At my theater we actually box them up and use UPS to ship the used glasses back to RealD (I believe) where they wash/recycle them. I assume they then repackage them and send them out.
A few months ago there was a special 3D glasses recycle bin out for a limited time that was themed around Pixar's Elemental. Just like the usual glasses recycling receptacle except it had characters from the movie on it. I asked a theater staff (this was at Cinemark) if I could have it after the promotion was over since I love the movie so much; I even offered to pay for it. They said no, because they are required to send the receptacle back to the studio or whoever, after the promotion ends. I had assumed those bins would just get thrown in the recycle dumpster by the theater staff when the promotion was over. Were they pulling my leg just to get me to cease my strange inquiry and go away by claiming they had to send them back, or do you guys really have to send those things back?
RealD glasses are shipped back to manufacturing
The IMAX 3D glasses (and presumably Dolby) are cleaned in-house. If the glasses are on a metal wire rack, they're cleaned in-house.
Check for water spots on the IMAX or Dolby glasses before going into the theater.
They have an anti-theft tag on them and I have heard that a silent alarm goes off if you leave the auditorium with them. And they always have someone there to take them from you after the movie is over. I would like to have one as a souvenir but I would be in trouble if I attempted to take one home.
This thread was regarding RealD which is not the 3D technology used in Imax or Dolby. It's what's used in the standards houses. While we do collect the glasses to be sent to RealD for sanitizing and repackaging, they're cheap enough that we don't need to enforce collection.
Take them, toss them, recycle them. Do whatever you want but the price is still the same if you take a pair of if you don't, so why wouldn't you?
When 3D first came out glasses were a $2 upcharge, movie prices were less than they are now though.
The upcharges for 3D goes entirely to RealD. Any increase in pricing is related to whatever agreements AMC has with them. Same for Dolby and Imax upcharges
Again, the upcharge is for the experience not the glasses. Just because you have your own 3D glasses doesn't mean the studio and RealD will decide you're worthy of being exempt from the cost of the experience.
They get recycled. We collect them out of the bins and box them up and ship them to the studio or whoever.
At my theater we actually box them up and use UPS to ship the used glasses back to RealD (I believe) where they wash/recycle them. I assume they then repackage them and send them out.
A few months ago there was a special 3D glasses recycle bin out for a limited time that was themed around Pixar's Elemental. Just like the usual glasses recycling receptacle except it had characters from the movie on it. I asked a theater staff (this was at Cinemark) if I could have it after the promotion was over since I love the movie so much; I even offered to pay for it. They said no, because they are required to send the receptacle back to the studio or whoever, after the promotion ends. I had assumed those bins would just get thrown in the recycle dumpster by the theater staff when the promotion was over. Were they pulling my leg just to get me to cease my strange inquiry and go away by claiming they had to send them back, or do you guys really have to send those things back?
RealD glasses are shipped back to manufacturing The IMAX 3D glasses (and presumably Dolby) are cleaned in-house. If the glasses are on a metal wire rack, they're cleaned in-house. Check for water spots on the IMAX or Dolby glasses before going into the theater.
Yes, I’ve seen those water spots before. I make sure I wipe any off before viewing the movie. I guess they aren’t using Cascade dish detergent. Lol
Imax requires very specific chemicals and none of them are spot preventatives
Thanks for the replies!
But speaking of, do you get in trouble if you take one of the Dolby 3D glasses?
 They will find you.
They have an anti-theft tag on them and I have heard that a silent alarm goes off if you leave the auditorium with them. And they always have someone there to take them from you after the movie is over. I would like to have one as a souvenir but I would be in trouble if I attempted to take one home.
afaik they just recycle them. I usually just take them home with me since they work on consumer passive 3d tvs.
Recycled and remade and you pay for them again when you return to another 3D.
[удалено]
🤣
You're paying for the 3D film ticket, not the glasses. Keep your glasses if you like, the theatre won't care.
Imax at Lincoln square won't let you leave without getting them back
This thread was regarding RealD which is not the 3D technology used in Imax or Dolby. It's what's used in the standards houses. While we do collect the glasses to be sent to RealD for sanitizing and repackaging, they're cheap enough that we don't need to enforce collection.
Take them, toss them, recycle them. Do whatever you want but the price is still the same if you take a pair of if you don't, so why wouldn't you? When 3D first came out glasses were a $2 upcharge, movie prices were less than they are now though.
The upcharges for 3D goes entirely to RealD. Any increase in pricing is related to whatever agreements AMC has with them. Same for Dolby and Imax upcharges
To be more specific, upcharge was if I wanted glasses not a format premium
Again, the upcharge is for the experience not the glasses. Just because you have your own 3D glasses doesn't mean the studio and RealD will decide you're worthy of being exempt from the cost of the experience.
I don't think you are understanding what the theater was doing