With the solar eclipse over, Bucks County locations accepting used glasses. Here's why

Michele Haddon, Bucks County Courier Times
·2 min read

With the solar eclipse behind us, you might be wondering what to do with all those glasses.

Instead of tossing all of them into the trash, considering putting your protective eyewear to good use by donating them to help others.

In preparation for future eclipses taking place in other countries, some businesses and organizations have set up collections to help people in other parts of the world safely experience these rare celestial events.

Giselle Poveda, of Philadelphia, views the solar eclipse, on April 8, 2024, at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Upper Makefield.
Giselle Poveda, of Philadelphia, views the solar eclipse, on April 8, 2024, at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Upper Makefield.

Before donating, inspect your solar eclipse glasses to ensure they are properly certified and in good condition. For glasses to be considered reusable they should be free of any scratches, punctures and tears.

Here are a few ways to get your gently used glasses to the right places:

Ship your gently used solar eclipse glasses for donation

Eclipse Glasses USA, LLC, a company based in Utah, is accepting donations through its Give-Back Program with plans to distribute glasses to schools in Latin America for the upcoming annular solar eclipse that will pass over parts of the Pacific Ocean, southern Chile and southern Argentina on Oct. 2.

The deadline for donations is Aug. 1 and can be sent to Eclipse Glasses USA, LLC at PO Box 50571, Provo, UT 84605.

Astronomers without Borders, a nonprofit in California, is also accepting donations of gently used solar eclipse glasses to send to underserved communities and schools internationally for use in future solar eclipses.

They have partnered with organizations and businesses across the U.S., including Warby Parker,  to offer local collection sites, which are listed here.

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Local drop off locations in Bucks County for used solar eclipse glasses

Dayaan Syed and Zille Hume of Croydon, Pa. Wear solar eclipse glasses as they watch during a solar eclipse Monday, April 08, 2024 at Grundy Library in Bristol, Pennsylvania. In the Philadelphia area, only 90% of the sun will be covered by the moon’s shadow.
Dayaan Syed and Zille Hume of Croydon, Pa. Wear solar eclipse glasses as they watch during a solar eclipse Monday, April 08, 2024 at Grundy Library in Bristol, Pennsylvania. In the Philadelphia area, only 90% of the sun will be covered by the moon’s shadow.

The following businesses and organizations in Bucks and Montgomery counties have set up local drop-off boxes to collect donations of gently used solar eclipse glasses to be sent to Eclipse Glasses USA:

Evolution Candy: 45 E. State St., Doylestown; Daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Ends April 30.

St. Cyril of Jerusalem Catholic Church: 1410 Almshouse Road, Jamison; Sunday to Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ends June 1.

Krystal Clear Vision: 5667 York Road, Lahaska; Tuesday to Saturday during business hours. Ends June 30.

Dtown Tech: 17 E. Oakland Ave., Doylestown; Monday to Saturday during business hours. Ends April 30.

North Wales Area Library: 233 S. Swartley St., North Wales; Monday to Saturday during business hours. Ends April 30.

Know of a collection site we missed? Submit the name of the location, address, hours and end date to mhaddon@gannett.com.

Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, economic development, community revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please considering supporting local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County businesses accepting used solar eclipse glasses donations