In many cities across the United States, the solar eclipse will experience totality for an average of 3.5 to 4 minutes, but your eclipse glasses can live much longer by donating them to Astronomers Without Borders.

These glasses are recycled across the globe for educational programs and communities in need.

Since 2008, Astronomers Without Borders has sent solar glasses to people in Africa, Asia and South America. Their goal is to provide these eye protectors to people who do not have access to viewing the eclipse safely. 

After the 2017 Great American Eclipse, a few hundred thousand eclipse glasses out of millions of donations were approved for reusability. Now, seven years later, AWB is aiming to reach these numbers once again.

Donation sites for the 2024 eclipse include more than 240 Warby Parker retail outlets across the U.S., and a few state-specific sites in Indiana, Ohio and Vermont. More information about these locations can be found on AWB’s website.

In 2027, AWB said it hopes to help equip the total solar eclipse in Northern Africa and the Middle East, continuing to mitigate landfill waste and increase accessibility to science.

You can help Astronomy Without Borders continue carrying out its mission, by donating to their Eclipse Glasses Recycling Campaign.

This site is not managed by Spectrum News.