If you want to be certain your old media stays out of a landfill, take it to a recycling drop-off centre. London Drugs in Western Canada accepts CDs, DVDs, floppy disks and cassette tapes; Future Shop accepts CDs; and Best Buy accepts CDs and DVDs.
Are CDs and DVDs recyclable?
Are CDs and DVDs Recyclable? There are recycling centers all over the country that accept DVDs and will properly process them to be recycled. Since there is little to no money in this type of recycling, they can be tough to find, but with a bit of effort and some phone calls, you should be able to find one.
Can CDs be recycled in curbside recycling?
Though both of these materials are highly valuable and recyclable, because discs are technically mixed-material, they are not generally accepted in curbside recycling bins. CDs or DVDs improperly placed in recycling bins and end up on the conveyor belt might even get caught or shattered while going through the sorting process.
How do you dispose of old CDs?
If you’d rather donate your CDs, box them up and drop them off at a library or a local nonprofit group. You might be able to donate them to schools or nursing homes. Thrift stores like Goodwill and the Salvation Army will resell used CDs and give them a second life while making money for their cause.
Can compact discs be recycled?
Compact disc products can be recycled, but not as easily as simpler plastic compounds and paper materials. It’s important to understand how to recycle these products properly – but if you decide not to recycle, there are other options like donating and selling that will revitalize your CD products and keep them out of the waste cycle.
Can you put CDs in the recycle bin?
Although CD and DVD cases are recyclable, you SHOULDN'T put them in the recycle bin. The reason for this is quite simple. CD and DVD cases come in plastic materials. The CD and DVD plastic materials are #6 plastic materials.
Can CD cases be recycled Canada?
This item is reusable waste. If this item is in good condition, take it to a Peel Community Recycling Centre (CRC) reuse drop-off area.
What do I do with old CDs in Ontario?
VHS, cassettes, records, CDs or DVDs Reusable items in good condition may be dropped off at donation drop off areas at some Community Recycling Centre (CRC) locations.
Can CDs be recycled in Toronto?
The City of Toronto collects unwanted electronics for free to ensure they are disposed of safely, recycled and kept out of landfill. Electronic items can be put out on garbage day for pickup, brought to a Drop-Off Depot or Community Environment Day or donated for reuse.
What should I do with old CDs?
How to Recycle CDs & TapesDonate your old CD, DVDs and tapes to a secondhand store or music reseller for reuse. Even if the items are scratched, it's likely they can be repaired and resold. ... Use them for a DIY art project.Mail your media to a company like the CD Recycling Center of America or GreenDisk.
How do you dispose of CDs and DVDs?
How to dispose of Videos, CDs and DVDs. Old videos, CDs and DVDs in working order can be donated to your local charity shop or bring them to the mobile recycling centre for recycling. Alternatively, you can dispose of them in the red general waste bags after which they are sent for energy recovery.
Should I throw away my CDs?
You should never throw away old CDs. If they end up in the landfill, it's estimated that they could last for up to 1 million years. If they end up in an incinerator, they can release hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, and dioxins into the atmosphere.
Are CD cases recyclable in Ontario?
Googling, “are CD cases recyclable” will bring up a load of information. However, if you are looking for a quick answer, yes, CD cases can be recycled.
How do I dispose of old VHS tapes in Canada?
If these items are ready for recycling, they can be taken to a Return-It electronics recycling depot. This recycling program includes items such as CD's, DVD's, floppy disks, flash drives, VHS tapes, and vinyl records.
What can I do with old CDs in Montreal?
Electronics Recycling in MontréalCitizens. Drop-off point open to citizens. ... Citizens & ICI. Drop-off point open to citizens as well as industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) businesses. ... Electrobac. Recycling bins for small electronics only. ... ICI. ... Retail Store.
Are CD cases recyclable in BC?
This recycling program includes items such as CD's, DVD's, floppy disks, flash drives, VHS tapes, and vinyl records. Cases for these items are included in the recycling program as well, provided that the cases are brought with the storage media items themselves.
Where can I recycle DVD cases near me?
To locate where to recycle your unwanted discs and packaging, check out www.earth911.com, the CD Recycling Center of America, or contact your city's recycling department. Best Buy also has an electronics recycling program that sometimes accepts jewel cases.
