Austin (Kusan) — For some time Monday, millions of people across the United States will wear special eclipse glasses and look up to the skies to catch the first solar eclipse. total solar eclipse We had for years. But what do you do with those special eclipse glasses when it’s all said and done?
You can hide it in your drawer as a reminder of April 8, 2024, or hide it for the next day. next solar eclipse.
But there is another way to prevent used eclipse glasses from ending up in a landfill. Donate for reuse.
International organization Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) has collected millions of pieces of glass for distribution around the world. This allows people living in the path of a future solar eclipse to safely observe the celestial phenomenon without having to buy a new pair for one-time use.
AWB communications manager Andrew Fazikas said the program began in 2017 ahead of the eclipse.
“It was a huge success at hundreds of collection points across the country, with donations reaching millions of glasses,” Fazikas said. “There are many underserved communities that don’t have access to this safe eyewear. That’s why we’ve provided hundreds of thousands of glasses around the world, including Chile, Argentina, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. Ta.”
Some cities, such as the city of Austin, Texas, have set up AWB recycling boxes to collect this glass.
“[An] “Solar eclipses are rare here in our town, but they happen about every year and a half,” Gilda said at an April 2 city press conference. “There will be a solar eclipse somewhere, but not every community has the same resources as we do. So we share the resources we have and make it a more sustainable experience. I’m going.”
Fazikas said the initiative would help “put a brake on” eclipse waste, but millions of pieces of waste would still have to be thrown away.
“We probably won’t get to everything… We can’t hope to recover everything by any means, and a lot will be damaged,” he said. “But I think we can at least get to that number in the low millions and prevent them from reaching landfills. Well-used glasses are worth saving and can help other people around the world. It’s great to give people the opportunity to experience this.”
warby hoodieIn addition to Free distribution of solar eclipse glasses, then collected and donated to AWB. You can drop off your glasses at any Warby Parker store until the end of April.
It won’t hurt if it hangs on your glasses. A total solar eclipse will not be seen in the United States until 2044, and unless there is damage, eclipse glasses never expire.
by American Academy of Ophthalmologyif you wish, you can also remove the lenses from the glasses and recycle the cardboard frames.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
