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How to recycle CDs and DVDs

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If you're 21, you can probably stop reading now. If you're a bit older and own CDs keep reading. 

CDs are an example of "calendar clutter" - once-useful items that time has rendered obsolete. But what should we do with CDs rather than dump them in the garbage. Is there a way to recycle CDs and DVDs?

Other options

Obviously I'm a big fan of selling (people bought my Batman DVDs and my Abba CD) or giving away. These are both better options than landfill.

But there are discs that no-one wants. The installation disc for the printer you no longer own, the Microsoft Encarta 98 disc, the CD computer backups (pre-external hard drives), the disc of digital photos from your holiday with a friend, and self-made music CDs (the 90s/2000s equivalent of an 80s mix tape).

Unless you want to do a crafty DIY project the next best option is to recycle them. But where?

Officeworks

This is me at a nearby Officeworks, recycling a bunch of discs we've had for ages.

Out of interest, they also take pens and markers (if you're not near a Biome), batteries, mobile phones and accessories, computers and accessories, and ink toner cartridges.

Further reading

If you're interested in other ways to have less clutter without creating more landfill, see my previous posts on:

What to do with 128 pens?

The brilliant new way to downsize clothing

You may also want to subscribe to my monthly-ish email update for future articles on downsizing.

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