Specsavers expands recycling boxes roll-out for unwanted glasses, case and contact lens packaging

Specsavers is funding a full national roll-out of its recycling boxes across all of its UK stores, offering customers the chance to responsibly offload their unwanted glasses, case and contact lens packaging.  

The boxes are provided in partnership with MyGroup, which allows hard to recycle plastic that would otherwise end up in landfill to be separated, sorted and recycled. It then transforms the recycled materials into useful products, such as joinery boards and furniture.  

In 2025, Specsavers and MyGroup recycled 72 tonnes of material. The amount, collected from 659 stores and labs, was an almost five tonne increase on the amount recycled in the previous year.  

Head of Sustainability for the UK and Ireland, Helen Curran, says: “We believe that sustainability must show up in our everyday operations. Investing in customer recycling in every one of our UK stores is exactly that: a practical, tangible step that keeps valuable materials in circulation and makes it genuinely easy for our customers to be part of the solution. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of the increased roll out in the years ahead.”

The expansion of the scheme, which began in 2022, means that a further 300 stores will offer recycling facilities.

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Green retail will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.