What plastic is usually used for CD cases?
polystyreneCompact disk cases for both CDs and DVDs are made of polystyrene, a plastic polymer that is both non-biodegradable and toxic if burned.
What to do with old CDs?
Use them as Christmas tree ornaments, drink coasters, or ice scrapers for your windshield. Cut them in pieces and create some sparkle around frames and mirrors. The options are endless, so there's no reason to let used CDs gather dust in your drawer or send them to a landfill.
How to get creative with CDs?
You also can get creative with your CDs by repurposing and reusing them. Although you might not want your music anymore, other people could be interested in listening. Look for record stores or online sites that buy used music, like Decluttr or Amazon. Consider offering them for sale in social media groups or on Craigslist. Don’t worry if CDs have minor scratches. Some record stores have equipment that will repair them. You can fix some at home by rubbing a dab of non-gel toothpaste on the non-label side of the CD.
What are the parts of a CD?
CDs often come in three parts: the shiny, plastic CD itself, the CD case, and the paper liner notes that are slipped into the case. Sometimes only one or two of the components are recyclable.
How to fix a CD that has scratches?
Some record stores have equipment that will repair them. You can fix some at home by rubbing a dab of non-gel toothpaste on the non-label side of the CD. If you’d rather donate your CDs, box them up and drop them off at a library or a local nonprofit group.
Can you recycle CDs?
There’s a right way to recycle or repurpose them. Compact discs are made out of polycarbonate plastic, which is classified as a No. 7 or “other” plastic. These plastics are often more difficult to recycle. CDs sometimes also contain traces of aluminum and gold, which are easily recyclable materials. You may have to work harder to find a place ...
Can you put plastic CDs in the trash?
Polycarbonate plastic contains BPA, or bisphenol-A, which has links to health issues such as reproductive problems, early puberty, blood pressure, and heart disease. In most cases, you can’t put plastic CDs in with your normal recycling for curbside pickup. But just in case, check your community website to see if they are accepted.
Is Mary Jo DiLonardo's CDs recyclable?
Mary Jo DiLonardo covers a wide range of topics focused on nature, health, science, and anything that helps make the world a better place. CDs are recyclable, but you can’t just throw them in your curbside recycling bin. Now that listening to music has shifted to streaming services, you may have loads of dusty CDs sitting in boxes in your home. ...
What to do with discs that are not recyclable?
If you are finished with it, try giving unwanted discs away to someone else (or a charity store) rather than putting it in the trash. Shopping for second-hand items is also a good idea. This is better than recycling because it doesn’t use any energy or other resources.
What is the process of recycling CDs?
The recycling process involves putting the CDs into a special machine called a granulator (the waste boxes are put in a different recycling machine as they’re made from a different type of plastic). This machine shreds the discs into very small powdery fragments.
What are CDs and DVDs made of?
A CD/DVD is made of both metal and plastic. The bulk of the CD is made from a plastic called polycarbonate. There is then a thin layer of aluminum (sometimes gold is used instead), and then on top of that is a protective layer of plastic and lacquer.
What is Terracycle recycling?
Terracycle has a wide range of waste recycling services, including electronic recycling, plastic recycling programs, and CD/DVD programs. They’ve raised more than $44 million for charity through their recycling efforts and their programs operate worldwide.
What is the most recycled material?
The other main component, aluminum, is the most recycled material on the market today. It is easy to recycle and can be put through recycling over and over again. Nearly 75% of US-produced aluminum is recycled. CD/DVD cases are made out of polystyrene (yep, the same materials as many food containers – although it looks completely different).
Why are DVDs bad for you?
Reason #2: CD/DVDs can release toxic chemicals if incinerated. Plastic waste that finds its way into incinerators results in the release of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. These include dioxins, hydrochloric acid, and sulfur dioxide. Polycarbonate, the material used in making DVD/CDs, is thought to be particularly bad for our health ...
What are the chemicals in plastic waste?
These include dioxins, hydrochloric acid, and sulfur dioxide. Polycarbonate, the material used in making DVD/CDs, is thought to be particularly bad for our health because it includes BPA (bisphenol A), which has been shown to be very dangerous.
What are media discs made of?
That’s because most of these media discs are made of a mixture of plastic resins. Since they don’t come with a specific resin identification code, which is used to help recycling centers sort materials, there’s no way to know how they should be processed. Here are 30 ways to recycle just about anything.
