SAN RAMON, Calif.—CooperVision and Plastic Bank, a Vancouver, British Columbia-based social impact organization, have renewed their net plastic neutrality partnership through 2026. With the extension, the partnership has expanded to include a vision care program to provide vision screenings and vouchers for complimentary eye exams and glasses for eligible Plastic Bank collection members in Indonesia, who are essential to CooperVision’s net plastic neutral partnership with Plastic Bank, the company announced. 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 27 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Since the inception of CooperVision's relationship with Plastic Bank, the effort has prevented the equivalent of more than 305 million plastic bottles from entering the oceans, and through the extension, CooperVision said it expects to more than double the total impact of its net plastic neutrality initiative with Plastic Bank by the end of 2026.

“The first three years of our partnership with Plastic Bank have had a significant impact in not only helping clean coastal communities by recycling plastic waste, but also in improving the livelihoods and economic stability of collection members,” said Aldo Zucaro, senior director of corporate responsibility at CooperCompanies. “As a global leader in contact lenses, CooperVision is committed to helping improve the way people see each day. Our collaboration with Plastic Bank now enables us to provide vision correction for qualifying collection members who are making a difference by removing plastic from the environment and oceans, which truly embodies our passion for supporting people and planet.”

By the end of 2026, hundreds of collection members in Indonesia will be eligible to receive vision screenings through the new vision care program, according to the announcement.

“At Plastic Bank, we envision a wasteless world and are committed to empowering communities and local entrepreneurs to end poverty,” said David Katz, founder of Plastic Bank. “Collection members have limited access to basic eyecare, and for many, this will be the first time they have received vision screenings and necessary vision correction. We know that vision impairment can affect quality of life, independence and mobility. Working with CooperVision is not only bringing significant social benefits to our communities, but it is also bringing our vision of ending poverty to life.”

The expanded partnership coincides with the refresh of CooperVision’s sustainability website, which focuses on reducing its carbon footprint, removing waste from its processes, and reframing the company’s relationship with plastic, including considering ways to make plastic better.

“By simply prescribing and wearing CooperVision net plastic-neutral contact lenses, eyecare professionals and wearers are helping us in our commitment to sustainability—from our partnership with Plastic Bank, which focuses on improving communities through waste reclamation, to recycle and reuse our own manufacturing waste, to sourcing responsibly,” said Zucaro.

Learn more about CooperVision’s sustainability platform here.