What to do with old computer data cds and cases?

Question

I have tons of old CDs with cases and I feel bad just throwing it all in the trash. Can this stuff be recycled? I am talking about hundreds of jewel cases with CDs. The data on the CDs in unimportant to me so I have no need to destroy it.

Answer 1

Yes you can recycle them. The cd's and the cases are all recyclable plastics.

http://www.cdrecyclingforfree.com/

Or projects:

http://www.make-stuff.com/recycling/cd.html

Answer 2

Lift weights with out having to leave your house. http://lifehacker.com/5331680/turn-old-cds-into-dumbbells-to-beat-clutter-and-boost-muscles

Answer 3

CDs make great frisbees.

Answer 4

Your community recycling program should have no problems taking CDs and cases off your hands. The discs are simple metal & plastic, and the sleeves are typically plastic with a paper insert.

To recycle CDs, mangle them (a good pocketknife or a cheap pair of pruning shears will work wonders) to make the data unreadable, and toss them in the recycling.

To recycle the cases, remove the paper inserts and throw it in the paper/cardboard recycling, and toss the leftover plastic bits in the plastic/metal recycling with the CD.

Beyond that, there are a whole bunch of cool things you can do with old CDs. Chalkboard paint is a fun addition to any project -- connect the CDs with hot glue and ties and spray the concoction with the chalkboard paint to make a funky (and not all that useful) blackboard.