Green Music Special: How to reuse or recycle CDs

Getting rid of your CDs? Don’t toss them in the trash!

CDs (and DVDs) contain plastic and metals (mainly aluminum) and really shouldn’t be stuffed in a landfill or burnt.

Here are a few tips and pointers as to what to do instead:

Give them away to a friend
Maybe you know someone that could use them, even if you can’t/won’t?
Give them to a flea market
Many flea markets accept CDs and DVDs. You’ll give your collection a new lease of life, and possibly support a good cause at the same time.
Sell them
You never know, maybe some of your old CDs are actually valuable? There are plenty of places to sell CDs – look for local stores or do a bit of googling to find a good website that serves your area.
Use them for something entirely different
CDs can be used for more than just music. Use them as coasters. Make a CD lamp. Use them as a rack for the CDs you’re not getting rid of.
Recycle them
If none of the above work for you, make sure you recycle your CDs properly. (If that link doesn’t give you any good alternatives, ask your municipality where to recycle CDs).

Want to read more about music, festivals and green issues? Take a look at the other posts in the Renewables At Home Green Music Special.