How to Recycle Cassette Tapes

Before there were CDs or MP3s, there were cassette tapes. These tapes held entire albums on a magnetized tape. But, as with all technology, they became obsolete, and many music fans of the era still have them lying around. Because of the different kinds of plastic inside the tapes, they are not usually recycled, but disposing of them doesn't have to be difficult. You can keep your cassettes from falling into a landfill.

Instructions

1. Look for a specialty recycling agency in your area. Some will be willing to go through the trouble of disassembling the tapes to salvage the recyclable parts.

2. Turn your cassette tapes into crafts. Coin wallets and toys are just two of the many things you can turn your cassette tapes into. See the Resources below for more.

3. Donate them to Goodwill. Often, Goodwill will put cassette tapes in good condition out for sale.

4. Check out old record stores. Some, though not many, may be in the market for cassette tapes and will buy them from you.

5. Post an ad on Craigslist or Freecycle. As the old adage says, one man's trash is another man's treasure---which may be the case for your tapes.

6. Some gardeners use the magnetic tape as twine to hold flowers together. Consider unraveling your tapes and using the magnetic tape to secure suitable objects.

References

• Ten Uses for Audio Cassettes at BBC News
• How can I reuse or recycle audio cassette tapes? at How can I Recycle This?

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Cassette Tape Culture at Design Boom