The total solar eclipse of 2024 is in the books! Since we don't have another total solar eclipse coming to the contiguous United States (that's the U.S., not counting Hawaii and Alaska) for another 20 years, you might wondering what to do with your free solar glasses.
Of course, you can hang onto them for the next two decades, or there's many easy ways to donate them, as opposed to just trashing them. Before you donate your used solar eclipse glasses, make sure they do not have scratches, tears, or punctures in the lenses as this can make them unsafe to use. Here's where you can donate them and how it works.
Where to donate your solar glasses
These places are all accepting used solar glasses.
Astronomer Without Borders
Since 2008, Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) has donated tens of thousands of undamaged solar eclipse glasses to those (in South America, Asia, and Africa) who don't have a way to view an eclipse safely. Warby Parker is one of their partners that accepts used solar glasses for donations. You can drop off your pair at any of the 240+ Warby Parker locations before April 30, 2024.
AWB has also teamed up with hundreds of libraries, schools, museums, city governments, and other businesses across the country that will take your solar glasses. We suggest reaching out to where you picked up your free solar glasses or local library, etc. for more collection information.
Eclipse Glasses USA
Eclipse Glasses USA has a donation program for solar eclipse glasses. You can donate your undamaged solar glasses to their Eclipse Give Back program which donates gently-used solar eclipse glasses to schools in Latin America. To donate your solar glasses, you'll need to send them in an envelope via USPS First-Class mail to:
Eclipse Glasses USA, LLC PO Box 50571 Provo, UT 84605
How to recycle your solar eclipse glasses
If you're unable to donate your glasses, do the planet a favor and recycle them! If your frames are paper or cardboard simply remove the plastic lenses and throw your paper frames into a recycling bin. The plastic lenses are not recyclable so you'll have to throw those away.
What to know about the next Total Solar Eclipse in 2044 and 2045
For those who are hanging on to their solar glasses (outside of a total solar eclipse in remote Alaska on March 30, 2033), you'll have to wait until in 2024 and 2025 to use them for the next total solar eclipse in the lower 48 states. Here's the scoop:
In 2044, the total solar eclipse will take place on August 22 in the U.S. The only states that will experience totality are Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
One year later, in 2025, another total solar eclipse will happen on August 12. This total solar eclipse will make its way across the country from Northern California to Florida.
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