Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful is asking people not to throw them away after the eclipse ends. Instead, recycle them in special eclipse glasses recycling boxes. 

In the true spirit of community collaboration, Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful, Destination Toledo, Imagination Station, and the Toledo Lucas County Public Library are uniting to celebrate this celestial event and champion a sustainable approach to watching the eclipse.

The collective initiative centers around the collection of eclipse-viewing glasses for both reuse and recycling. From April 8th to April 18th, specially designated collection boxes will be placed at all Toledo-Lucas County Libraries and Imagination Station, allowing individuals to drop off their glasses.

Organizations hosting larger watch parties can also request these boxes for their specific events at ktlcb.org.

All returned glasses will be vetted by volunteers during a sorting event that will be held at Imagination Station on Earth Day, April 22. Those in good quality will be donated to Astronomers Without Borders, supporting their mission and fostering global collaboration in appreciating the wonders of the cosmos. Those glasses that are a bit more beat up will be recycled locally.

Beyond the celestial spectacle, the partners aim to extend the enthusiasm surrounding the total solar eclipse, emphasizing the broader impact of sustainability. As people travel to Toledo to enjoy the eclipse, we want both local residents and our visitors to witness the eclipse while leaving a positive environmental footprint.

“As we prepare to witness the total solar eclipse, Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful is thrilled by this partnership, and I want to thank our great partners in this endeavor. I also want to encourage everyone, while enjoying this celestial event, to not forgot about our home here on Earth and how important it is to be environmentally friendly in everything that we do,” says Adam Cassi, Executive Director of Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful.