According to Earth911, VHS tapes are difficult to recycle not because of the outside casing, but the magnetic media inside. The casing on VHS tapes is mostly made of No. 5 plastic or polypropylene, which can be recycled.
How to recycle and reuse VHS tapes?
Recycling & Reusing VHS Tapes: Hire an E-Waste Recycling Service. You can look for recycling services for video and audio tapes along with their cases; you can give away your VHS tapes to these companies. In some communities, VHS tapes are considered e-waste and can be recycled through the regular e-waste collection program.
Why did they make VHS tapes obsolete?
VHS tapes were replaced by the DVD format beginning in 1997. This happened because DVDs have better quality than VHS tapes, and because you can skip through tracks on a DVD - something tape-based formats never really managed to do. DVDs are also cheaper to manufacture and are more compact.
Can I Recycle my old VHS tapes?
VHS tapes can be recycled in several ways: they can be turned back into usable, though slightly downcycled plastics, or they can be sold or donated to people who might want to watch them again. Believe it or not, some people still have functioning VCRs that will allow them to play VHS tapes.
How do I Recycle my VHS tapes?
How to recycle VHS tapes
- Find an e-waste recycler in your area using the Earth911 recycling search.
- Call and ask if they accept VHS tapes because their policies are changing all the time.
- If there are no e-waste recyclers in your area, visit GreenDisk.com.
- Package all of your VHS tapes in a box and mail them to GreenDisk.
How to dispose of VHS tapes?
How to get to black tape on VHS?
What can you do with black tape?
How do I dispose of old VHS tapes in California?
Drop off old VHS tapes to a Goodwill, Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul thrift shop. Donating unwanted items like these tapes extends their lifespans.
Can you put old VHS tapes in recycling?
Video tapes cannot be recycled using your local council's kerbside recycling bin, bag or box. Video tapes can be disposed of in your local council's kerbside residual bin or at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
How do you destroy old VHS tapes?
While there are several DIY methods to destroy the data contained on the tape reel, the safest method is to use a degausser machine. The degaussing process utilizes powerful magnetic fields to disrupt the magnetic particles on the tape reel.
Can I put video tapes in the bin?
The outer cases of VHS, Betamax and audio cassette tapes are indeed plastic, and at least theoretically recyclable. But you can't just chuck the whole thing into a recycling bin. The inner tape is made of a phthalate-laden form of the plastic polyethylene, often sold under the trade name Mylar, which is not recyclable.
Where can I donate VHS tapes near me?
Drop off old VHS tapes to a Goodwill, Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul thrift shop. Donating unwanted items like these tapes extends their lifespans.
Should I keep VHS tapes?
Even if you have a VHS player available to watch them, you need to be aware that VHS tape can deteriorate over the years. As such, to keep the recorded material for as long as possible, it would be better to transfer what's on your old VHS tape to a digital format instead.
Does anyone collect VHS tapes?
“There absolutely is a used VHS market,” says Tim Allen, a VHS enthusiast and collector who runs a pop culture blog called Video-Tron 2000. “There are enough people out there that enjoy buying video tapes that if you came across a box of old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, you could probably sell them.”
Will a magnet erase a VHS tape?
While magnets are used to write information to the tape, they are also used to erase footage from your tape. Since VHS uses an iron oxide as its formula, this makes them very susceptible to magnetic damage. A tape that has been exposed to magnetic damage is nearly always irreparable.
What do you do with old videos?
5 Ways to Recycle Your Old VHS TapesSell Them. The first, and easiest, solution is to sell your collection online, on eCommerce websites such as eBay. ... Get Creative. A common method for recycling things such as VHS tapes is to get creative and 'up-cycle' them. ... Keep Away Birds. ... Eco Bags. ... Create Art.
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.
What can you do with old VCR players?
Alternative Ways to Recycle Best Buy will take back old VCRs and many other home electronics for free; they also offer a trade-in program for more desired electronics. They accept up to three items per day from each household. Find a location here.
Is there a market for old cassette tapes?
Yes, some of the cassette tapes do. Blank, unused cassette tapes might be worth just $2-$4 for the piece, but rare and branded ones might be worth much more. As it appears – die-hard collectors are now willing to pay top dollar to complete their collections of unusual cassette tapes.
Does anyone take VHS UK?
The simplest way to figure out how to recycle VHS tapes is by checking your local household waste recycling centre. Many centres in the UK can safely dispose of your videos by collecting them in the 'Waste for Energy' skips.
Does anyone collect VHS tapes?
“There absolutely is a used VHS market,” says Tim Allen, a VHS enthusiast and collector who runs a pop culture blog called Video-Tron 2000. “There are enough people out there that enjoy buying video tapes that if you came across a box of old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, you could probably sell them.”
What can I do with old cassette tapes UK?
