Recycling logo.

Used Eyeglass Collections

Donation boxes are available from the LIF to place in local stores or to use at a Club or community function. When the boxes are full they are picked up by local Lions members and dropped off at collection depots. The public can also support this program by donating used eyeglasses to your local Lions Club.
These recycled eyeglasses are given to people in need, with the help of various medical missionaries, in Central and South America and around the world. When the eyeglasses arrive in these countries, doctors and technicians conduct eye exams and provide a free pair of prescription eyeglasses that are as close as possible to that person’s sight needs.

Additional Collections

There are 2 sizes of containers that are available for collecting recyclables upon request form from the Lions of Illinois Foundation by calling or sending an email to LIFoffice@lifnd.org. Please be sure to add your clubs contact information to the recycling box, so the club can be contacted when the box has been filled.

Suggested locations to place recycling containers are: schools, business offices, vision clinics, audiology clinics, health clubs, local libraries, post offices, and any other high traffic areas.

A Lions member should check the container periodically so that they can give the items to your district depots. Contact your district trustee if you need the location of your depot.

LIF Sneaker Recycling Campaign

The Lions of Illinois Foundation has teamed up with gotsneakers.com to collect used sneakers. Click Here to learn more.

The recycled items help fund programs and services that assist those with vision and hearing needs throughout the state of Illinois.


We are accepting Recycling Donations at the Foundation office:

700 N Peace Road, Suite B
DeKalb, IL 60115

In the back Parking lot

Please see the list of items that we will be accepting

  • Keys
  • Key Fobs
  • Wire
  • Desk Top ink cartridges
  • Brass
  • Eyeglasses – No glass cases, please
  • Sunglasses
  • Pop Tabs
  • Cell Phones/Smart Phones/iPhones
  • Hearing Aids

**We no longer recycle Christmas Lights**

We are asking that HEARING AID BATTERIES be donated throughout your local communities as we are aware of the need there. Some places to donate are: Assisted Living Facilities, Nursing Homes, Food Pantries, Shelters.

When donating HEARING AIDS, please be sure to place them in a small box or hard covered case so they do not get crushed or damaged. You can then place that smaller box into a larger one with other recyclable items. Please protect any CELL PHONES also.

Don’t forget to drop off old KEY FOBS, place them in a separate box from any large amounts of keys so they do not get crushed.

Please keep INK CARTRIDGES in a separate sealed plastic bag as they may ruin other recyclables.

Private Donation of Glasses/Hearing Aids/or Vision-Hearing Equipment

You can either drop off your donation to the foundation office or mail it to the office.
700 Peace Road, Suite B
DeKalb, IL 60178

If you need a “thank you letter” for tax purposes please contact us at, LIFoffice@lifnd.org.


Click here for the current donation form