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Can CDs Be Recycled?

Posted by Cliff on from the better-than-a-landfill dept.

An anonymous reader asks: "I was recently doing a closet-cleaning and came across literally hundreds of old software CDs that are no longer usable — both manufactured CDs and CD-Rs. Note that by 'not usable', I mean that many of them simply couldn't be read anymore, possibly due to the fact that they'd been stored rather ineptly (no, I wasn't responsible for how they were stored). It seems wrong to just throw them out, but are there other things that can be done with them that will allow their raw materials to be reused in some way?Is it possible to reclaim CDs for raw materials?"

8 of 136 comments (clear)

  1. Dunno about the US. by Ihlosi · · Score: 4, Informative

    Here in Europe, CDs are collected for recycling.

  2. Yes by gagravarr · · Score: 5, Informative

    Yes, you can recycle your cds. There's a list of places that offer cd recycling on recyclenow - http://www.recyclenow.com/what_more_can_i_do/can_i t_be_recycled/compact_discs.html

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  3. Microwave by tscheez · · Score: 4, Informative

    While this is not a way to recycle CD's, it is fun and will destroy the data on it permanently. Put one data side up in the microwave and run it for 2-4 seconds on high and watch the light show. (I wouldn't suggest doing this in a microwave you like, it *seems* to do no damage to the microwave but I can't be sure)

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    1. Re:Microwave by tsa · · Score: 3, Informative

      It sure makes your home stink like a hellhole. We tried toasting CD's in this way in the research group's kitchen once. The experiment worked out beautifully but you could still smell it a week later.

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  4. Re:They make great coasters by j00r0m4nc3r · · Score: 3, Informative

    They actually make terrible coasters, because without a material on them to absorb water, or a lip around the edge to trap it, water just rolls off onto the table.

  5. polycarbonate -- unfortunately not by redelm · · Score: 3, Informative
    CDs are made of polycarbonate resin, Recycling Class (7) that finds little use. See and here.

  6. Re:They make great coasters by steveo777 · · Score: 3, Informative
    I've used them to hold big candles. They reflect the light and make some pretty cool looking candelabras when you use a bunch of different colored CD's at varying heights.

    On the other hand they don't tend to stop the wax from flowing all over the place.

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  7. Every geek in the US needs one of these around... by Optic7 · · Score: 3, Informative
    The Technotrash can by Greendisk.

    It's a box for any electronic trash that has all the recycling and shipping fees included in its purchase price. Total price is $30 for a 35lbs capacity box, or $40 for a 70lbs capacity one. Or you can get bundles and give them away as gifts to everyone. You can throw anything from CDs to videotapes to laptops to cell phones in there. When it's full, you close it up and ship it (for "free").