Bausch + Lomb Corporation announced in a press release its ONE by ONE Recycling program, created in collaboration with TerraCycle, has collected a total of 691,180 pounds, or 114,037,136 units, of used contact lens, eye care and lens care materials in the United States—the equivalent of more than 2.2 million baseballs, according to the press release.

Due to their small size and type of plastic, these materials aren’t accepted in local recycling facilities and may inadvertently end up in landfills or waterways, according to Bausch + Lomb, Additionally, these materials are often overlooked, given how commonplace they are today.

The company also points out in the press release that in the US, it is estimated that 6 to 10 metric tons of contact lenses end up in wastewater each year, which can pollute aquatic environments and eventually impact the human food supply. The ONE by ONE Recycling program helps ensure these materials are properly recycled and do not end up in the environment, says Bausch + Lomb.

“Each America Recycles Day, we celebrate the collective efforts of eyecare professionals, patients and consumers who are helping to properly discard and keep these materials out of the environment,” says Amy Butler, vice president, Global Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability, Bausch + Lomb, in the press release. “Thanks to their commitment, the ONE by ONE Recycling program keeps growing and making a more meaningful impact every year.” OM