How to Recycle CD Boxes

Recycle CD boxes either locally or by mail.

Ever-expanding collections of music and media CDs lead many households to quickly accumulate a large amount of CD boxes and cases. Over time, you may decide to file or digitize your CDs, and their cases can amount to unmanageable clutter that you may wish to remove. Recycle CD boxes and jewel cases either at your local recycling center or through a larger-scale remote recycling center that accepts these plastic cases. Recycling even the most insignificant plastic objects should help you feel that you are contributing positively to helping the environment.

Things You'll Need

• Mailing box (optional)
• Packaging tape (optional)

Instructions

1. Remove all CDs and paper inserts from the CD boxes to prepare them for recycling. While CDs may be recyclable at some nearby recycling centers (recycling number “7”), most centers are not equipped to accept them.

2. Call your local recycling center and inquire whether they accept CD cases. CD cases do not qualify for curbside pick-up in most municipalities, but your local center may accept them if you take them to the center yourself.

3. Visit the ACT Recycling website and fill out the online donation form to recycle CD cases. Fill in information including the estimated date you will ship your CD cases, the number of boxes and the donation value. The form includes an address for shipping your CD cases, as well as tax deduction information. Submit the form to alert the organization that you are sending your CD cases, and then ship them at your own expense.

4. Navigate to the CD Recycling Center website to recycle CD boxes, as an alternative to ACT. Separate CDs, CD cases and any paper material when you ship, but this center accepts all of these materials for recycling. Package your CD media material in a sturdy box and send it to the address provided on the website.

References

• Earth 911: Tips on Recycling CDs and DVDs

Resources

• ACT Recycling: Online Donation Form
• CD Recycling Center: FAQs