Specs Recycling Project
Visionary Cause: Donate Your Old Spectacles
Spectacles sent to SpecSort - currently total 10,366
Do you have a pair of spectacles lying around, collecting dust and serving no purpose? The Rotary Club of West Fife is keen to rescue these neglected eyewear treasures from the depths of drawers and prevent them from meeting a fate in the landfill.
Introducing the SpecSort Project, a collaboration between the Rotary Club of West Fife, local opticians, and businesses, inspired by the visionary initiative of the Rotary Club of York Ainsty. Instead of bidding farewell to your old glasses, you can now contribute to a meaningful cause by recycling them through this project.
Above: 13th June 2024 and first 2000 spectacles on their way to SpecSort via PhysioNet transportation. Great response after just six weeks!
Under the diligent coordination of Ruth and Colin Perrott, the SpecSort Project ensures that your discarded spectacles find a new lease on life. Once collected, the glasses undergo a meticulous process of sorting, cleaning, and grading. But that's just the beginning of their journey.
These refurbished spectacles embark on a transformative voyage to Africa, where they become invaluable aids to those in need. Through the efforts of dedicated volunteers from the UK, diagnostic clinics are set up, and the glasses are distributed to communities across various African nations.
Optometrist extraordinaire, Ruth Perrott, embodies the spirit of this noble endeavour. With over twelve impactful trips to the African continent under her belt, Ruth has left an indelible mark, providing eyewear and empowering communities in countries such as Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Malawi, Tanzania, and Senegal. The mission extends to remote hospitals, where outreach programs bring vision to rural communities, bridging the gap between accessibility and necessity.
So, if you find yourself with redundant or unwanted spectacles, don't hesitate. Simply drop them off at any of our collection points, and let Rotary take care of the rest.
Collection points will be added but currently spectacles can be left at:-
Specsavers, 131 High Street, Dunfermline
Ferrier & MacKinnon, 27 Chalmers Street, Dunfermline
Ferrier & MacKinnon, 129 High Street, Burntisland
Ferrier & Mackinnon, The Square, Inverkeithing
Ferrier & MacKinnon, 129 High Street, Burntisland
Ferrier & Mackinnon, The Square, Inverkeithing
Spex in the City, 6 Bridge Street, Dunfermline
Crossford Pharmacy, 61 Main Street, Crossford
Rach Optometrists, 8 Lyon Square, Glenrothes
Rach Optometrists, 8 Lyon Square, Glenrothes
Your small act of kindness could make a world of difference to someone's vision and quality of life. Join us in shaping a brighter future, one pair of glasses at a time.
The second delivery of 3240 spectacles were sent south to SpecSort in December 2024.
Above: 5126 recycled spectacles were sent to sort at Rotary Club of York Ainsty in July 2025
Remember too, the Rotary Club of West Fife is always on the lookout for new members. If you are looking for a new challenge, why not give Rotary a try? Find out more at www.rcwf.co.uk or email info@rcwf.co.uk
