OCEANSIDE, Calif.—Vision West Inc. (VWI) has announced the company’s commitment to eco-friendly business practices starting in 2008.

The group will launch a ‘Going Green’ initiative, developing a program with what it calls Eye-Eco Premium Vendor programs, to help independent eyecare providers save more money in their practices.

Joseph Mallinger, OD, CEO of VWI said, “Our ‘green initiative’ is in keeping with our company’s 20-year history of serving the independent eyecare practitioner. We are very proud to be affiliated with our sponsoring Eye-Eco Premium Vendor Partners.”

The first ‘green’ cause in the year-long program is to help reduce pollution caused by plastic bags. Vision West developed its own environmentally friendly, reusable Eco-Tote that will be distributed to all VWI members. The Eco-Tote is sponsored by Carl Zeiss Vision, Empire Optical, Essilor, Hilco, ClearVision, Odyssey, Rudy Project and WileyX.

According to Cathy Ives, VWI’s sales and marketing manager, “The days of plastic bags are over. With this Eco-Tote, our members can take part in ‘saving the planet, one bag at a time’ by helping to keep plastic bags out of the landfills and oceans.” Ives told VMail, “Our focus this year is ‘Goin Green, Makin’ Green and Savin’ Green.’ Throughout the year, we’ll be proving savings tips that are also good for the environment. And we’ll be launching a national campaign, ‘Take the Eye Eco Challenge.’”

VWI and its Eye-Eco Premium Vendors are also sponsoring educational events. The group just did a four-city practice management series in California and has added CE for optometrists through Southern California College of Optometry on VWI’s Web site, a program which will be expanded. Through 2008, VWI will provide its members with valuable information on recycling and reducing waste in the practice, to add more profits to the optical office.

VWI is a leading optical purchasing group for independent ECPs and is officially endorsed as the Preferred Buying Group of the California Optometric Association, as well as state associations in Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New York, Maine, and other vision care groups in the U.S.