The 2024 total solar eclipse is here. Donate, recycle, or keep your viewing glasses after.

Marina Johnson, Indianapolis Star
·2 min read
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The 2024 total solar eclipse is just hours away, and viewers of the rare phenomenon will need eclipse glasses to see it. To stay safe, eclipse glasses are a must, but what do you do with them once the event passes?

A mother watches the solar eclipse where her two teenage children in 2017 in Massachusetts. The glasses they're wearing are highly recommended for skygazers who want to avoid damaging their retinas during Monday's celestial event.
A mother watches the solar eclipse where her two teenage children in 2017 in Massachusetts. The glasses they're wearing are highly recommended for skygazers who want to avoid damaging their retinas during Monday's celestial event.

More: 2024 solar eclipse Eclipse time is here! When is today's 2024 total solar eclipse? What's the path of totality?

You can either keep them, donate them, or recycle them. Here's how:

Donate your eclipse glasses from April 8 total solar eclipse

Donate to Astronomers Without Borders. After the 2017 total solar eclipse, the organization collected thousands of glasses for distribution in South America, Asia and Africa. The group has been donating eclipse glasses for eclipses since 2008 and Warby Parker is a collection partner.

According to USA Today, Heather Eracleous, founder of Astronomers Without Borders, also owns Vessel Refillery FW, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Here, residents can refill empty bottles of household goods and personal care supplies. Click here to learn more.

Donate to Eclipse Glasses USA. The organization offers two programs, "The 5 for 1 Program," where one pair of glasses is donated to a school in Latin America for every five-pack purchased, and the "Eclipse Give Back" program. The give-back program sends glasses to school children in countries where they aren't as easily accessible. Click here for more.

Recycle eclipse glasses from the 2024 solar eclipse

If your viewing glasses are damaged and can't be donated, recycle them. The arms can be recycled but the lenses must be removed, according to the University of Rochester.

Keep your eclipse glasses from 2024 total solar eclipse

Feel free to keep your eclipse glasses as a memento from the occurrence or for future use. According to Eclipse2024.org, eclipse glasses in compliance with the ISO 12312-2 safety standard that remain unscratched, unpunctured, and untorn can be reused indefinitely.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What to do with eclipse glasses after the 2024 total solar eclipse