What to do with your solar eclipse glasses

What can you do with your solar eclipse glasses now that the eclipse has passed?

You can hold onto them as a keepsake of the event, but several organizations are also collecting them so that they can be donated to others for a future eclipse.

Barrhaven West Coun. David Hill said on social media that people can drop off their used glasses at his ward office at 100 Malvern Dr. Hill told CTV News Ottawa he is collecting the glasses until the end of May and will send them to an organization called Eclipse Glasses USA, which will donate them to children in Latin America for an upcoming annular eclipse (where the moon does not totally obscure the sun) that passes over parts of South America on Oct. 2, 2024.

"I am not sure if others are doing the same, but I am happy to take anyone's glasses or if someone wants to collect for their neighbourhood and then drop them off with me," Hill told CTV News Ottawa in an email.

• If you are an organization collecting used solar eclipse glasses in Ottawa for donation, email [e-mail] to be included in this article.

The City of Ottawa says there is no formal collection by the City, but offers this advice for what to do with the glasses.

"Before tossing this item in the garbage, please consider if it could be reused. A family member, friend, school or organization may be able to use this and keep it out of the landfill. Before donating items, please check with the organization first to see if they have any conditions. Reusing is an important waste reduction strategy! For more information, visit Ottawa.ca/wastereduction."

Ottawa Public Library (OPL) says residents are welcome to return their solar eclipse glasses at any branch in the city to give them another life. OPL will give the collected glasses to Astronomers Without Borders.

"Bring them to any OPL branch or bookmobile stop by April 30," said OPL on X.

According to Eclipse Glasses USA, you can donate used glasses by mailing them to the following address:

Eclipse Glasses USA, LLC
PO Box 50571
Provo, UT 84605

Another organization collecting used eclipse glasses is Astronomers Without Borders. According to the organization, it collects gently used glasses, inspects them for wear and tear, and donates useable glasses to underserved communities and schools around the world for future eclipses.

The Orleans United Church located at 1111 Orleans Boulevard is collecting glasses and donating them to Astronomers Without Borders. There is a collection bin outside the church and can be dropped off 24/7.

The next total solar eclipse will pass over parts of Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia and Portugal on Aug. 12, 2026, according to NASA. A partial eclipse will be visible in Europe, Africa, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean on that date.

• READ MORE: Can't get enough of the total solar eclipse or got clouded out? Here are the next ones to watch for

In Kingston, you can donate glasses at the Kingston Visitor Information Centre at 209 Ontario St. until April 19. The glasses are being collected on behalf of Queen's University and will be donated to Astronomers Without Borders. Utilities Kingston is also collecting used glasses at its office at 85 Lappan's Ln between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. The glasses will be sent to Astronomers Without Borders.

Astronomers Without Borders says residents in Cornwall, Ont. can drop off their glasses at Cornwall Fire Services, 10 4th St. W. for donation.

The Brockville and District Shrine Club is collecting used glasses from residents in Brockville at 16 Reynold Dr. on Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. You can also mail them directly to:

Brockville and District Shrine Club
16 Reynold Dr.
Brockville, Ont.
K6V 1W7

All eclipse glasses must be received by April 30 to ensure they can be distributed in time for the solar eclipse on Oct. 2.

A collection is also being taken up at the Brockville PetValu at C-2539 Parkedale Ave. before April 25. 

Residents of Cardinal, Ont. can send their glasses to the Cardinal Festival, P.O. Box 849 Cardinal, Ont. K0E 1E0.

In Carleton Place, you can drop off your glasses at the Carleton Place Gallery, 210 Bridge St. or at Earthfest 2024 in Carleton Place on April 20.