Alcon Expands Plastic Bank Partnership in 2023 to Further Support Sustainability Efforts

Thursday, May 4 2023 | 14 h 55 min | News, Press Release

Alcon announced the expansion of the partnership with Plastic Bank – an organization that builds recycling ecosystems in under-developed communities to fight plastic pollution while providing collection members with a path out of poverty. For each ton of plastic introduced in the marketplace, Plastic Bank will collect an equivalent amount of ocean-bound plastic in vulnerable coastal communities.

In 2022, Plastic Bank removed more than 649,000 kilograms (kg) of plastic waste from the environment to offset the plastic used by Alcon for select Surgical and Vision Care products. Alcon aims to support the plastic removal of more than 990,000 kg in 2023 – the equivalent of stopping more than 49 million plastic bottles from reaching the ocean this year.

Beyond environmental impact, Alcon’s partnership with Plastic Bank will help more than 330 collection communities globally in 2023. Collection members exchange the plastic they collect for life-improving benefits such as health insurance, grocery vouchers and school supplies.

“While single-use plastics are essential to the safety and convenience of medical products, we strive to minimize their impact on the environment by supporting important initiatives like this program with Plastic Bank,’” said Charles Herget, Head of ESG at Alcon.

In 2022, Plastic Bank’s program with both the Surgical and Vision Care products helped remove the equivalent of more than 32 million plastic bottles.

Click HERE for the full press release.