In Mesquite, Texas, there’s an initiative to put your eclipse glasses to good use if they’ve been sitting around unused. The city is encouraging residents to donate their eclipse glasses for future use by others who may need them for upcoming solar eclipses. According to Mesquite officials, eclipse glasses in good condition don’t expire, so they can be safely reused. Collection points will be set up from May 15 to July 15 at various locations around Mesquite.
While solar eclipses happen relatively frequently, the next total solar eclipse visible in the U.S. won’t be until 2044. However, there’s one coming up on Aug. 12, 2026, visible in certain parts of the world including Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. If you’re considering holding onto your glasses until then, it might be a long wait!
The collected glasses will be sent to Astronomers Without Borders, a nonprofit organization with collection centers across the U.S. and Canada. It’s important to note that glasses with damaged lenses cannot be reused.
If you’re unable to make it to one of the collection sites in Mesquite, there’s another option. Astronomers Without Borders has partnered with eyewear store Warby Parker, which has eight retail locations in North Texas, for additional collections.
Here’s where you can drop off your eclipse glasses in Mesquite:
– Mesquite Main Library, 300 W. Grubb Dr.
– North Branch Library, 2600 Oates Dr.
– Mesquite City Hall, 757 N. Galloway Ave.
– Mesquite Municipal Center, 1515 N. Galloway Ave.
– Dunford Recreation Center, 1015 Green Canyon Dr.
– Evans Recreation Center, 1116 Hillcrest St.
– Florence Recreation Center, 2501 Whitson Way
– Rutherford Recreation Center, 900 Rutherford Dr.
