How to Recycle CDs

Tap to Read ➤ Kulbhushaan Raghuvanshi

Want to know how to recycle CDs to save the planet? This write-up gives many pointers on how to keep surroundings free from industrial waste and the importance of recycling on daily basis...

Gone are times when people used to use VCR's and cassettes for entertainment purposes. With the help of modern technology, man has jumped to the compact age where everything is smaller in size and faster in performance.

Today CDs and DVDs are a must have item in the house. They are the fresh breath of technology and have successfully replaced VCRs and cassettes. Even though they have made life easier and the TV screens colorful, these CDs are responsible for the generation of tons of industrial waste.

Every year billions of CDs are manufactured and most of them end up in landfills or furnaces. Usually people buy many film, music and blank CDs in excess and most of them go unused or wasted and land up in soil or water polluting the environment.

CDs contain a variety of pollutants which makes them an ideal candidate for environmental pollution. Other than plastics, they also contain aluminum and other toxins which can be bad for the surroundings. So it's a good idea to consider the option of recycling CDs before throwing them away.

How to Recycle Old CDs

There's not much work involved in recycling CDs. Many people drop the idea of recycling because they don't have that much time to waste.

However, people who are short on time can actually search for groups and communities on the Internet who especially work towards the recycling of different kinds of plastic. Drop off the CDs to them and they will do the job. For people who want to know how to recycle CDs, here are some pointers.

Polymer Recycling

Recycling with the help of Polymer Recycling method saves almost 50 million CDs from getting wasted in the environment. All the person has to do is search for a Polymer Recycling Plant and deliver the waste CDs over there. The process begins by separating the CD into different parts.

The attractive paper on the CDs is then taken out and used for other purposes. Even the CD case also known as the 'Jewel Case' is granulated and processed through machines which uses laser technology for the removal of contaminants. These grained particles are then used for a number of applications.

The CD is then processed in the plant's own machine which removes all the aluminum, paint and data and makes it usable. The CD is then grained and mixed with a polycarbonate for further use.

Reuse the CDs

This is probably the best way to recycle CDs. A CD may be a waste to someone but very useful to someone else. If you have a game, move or song CD put it up for sale on a website. Your CD may be worth a few cents or a dollar.

You can also give your CDs to friends and peers in the family. If no one is interested in buying it, you can also donate your CDs to child care centers so that they can use it.

Other Creative Uses

Most people also use CDs on their drive way as a marker. You can attach the CDs by drilling or nailing it to the wood, make sure to keep the shiny side out.

Gardeners and farmers often hang CDs in their vegetable patches because the strong light reflection scares birds away.

Unused CDs can also be very helpful in decorating a fancy dress costume. People can also slip in their old CDs under the feet of their furniture to protect the flooring and carpet. CDs can also be used to make decorative window hangings.

People can also use CDs as a candle stand, put the shiny side up and place medium height candles on it. The reflection which comes off the CD is really great for dinner tables. Take a bunch of CDs and run a string in the hole and hang it on your windows as an added attraction.

These days people are doing all they can to make sure they don't produce excess waste. Did you know that an average household has around 114 CDs and from that not even 5% are actually used. Almost 85% of the discs are thrown away and they end up cluttering our environment. It's time we embark the journey of CD recycling.