HOUSTON —
THE QUESTION
Can you recycle used eclipse glasses? That's the question our VERIFY team looked into after seeing comments on Reddit and other social media sites.
THE SOURCES
University of Rochester
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Astronomers Without Borders
The City of Houston's Solid Waste Management Department
THE ANSWER
Now that the Great American Eclipse has come and gone, what can you do with your eclipse glasses if you're not planning on holding on to them until 2044?
If you want to recycle them, the City of Houston said you can remove and throw away the lenses and recycle the cardboard.
There are also options if you choose to donate them, according to the American Academy of Opthalmology.
In the Houston area, Astronomers Without Borders is collecting undamaged glasses at Warby Parker. You can also send them to Eclipse Glasses USA.
The recycling programs will help people around the world who likely wouldn't be able to safely watch eclipses.
ECLIPSE GLASSES USA DONATION PROGRAMS
We only accept US-made paperboard glasses that have the manufacturer's address and contact info and that bear the ISO logo. All others will be discarded due to liability and quality issues.
Lenses must be in good condition, without perforations, tears, or punctures that would allow radiation to penetrate through to the user's eyes. Damaged lenses will be discarded.
All shipments will be opened and inspected before being repackaged for outbound shipment. Damaged or unusable glasses will be discarded.
Glasses can be shipped via USPS First-Class Mail (super inexpensive) in an envelope. For larger quantities, please consult your local post office for the most cost effective ways to ship.
We do not provide prepaid labels.
You can mail them to:
Eclipse Glasses USA, LLC
PO BOX 50571
Provo, UT 84605