Lightweight contact lens blister packages and methods for recycling same

A method of recycling a contact lens blister package, said contact lens blister package comprising:

• a thermoplastic base member having a weight from 0.40 g to 0.72 g and comprising a bowl that defines a blister cavity dimensioned to accommodate a contact lens, and a flange projecting away from the blister cavity, the flange having a top surface and a bottom surface, the flange providing a sealing ring region circumscribing the blister cavity at the top surface, and the flange providing a gripping portion configured to be held between a thumb and a finger of a contact lens wearer and further comprising an interlocking feature that comprises a connecting member configured to mechanically fasten the thermoplastic base member to a second thermoplastic base member of another contact lens blister package and wherein the connecting member comprises a hole on the flange;
• a liquid contact lens packaging solution provided in the blister cavity;
• an unworn contact lens located in the contact lens packaging solution in the cavity;
• and
• a sealing member hermetically sealed to the sealing ring region of the thermoplastic base member to maintain the contact lens in a sterile condition, and said method comprising:
• removing the sealing member from the thermoplastic base member;
• removing the contact lens from the blister cavity;
• removing the liquid contact lens packaging solution from the blister cavity;
• coupling two of the thermoplastic base members of two contact lens blister packages by inserting a gripping portion end of one thermoplastic base member into the hole of the second thermoplastic base member to form a thermoplastic base member assembly.