Recycling Eye Drops

Small Drops, Big Impact: Ophthalmology Pioneers’ Landmark Eye Drop Recycling Study

A groundbreaking sustainability project led by University of Alberta researchers has demonstrated a highly feasible, scalable blueprint for reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions in eye care practices nationwide.

The unique pilot study, titled "Small drops, big impact: implementing an eye drop bottle recycling program in a glaucoma clinic," was spearheaded by Dr. Marianne Edwards, a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Alberta, alongside U of A resident Dr. Rahul Moorjani. What began as a local quality improvement (QI) initiative has quickly gained national attention for its potential to transform environmental practices within the field.

Targeting Healthcare's Carbon Footprint

The Canadian healthcare sector is a surprisingly large contributor to climate change, accounting for 5% of the nation’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Crucially, pharmaceuticals alone drive 25% of those healthcare-related emissions, presenting a massive, untapped opportunity for environmental reform.

Ophthalmology depends heavily on chronic topical therapy, meaning millions of patients use eye drops daily. This generates massive quantities of small, plastic eye drop bottles that inevitably enter the waste stream. Despite this ongoing waste, no organized recycling program for these specific medical

To address this gap, this pilot project set out to determine whether a structured eye drop bottle recycling program in a subspecialty glaucoma clinic is feasible and scalable, and whether it could offer measurable environmental benefits over standard landfill disposal.

From Local Initiative to National Spotlight

The project's journey highlights its growing impact within the medical community. It was initially selected as a poster presentation at the 2025 Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) annual meeting. Dr. Moorjani also presented the findings at the University of Alberta’s Ophthalmology Grand Rounds and Research Day during the 2024/2025 academic year.

Most recently, the study achieved a major milestone by being published as a Research Letter in the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology (CJO), Canada’s premier, internationally recognized peer-reviewed journal for eye specialists. Dr. Moorjani serves as the first author on the publication, with Dr. Edwards as the corresponding senior author.

Supported in part by funding for bottle recycling from industry partner Bausch + Lomb, the study directly tackled the unique logistical hurdles of medical plastic waste.

High Impact, Minimal Disruption

What makes this initiative stand out is its position as the first of its kind in this specific area of medicine. The pilot program proved that a targeted plastic bottle recycling initiative could thrive in a busy clinical setting.

According to the research team, the program generated strong patient engagement and required minimal disruption to existing clinic workflows—proving that environmental responsibility does not have to come at the cost of clinical efficiency or patient care.

Scaling Up for Global Benefit

While the pilot focused on local implementation, its implications are vast. The study concludes that if scaled across Canada or implemented globally, even modest adoption of similar plastic recycling programs could translate into substantial, cumulative reductions in plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions compared to standard landfill disposal.

The success of the project marks a proud moment for the University of Alberta's Ophthalmology training program. Dr. Moorjani has since graduated from the U of A residency program and completed a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology at the Baylor College of Medicine.

As the medical community looks for tangible ways to reduce its carbon footprint, Dr. Edwards and Dr. Moorjani’s research offers a clear, actionable path forward, proving that small changes in daily clinic operations can yield significant rewards for the planet.