Not sure what to do with your viewing shades now that the eclipse is over? Here’s how to dispose of them responsibly.
Millions of Americans looked upwards on Monday, April 8 to take in a rare cosmic occurence as the moon fully eclipsed the sun for more than four minutes. Cleveland, which sat on the path of totality, was no exception (click here for photos from eclipse-watching celebrations throughout the city).
Now that the eclipse is behind us, many of us are left holding out eclipse glasses and wondering what to do with them. The easy answer is to simply trash them – which is an option. But what if you want to recycle them?
According to CuyahogaRecycles.org, the materials used in the construction of eclipse-proof lenses render them impossible to recycle via curbside pickup. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t have a second life.
Through a partnership with Astronomers Without Borders, the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District will be collecting used eclipse shades to be repurposed for upcoming solar events both local and worldwide. For more information and to find a collection site near you, visit this link.
Used solar eclipse glasses can also be dropped off at any branch of the Cleveland Public Library or the Cuyahoga County Public Library through April 21.
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