When it comes to getting rid of old CDs and DVDs it is very important that you dispose of them in a responsible manner. There are no laws in place to say you cannot simply throw them away but, if you were to do this, they would end up in landfill. And because they are not biodegradable, they could sit in the landfill for up to one million years! 

Within this article, we are going to talk you through 6 ways in which you can get rid of your old CDs and DVDs in a proper and responsible way. 

Recycling Old CDs and DVDs

Within some areas of the UK, you are able to recycle old CDs and DVDs at home. If you are unsure, you can check with your postcode on the Recycle Now website. It will check whether you can recycle them at home and, if you can’t, tell you the nearest recycling centre that accepts them. 

There are also many websites that will buy your old CDs and DVDs from you such as Music Magpie, Zapper and Ziffit. 

Recycling your old CDs and DVDs will allow them to be properly disposed of and stop them from ending up in landfill. 

Donating to Libraries, Schools, and Charity Shops

If you find that you do not have a recycling centre in your area, you could donate your old CDs and DVDs to a local charity shop, library or school. 

Even in the golden age of streaming, many people still like to listen to CDs and watch DVDs so many charity shops do accept them as donations. By donating them to a charity shop you will not only be getting rid of items you no longer need but you will be helping a charity make some money. 

In a similar vein, donating to your local library will allow them to offer a great range of items to their members. Libraries are so important as they allow people to enjoy books, CDs and DVDs for free. 

Selling Them Online

You could sell the items online via online marketplaces such as eBay, Discogs, Amazon Marketplace or Facebook Marketplace. This will help you to get rid of your old CDS and DVDs and make yourself a little money. 

There are pros and cons to each site however. 

With eBay you will have access to a global market who are all focused on getting the lowest price for what they want. You will have to pay a listing fee and/or a final value fee for each CD or DVD sold. Research what the same CD or DVD has sold for previously, and factor in the fees, to see if selling there would be worth your time and energy.

Discogs is an online marketplace geared towards music collectors so not the place for your old DVDs. It will also only be good for any old CDs which are rare or collectable. With the right CD though, you could make a good bit of money. 

Amazon Marketplace gives you access to a huge audience but you will have to register as a buyer which will cost you £25 a month and doesn’t include any selling fees you may incur. Unless you have a lot of old CDs and DVDs, which you are certain will sell, it may not be worth the monthly costs. 

On Facebook Marketplace it is free to post a listing but you are limited to your local area as it focuses on people picking up the items, rather than you posting them out. 

Give them away for free 

If this all sounds like a lot of hassle for what could be only a small amount of money, you could give them a way for free. 

You could still list them on Facebook Marketplace as a free listing or use a dedicated site such as Freecycle. 

Or you could simply pop a post up on your own Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account. This will limit your reach to friends or friends of friends but, with them being free, there is a good chance that someone will want them. 

Creative Upcycling and Craft Ideas

If you are creative or an avid crafter, then you could use your old CDs and DVDs as part of an art project. 

You could create a garden or wall feature by painting some of the CDS and DVDs and then stringing them together onto a piece of wood or metal piping. If you have children, you could get them involved and turn it into a family activity.

If you are a planter lover, you could cut up some of the old CDs and DVDs and stick the shards onto some plant pots, to create a unique look. You will need to be careful when cutting them and use some form of glasses or goggles to protect your eyes. 

You could turn them into stylish coasters. 

There are so many different, creative ways in which you could upcycle your old CDs and DVDs. Pinterest is filled with a great deal of inspiration. 

Utilising Self Storage for you old CDs & DVDs

If you have read through these ideas and none of them are taking your fancy or if your CD and/or DVD collection is important to you but you don’t have the room at home, self storage would be an excellent solution. 

Many self storage companies have a variety of units on offer, in a range of sizes and types. The range of our self storage units is dependent on the store so please check our website for your local store. 

When it comes to storing your old CDs and DVDs, you can buy specific storage boxes but you could also pack them into a good old cardboard box. You would just need to make sure to pack them correctly. 

Firstly, you will want to line the box with bubble wrap and then place them into the box spine up. When the box is full, fill in any gaps with bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Seal the box with good quality tape and add a label.

How To Recycle CV’s & DVDs

It is extremely important to dispose of your old CDs and DVDs in a responsible manner. Throwing them away will just lead to them being in landfill for a staggeringly long time. 

There are many ways in which you can get rid of your old CDs and DVDs such as selling them, donating them to a charity shop or recycling them at a recycling centre. You can also use them to get creative and create some unique home decor. 

If your CD and DVD collection is important to you but you don’t have the room to store it at home, self storage will be the perfect solution. 

If you would like to know more about our self storage, please click here to find your local store.