CSWD Collaborates with ‘Astronomers Without Borders’ to Give Solar Eclipse Glasses Another Use

Post-Eclipse Glasses Collection Throughout Chittenden County

South Burlington, VT – In anticipation of the upcoming solar eclipse event on April 8, 2024, Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) is proud to announce its collaboration with Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) to prevent solar eclipse glasses from being thrown away and instead give them a chance to be reused.

As excitement builds for this rare celestial event, many folks across the state and country have acquired solar eclipse glasses to safely view this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. However, once the eclipse is over, these glasses often end up discarded, contributing to unnecessary waste. In keeping with its mission to help our community reduce, reuse and divert as much waste as possible from the landfill, CSWD is excited to join forces with Astronomers Without Borders.

Through this partnership, CSWD will establish collection points at many events throughout the county, including all six of the CSWD Drop-Off Centers, where community members and visitors can drop off their used solar eclipse glasses. These glasses will then be collected by AWB for reuse at future eclipse events all over the world. In the past, AWB has sent solar glasses to folks in Africa, Asia, North and South America who may not otherwise have a safe way to view annular and total solar eclipses safely.

“At CSWD, we are always looking for new and creative ways to help our community to properly manage and reduce waste. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement. By working together with Astronomers Without Borders, we can ensure that these glasses are available for reuse at another point in time and that is truly exciting for us to be a part of.”

Sarah Reeves, Executive Director, CSWD

“The 2024 total solar eclipse will be witnessed by more people than any previous event in history, predominantly utilizing safe viewing glasses. This presents a remarkable opportunity, facilitated by local organizations nationwide, to gather, vet, and preserve as many glasses as possible from ending up in landfills, so that schools in underserved communities across the world can safely enjoy watching future eclipses,” said Zoe Chee, Manager of the AWB Eclipse Glasses Recycling Program. “We are delighted to spearhead this initiative, aiming to extend eclipse viewing access to those who may otherwise be excluded, courtesy of the collection centers, and the countless individuals contributing their glasses.”

Collection bins will be located at all six CSWD Drop-Off Centers (Burlington, South Burlington, Essex, Hinesburg, Milton and Williston) as well as at many local libraries and the following event locations:

• Essex Resort & Spa
• Jules on the Green (Essex Junction)
• Town of Shelburne
• University of Vermont
• Hula Lakeside, Burlington
• City of Burlington
• Waterfront Park
• Battery Park
• Roosevelt Park
• Leddy Park
• Oakledge Park

“We’re really grateful for CSWD’s collaboration with Astronomers Without Borders. This eclipse will be a once-in-a-lifetime event for most residents and visitors to the region. While Hello Burlington and others have worked hard to get glasses distributed to as many people as possible, it’s great to know that they won’t be spending a lifetime in a landfill, but will be reused and repurposed in the future,” said Jeff Lawson, Director of Hello Burlington.

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The Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) is a municipality created by our member Towns and Cities to manage the solid waste generated within Chittenden County in an environmentally sound, efficient, effective and economical manner.

Media Contact:

Beth Parent
Community Engagement and Outreach Manager
802-578-2776
bparent@cswd.net