More than 115,000 Solar Glasses Diverted from the Landfill
Vermont Business Magazine The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) has announced CSWD as the recipient of this year’s Environmental Leadership Award for Outstanding Program with its solar glasses collection and partnership with Astronomers Without Borders (AWB). In all, CSWD’s collection program diverted 115,020 solar eclipse glasses from the landfill, following the April 8th event. Instead of being discarded, these glasses will be reused by AWB at future eclipse events all over the world. In the past, AWB has sent glasses to folks in Africa, Asia, North and South America who may not otherwise have a way to view lunar and solar eclipses safely.
"It is important to recognize those who are making a real impact in preserving the environment through the sustainable management of materials. NERC launched the Environmental Leadership Awards in 2017 to celebrate communities, programs, and businesses that are making a measurable difference for the health of our planet and people,” said Megan Schulz-Fontes, NERC Executive Director. “We are excited to honor CSWD this year for their exemplary program to reuse 115K solar glasses for the next awe-inspiring solar eclipse event."
In addition to CSWD’s six Drop-Off Centers, local schools, businesses, town libraries and community groups participated as collection sites for the glasses. A team of volunteers and the CSWD staff spent approximately three weeks sorting, quality-checking, counting, and boxing the 115,000 glasses for their next destination.
“CSWD’s collaboration with Astronomers Without Borders to collect, sort, and reuse more than 115,000 solar eclipse glasses shines a spotlight on the power of local communities and their unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. This project was truly a team effort that highlights the impact of community engagement and helped make CSWD one of the most successful collection programs in the country," said Sarah Reeves, CSWD Executive Director. "With only one landfill in Vermont, it is our responsibility to find creative ways to reduce and properly manage the waste we generate."
Learn more about CSWD and their programs at CSWD.net.
The Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) is a municipality created by member Towns and Cities to reduce and manage the solid waste generated within Chittenden County in an environmentally sound, efficient, effective and economical manner.
Source: 10.30.2024. South Burlington, VT- The Northeast Recycling Council
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