How to Recycle Video Cassettes

VCRs are becoming obsolete.

Digital versatile disc (DVD) players and online streaming video have nearly replaced the videocassette recorder (VCR), and many people want to recycle their videocassettes. Unfortunately, recycling centers do not accept videocassettes for their recycling programs, and broken or unwanted videocassette placed in a curbside recycling bin will not be recycled by a recycling center either. Multiple alternatives exist, however, to discarding a videocassette in the trash, from which it inevitably will be taken to occupy space in a landfill and decompose slowly.

Instructions

1. 

   Libraries accept donations for many kinds of media.

   Reuse the videocassette tapes before you recycle their plastic components. Libraries, schools and secondhand stores often accept videocassettes as donations.

2. 

   Videocassettes are still in use in most parts of the world.

   Donate unwanted videocassettes to commercial companies that reuse videocassettes. These businesses will erase the data recorded on the cassettes and then repair and clean the tapes for reuse.

3. 

   Some recycling services take videocassettes for a charge.

   Deliver the videocassettes to a paid commercial company that accepts them. Many recycling companies accept videocassettes for a fee. These businesses are not associated with recycling centers that offer curbside service.

Tips & Warnings

• Locate commercial recycling companies in the major city nearest to you.

• Ask the person who develops your area's library collection if the videocassettes will be used by the library. Many libraries and schools accept donated videocassettes but then discard them in the trash if they are not needed.

References

• Recycle Now: Where to Recycle Video Tapes
• Recycling.co.uk: Videocassettes--Donate Them