How many ways can you recycle?
Here are 30 ways to recycle just about anything.
Does curbside recycling accept plastic?
Some curbside recycling programs do accept this type of plastic, but be sure to confirm that yours does before tossing the cases in your bin. If your recycler does accept the cases, be sure to remove any paper liners first (also recyclable) and plastic film (not recyclable) covering the case.
Can you recycle CDs and DVDs?
Despite the fact that CDs and DVDs are made of plastic, your local curbside recycling program is unlikely to accept them. That’s because most of these media discs are made of a mixture of plastic resins. Since they don’t come with a specific resin identification code, which is used to help recycling centers sort materials, there’s no way to know how they should be processed.
How to use old DVDs?
One other common way to make use of them is tying them to branches of your fruit trees or around your garden catching the light . It’s a free and easy way to deter birds from your garden. For more ideas on creative ways to use your old CDs and DVDs check out Pinterest or Etsy.
What is a DVD made of?
Both DVD and CD discs are made of #7 polycarbonate (PC) plastic as well as aluminum.
Can you recycle DVDs in the curbside recycling bin?
Curbside recycling programs do not accept DVDs and CDs because they get caught in the sorting machines, but both the discs themselves and the plastic cases are recyclable. While it is possible to recycle all of those unwanted DVDs and CDs piled up in your garage or closet, the neighborhood recycling bin is not the place.
Can you recycle plastic?
Any way you can keep these items out of our landfills is a good idea. It may take a little bit more effort than more common recyclables like paper or aluminum, but it is worth the effort. These items will not decompose in our landfills and can be used and find new life in new plastic products if they are recycled. Remember to check with your local recycling centers first, but if they do not offer these services, don’t be discouraged, a quick search on the internet will lead you to many options to responsibly rid yourself of that clutter.
Is DVD a dead technology?
Not too long ago DVDs were the best way to watch the newest releases, now DVDs, CDs, cassette tapes along with VHS tapes are prime examples of dead technology. Nowadays, most of us utilize streaming or digital storage, eliminating the need for physical storage of the media, which is more convenient and better for the environment.
Does Vintage Stock sell online?
Another company that purchases used media is Vintage Stock, also known as Movie Trading Company, but it appears they do not have an option to sell online. Check their site to see if there is a location in your area.
Is it Possible to Recycle VHS tapes?
The outside casing is made up of Plastic #5 so once separated from the tape inside it can be recycled. However, the tape inside is made up of plastic #1, which itself is recyclable, but very difficult since it is coated in a few types of metal. Since the mylar tape inside is difficult to recycle and hazardous, it is nearly impossible to find many local centers to recycle VHS tapes. There are a few recycling centers that still accept VHS tapes so check your local area. Just make sure you call and verify that they are still accepting them before you haul everything over as policies are often changing.
Why should you recycle DVDs?
According to the Albany County Waste and Recycling program, old DVDs can also release the toxic compound bisphenol A ( BPA ).
What is a DVD made of?
According to the Albany County Waste and Recycling program, DVDs and CDs are made of a mix of No. 7 polycarbonate plastic and aluminum. Though both of these materials are highly valuable and recyclable, because discs are technically mixed-material, they are not generally accepted in curbside recycling bins.
Does Earth911 accept e-waste?
Additionally, Earth911 has a great recycling locator to narrow down e-waste recycling programs near you, but if that fails, companies like GreenDisk will accept items for recycling through the mail.
Can jewel cases be recycled?
According to CDRom2Go, jewel cases, sans CDs or DVDs, can be recycled through many municipal programs as any other plastics would. Simply contact your local recycling department or the CD Recycling Center of America for more information on what types of cases are recyclable through plastic recycling.
Does Best Buy recycle DVDs?
For instance, some electronics stores like Best Buy have e-waste recycling programs — just be sure to contact the store first to double check that your local Best Buy accepts discs.
Can second hand stores accept CDs?
Secondhand stores may accept them as donations, and record stores might be interested in your old DVDs and CDs, as well. Depending on the rarity and condition of those items, you might even make a few bucks off them.
Can you put DVDs in a recycling bin?
There are exceptions to the rule, of course. Some recycling programs across the U.S. do consider DVDs and CDs as e-waste, and they can be dropped off at special recycling events or recycling centers, but not placed into a curbside recycling bin.
