BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Your eclipse glasses may have found new life halfway across the world.
We all remember that magical day in April made possible by eclipse glasses. Now, they’ll be worn by other spectators who never could’ve looked up without you.
While millions across America had their eyes on the sky this spring, a small group of astronomers plotted for post-totality.
“The thought was would we be able to ask the American public to collect and send them to us,” said Zoe Che of Astronomers Without Borders.
Astronomers Without Borders works with about 500 sites across North America to collect and reuse eclipse glasses.
Several of those sites are here in Vermont, and this spring, partner Chittenden Solid Waste District diverted over 115,000 glasses from the landfill.
“We were so energized to see folks just coming in, day after day, bringing their glasses, having people sign up to be collection sites,” said Beth Parent of CSWD.
In total, Astronomers Without Borders collected 2 million sets of glasses following April’s eclipse – setting aside 1 million for future use.
People in Morocco, South Africa, Spain, and the United Kingdom – who otherwise couldn’t safely view the eclipse like we did – will see the same sky, in the glasses you wore.
That experience can change lives.
“You gave me these glasses, and I want to go into science now,” said Che.
CSWD recently won an award from the Northeast Recycling Council for their glasses collection.
They say they couldn’t do it without the Vermonters who chose to reuse rather than trash their glasses.
“It was really a powerful thing, and this is really a community award,” said Parent.
As long as people go the extra mile to donate their glasses AWB says the phenomenon never really ends.
“It’s so amazing to think that, oh my gosh, like, I’ve made an impact somewhere else. You know, that individuals from over here are seeing the same thing as somebody else in another time,” said Che.
The next total solar eclipse will be visible in 2026 in lucky pockets around the world. Vermont won’t see another total eclipse until 2079.