Monday’s full eclipse has passed, but the glasses millions of Americans used to safely gaze at the astronomical phenomenon still work. They can be recycled, saved or donated.
Eclipse glasses are much darker than your standard pair of sunglasses, designed to make gazing at the sun less dangerous than usual.
Glasses made to the newest standards can be used forever, so long as they’re in good condition, the American Astronomical Society explained on its website.
“Some glasses/viewers are printed with warnings stating that you shouldn’t look through them for more than three minutes at a time and that you should discard them if they are more than three years old. Such warnings are outdated and do not apply to eclipse viewers compliant with the [most recent] standard and in excellent condition,” the AAS wrote.
Multiple organizations are taking donations of these used glasses for future eclipses.
Astronomers Without Borders, for example, has a national partnership with Warby Parker, a retailer that accepts eclipse glasses any time before April 30.
Eclipse Glasses USA, a supplier of eyewear approved by the AAS, is taking donations by mail at P.O. Box 50571, Provo, Utah, 84605.
“We invite individuals and organizations to donate their used eclipse glasses so that they can be repurposed for future eclipse events in other parts of the world. By doing so, we aim to foster a love for astronomy and science among young minds,” Eclipse Glasses USA said on its website.
For those who choose to toss the glasses, the cardboard can be recycled once the lenses are removed.