Ever wonder what happened to all the unwanted protective eyewear from the solar eclipse in April? Through a partnership with Astronomers Without Borders, the University of Rochester Sustainability Office donated nearly 5,000 pairs of glasses to reduce waste and help others enjoy future celestial experiences.
Astronomers Without Borders聽believes that gazing at the stars brings people together. Under the banner 鈥淥ne People, One Sky,鈥� they connect individuals from diverse backgrounds through astronomy, fostering collaboration and shared experiences. Through projects and online programs, they enable those in developing countries to share the wonders of the night sky with others. Guided by values of community, diversity, and empowerment, AWB strives to inspire a network of astronomy enthusiasts and educators, enrich lives, and broaden perspectives around the globe.
On the day of the eclipse, the Sustainability Office worked with Horticulture and Grounds to set up recycling stations to collect eclipse glasses from observers who did not wish to keep them as memorabilia. The stations included special instructions explaining that while the lenses of the glasses could not be recycled, the arms of the glasses could be.
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Author: University of Rochester
Image: J. Adam Fenster, University of Rochester