"Eye City eco project" signs agreement with Ami Town, Inashiki District, Ibaraki Prefecture - First agreement with a municipality in the prefecture

HOYA Corporation Eye Care Company (Business location: Nakano-ku, Tokyo), which operates the contact lens specialty store "Eye City," signed an "Agreement on the Collection of Empty Disposable Contact Lens Cases" with Ami Town, Inashiki District, Ibaraki Prefecture, on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

This initiative came to fruition through the collaboration of Ami Town, which has "a town that passes on beautiful water and greenery to the next generation" as a basic goal in its comprehensive plan, and the "Eye City eco project," which aims to further build a "circular society (reduce, reuse, recycle)."

The content of this agreement is that Ami Town, Inashiki District, Ibaraki Prefecture, will disseminate information and conduct collection activities regarding our efforts to collect empty disposable contact lens cases, and widely raise awareness among its residents about plastic waste reduction and resource recycling. We will continue to promote the "Eye City eco project" so that our company can contribute, even in a small way, to the efforts to realize an SDGs society that is expanding worldwide.

【Agreement Outline】

・ Agreement Name: "Agreement on the Collection of Empty Disposable Contact Lens Cases"

・ Agreement Date: Thursday, March 19, 2026

・ Collection Points: Ami Town Hall Front Entrance Vestibule, Uzura Branch Office, General Health and Welfare Center, Central Community Center,

Kasumi Community Center, Kimihara Community Center, Funashima Fureai Center, Hongo Fureai Center, Minoru Fureai Center, Yoshiwara Exchange Center, Ami Junior High School, Asahi Junior High School, Chikurai Junior High School, Kasumigaura High School, Ibaraki University Faculty of Agriculture, Ibaraki Prefectural University of Health Sciences

*For details, please contact the Ami Town Citizens' Affairs Department, Environmental Division.

・ Division of Roles: Ami Town, Inashiki District, Ibaraki Prefecture | Publicity of the project and promotion of proper disposal / Collection and transportation of collected empty cases

: HOYA Corporation Eye Care Company | Management of collected resources / Provision of collection boxes, etc.

Eye City eco project

The "Eye City eco project" is a recycling initiative that targets recyclable empty disposable contact lens cases, collecting them by placing dedicated collection boxes at approximately 8,800 locations nationwide, including Eye City stores across the country, as well as local governments, companies, and schools that have endorsed the activity. The project aims to contribute to three social causes (1. Environmental conservation through resource recycling of empty cases, 2. Support for the independence and employment of people with disabilities, and 3. Donations to the Japan Eye Bank Association). This activity, the first of its kind in the industry, started in 2010 and is now in its 16th year.

Since its inception, the project has conducted widespread collection activities with the endorsement and cooperation of many organizations, local governments, and customers. After collection, regardless of the purchase store or manufacturer, the empty cases are sold to recycling manufacturers. The proceeds are donated to the Japan Eye Bank Association, a public interest incorporated foundation, to help those who wish to regain their sight. However, the current situation is that approximately 4,000 tons are still disposed of as waste annually. Therefore, we will continue to work to expand the circle of social contribution activities with the cooperation of even more people.

■ Current Number of Participating Organizations (as of February 2026)

- Schools: 3,346 (including elementary, junior high, high school, university, and vocational schools)

- Companies: 1,323 companies, 4,664 locations (including business offices and branches)

- Local Governments: 472 locations (including public facilities)

We are always looking for organizations that can cooperate with our collection activities.

■ Rec...