooperVision is setting new standards in sustainable manufacturing and community impact.
Going Beyond the Three Rs
CooperVision’s sustainability strategy focuses on reducing, reusing, and recycling but the company takes these actions further than simple slogans. It recycles over 95% of materials used in production, including wood, cardboard, oil, and paper, and reuses plastic components and cardboard containers multiple times before recycling them.
Many of its facilities also operate as zero-waste-to-landfill sites and compost organic waste.
Award highlight: The CooperVision manufacturing facility in Costa Rica earned the LEED® Silver certification in 2019, making it the only contact lens plant in the world with that distinction for environmentally conscious design and operation.
Smarter Water Conservation
Water conservation is a major priority for CooperVision. The company continuously works to lower its water use, implement reuse systems, and protect local water supplies near its plants.
Key initiatives include:
- Using harvested rainwater for climate control and lavatories.
- Reusing manufacturing process water in cooling towers at its Puerto Rico facility.
- Cutting municipal water use in Puerto Rico by 35% since 2015, saving 1.4 million gallons of wastewater.
Award highlight: CooperVision received the Pre-Treatment Excellence Compliance Award from the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) in 2019 for its water-saving achievements.
Investing in Clean Energy
Reducing energy consumption and using renewable sources is another core part of CooperVision’s plan. Many of its sites now operate on renewable electricity, solar, hydroelectric, wind, biomass, or geothermal.
For instance, its Rochester, New York operations use 100% wind-based electricity, while the UK facility runs on 100% biomass-powered energy.
Other efforts include:
- Incorporating natural light in common areas.
- Using high-efficiency lighting systems in production and distribution centres.
- Installing smart building systems and motion-sensitive lighting to cut waste.
Empowering People to Make a Difference
CooperVision believes sustainability starts with people. The company motivates employees, customers, and local communities to take action for the planet through education and involvement.
Examples include:
- Designing the Costa Rica facility to support public transportation and motorcycles.
- Encouraging employees to volunteer for community clean-ups and environmental projects.
- Partnering with local schools to teach recycling and conservation.
- Preserving natural land to protect biodiversity.
CooperVision’s environmental initiatives show how innovation in the eye care industry can go hand in hand with protecting the planet.
If sustainability influences your lens choices, CooperVision is leading the way in producing contact lenses that support both your eye health and the environment.
FAQs About CooperVision
1. What does plastic-neutral mean in contact lenses?
Plastic-neutral means that for every unit of plastic used to make the lenses, an equal amount of plastic waste is collected and recycled, balancing the company’s plastic footprint.
2. Which CooperVision products are plastic-neutral?
CooperVision’s one-day lenses distributed in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand are now plastic-neutral, helping reduce waste without compromising quality or comfort.
3. How does CooperVision conserve water during production?
The company reuses water in cooling systems, uses harvested rainwater for facilities, and continuously monitors consumption to protect local water resources.
4. What type of renewable energy does CooperVision use?
CooperVision facilities operate using renewable sources such as wind, hydroelectric, solar, and biomass power to reduce emissions and lower energy waste.
5. How does CooperVision engage employees in sustainability?
Employees participate in environmental programs, use eco-friendly transportation, and volunteer in community clean-ups and conservation projects.