Take this waste to your local recycling centre (RC). Use the general household waste container. All our recycling centres accept video and audio cassettes. donate usable video and audio cassettes to a charity shop, or sell them online - many people still collect them.
Is there a market for VHS tapes UK?
In the UK, you'll never be far away from a car boot sale or vintage market. At the next market, set up your stall, and you'll meet lots of people, including collectors looking for old VHS tapes. For their love of collectibles, they will take your old collection of VHS tapes and pay you.
How to dispose of VHS tapes?
If figuring out how to dispose of VHS tapes is too challenging on your own, you can send your tapes to be recycled to companies such as “Green Disk.” They accept many types of e-waste, from iPods, to CD cases to many other items. Additionally, consider selling your tapes on Craigslist. That way you can rest easy knowing someone else will enjoy your CDs, and make some money on the side. Think about donating them to Goodwill. Goodwill is a country-wide chain thrift store that teaches disadvantaged community members job skills by accepting donations, selling them, and paying the members with the proceeds. Or, you could offer your tapes for free on Freecycle. Freecycle is a community group that anyone can join where people exchange offers and requests for used household objects and clothes. Simply Google Freecycle and join your local group. Post a message online saying that you have VHS tapes available, and usually within an hour, someone (or a few people!) will likely message you inquiring about taking them off of your hands.
How to get to black tape on VHS?
To get to the black tape, you must pry open the plastic case with a screw driver and remove the tape yourself.
What can you do with black tape?
One thing you can do with this black tape is to use it in your garden as a “scare crow.”.
Why can't you dump VHS tapes in the landfill?
Avoid dumping VHS tapes in the landfill because they are made from plastic and magnetic materials that can leach into the environment.
Is VHS tape considered e-waste?
While VHS Tapes are considered e-waste, they are not taken by the Household Hazardous Waste Program . Use this site from CalRecycle to find a recycler for these items.
Why are VHS tapes hard to recycle?
According to Earth911, VHS tapes are difficult to recycle not because of the outside casing, but the magnetic media inside. The casing on VHS tapes is mostly made of No. 5 plastic or polypropylene, which can be recycled. The inside, on the other hand, is mylar tape, made of No. 1 plastic, which is coated in an assortment of metals that are not so easy to recycle. It’s not that this mylar isn’t inherently reusable, it’s just that no one really wants it.
What factors affect the price of a tape?
According to GreenCitizen, the condition of the tape, both the external and internal components, will impact price. Other factors include the content and rarity of the tape in question. There are markets and collectors out there, you just have to find the right one.
Does Earth911 take VCRs?
Earth911 has a wonderful recycling locator that can help you find e-waste recycling companies in your area. Some mainstream stores like Best Buy will accept old electronics for recycling, such as VCRs, though you'll have to contact your local store to see if it will take VHS tapes as well.
Can VCRs play VHS tapes?
Believe it or not, some people still have functioning VCRs that will allow them to play VHS tapes. Article continues below advertisement. VHS tapes and VCRs are both generally considered e-waste, and there are many e-waste recycling companies out there that will take them off your hands.
What to do with old VHS tapes?
Another option for all those old VHS tapes is upcycling or reusing them for anything from art projects to purses. A quick Pinterest search will reveal hundreds of ideas and images. Some crafty, artistic folks even turn the tape from old VHS tapes and cassettes into a type of yarn and can create many unique projects like purses and lamps.
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.
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.
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 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 there a market for old VHS movies?
Surprisingly there is still a market for some classic VHS movies and shows. You can take a quick look on eBay and see if any of your old VHS tapes are worth anything. Nostalgia sells in many instances. Some can go for $50 all the way up into the $1000’s! Definitely check the old Disney VHS tapes from your childhood before purging, certain titles and release dates are worth hundreds while others are worthless.
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.
How to dispose of VHS tapes?
If figuring out how to dispose of VHS tapes is too challenging on your own, you can send your tapes to be recycled to companies such as “Green Disk.” They accept many types of e-waste, from iPods, to CD cases to many other items. Additionally, consider selling your tapes on Craigslist. That way you can rest easy knowing someone else will enjoy your CDs, and make some money on the side. Think about donating them to Goodwill. Goodwill is a country-wide chain thrift store that teaches disadvantaged community members job skills by accepting donations, selling them, and paying the members with the proceeds. Or, you could offer your tapes for free on Freecycle. Freecycle is a community group that anyone can join where people exchange offers and requests for used household objects and clothes. Simply Google Freecycle and join your local group. Post a message online saying that you have VHS tapes available, and usually within an hour, someone (or a few people!) will likely message you inquiring about taking them off of your hands.
How to get to black tape on VHS?
To get to the black tape, you must pry open the plastic case with a screw driver and remove the tape yourself.
What can you do with black tape?
One thing you can do with this black tape is to use it in your garden as a “scare crow.”.
