VHS tapes might no longer be en vogue, but that certainly doesn’t mean that they aren’t still around. An estimated 10 billion tapes were made during the short 40 years in which VCRs were produced and used. So what to do with that staggering pile of VHS tapes? In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to recycle VHS tapes.
Should I Throw Out Old VHS Tapes?
With the advent of digital streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, it’s easy to forget that there was once a time when the only way to watch a movie was to physically go to a store and rent a VHS tape.
But what should you do with all those old tapes taking up space in your closet?
While it may be tempting to simply toss them in the trash, there are actually a few things you should keep in mind.
For starters, many VHS tapes are now considered collector’s items, and can be worth a fair amount of money. In addition, some people still prefer the analog format of VHS over digital streaming, and are willing to pay good money for vintage tapes.
Not only that, but did you know that those same tapes can be bad for the environment when dumped in the landfill? VHS tapes are made of a type of plastic called polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. PVC is not biodegradable, meaning it will stay in landfills indefinitely.
In addition, PVC production releases dioxins, which are harmful pollutants that can damage the environment and human health. Finally, when VHS tapes are incinerated, they release toxic chemicals into the air.
Can I Recycle VHS Tapes?
In some cases, yes – you can recycle them! VHS tapes are made in part out of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a type of plastic that can be easily recycled. In fact, PET is one of the most commonly recycled plastics. It can be used to make a variety of new products, including carpeting, clothing, and reusable water bottles.
Check with your local municipal recycling center to see if they accept VHS tapes. If they don’t, there are a few options for recycling VHS tapes.
One option is to send them to a recycling center that specializes in electronics recycling. There are also a number of companies that will recycle VHS tapes for you. However, it is important to note that many of these companies charge a fee for their services.
Another option is to donate your VHS tapes to a local library or school. This can be a great way to help out your community and ensure that your VHS tapes don’t end up in a landfill. Whatever you do, make sure that you recycle your VHS tapes responsibly! We’ll take a closer look at all of these options below.
Where To Recycle VHS Tapes Near Me
With the ever-growing popularity of streaming services, DVDs and Blu-rays have quickly become a thing of the past.
And while tapes might seem like an outdated technology as well, there are still plenty of people who have amassed large collections of VHS tapes over the years. If you’re one of those people and you’re looking for somewhere to recycle your old tapes, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered.
Here is a list of all the places near you where you can recycle your VHS tapes.
Find An eWaste Recycling Center
E-waste recycling centers are places where you can take all your old electronics to be recycled properly. This includes everything from computers to cell phones to, yes, VHS tapes.
Many of these centers are run by local governments, so you can feel good about doing your part to help the environment. To find an e-waste recycling center near you, just do a quick search online. You’ll be surprised at how many options you have.
Does Best Buy Accept VHS Tapes For Recycling?
Best Buy is one of the leading retailers of electronic goods, so it makes sense that they would also accept VHS tapes for recycling.
Best Buy has an extensive recycling program that accepts a wide range of electronic items, including VHS tapes. To recycle your VHS tapes at Best Buy, simply take them to your local store and drop them off at the customer service desk. Best Buy will then recycle the tapes responsibly.
Does Staples Recycle VHS Tapes?
So, does Staples recycle VHS tapes? The answer is yes! In fact, they have a pretty impressive recycling program that accepts a wide range of items, including VHS tapes. All you need to do is bring your items to a participating Staples store and drop them off at the customer service desk.
A few other things to keep in mind: Staples does not accept cassette tapes, and they charge a small fee for CRT monitors and TVs.
Donate VHS Tapes Salvation Army Or Goodwill
The Salvation Army and Goodwill are two organizations that accept donations of VHS tapes. The Salvation Army is a religious organization that focuses on helping those in need, while
Goodwill is a nonprofit organization that helps people find employment.
Both organizations use the donations they receive to help fund their programs and services. The Salvation Army accepts donations of all types of goods, including VHS tapes, and uses the proceeds from the sale of these items to help fund its relief efforts.
Goodwill also accepts donations of VHS tapes, and uses the money it earns from the sale of these items to help people with finding jobs. As a result, both organizations provide valuable services to the community and are worthy of support.
Check With The Local Library
Local libraries are a great resource for many things, including recycling old VHS tapes.
Many libraries have evolved over the years and now offer a variety of services to their community. While some libraries may only offer basic services such as book lending, others may also provide computer access, meeting rooms, and much more. When it comes to recycling, libraries can be a great option for disposing of old VHS tapes.
Some libraries have partnered with local recycling centers to provide drop-off locations for unwanted items. In other cases, the library may actually take the items themselves and recycle them accordingly. Before recycling any VHS tapes, be sure to check with the local library to see what options are available.
Earth911 Recycling VHS Tapes
One company that is committed to responsible VHS recycling is Earth911. Based in the United States, Earth911 operates a nationwide network of recycling facilities. They accept all types of VHS tapes, as well as other types of electronic waste. Once the tapes are received, they are dismantled and the plastic is recycled into new products.
Upcycling VHS Tapes
With a little creativity, VHS tapes can be upcycled into a variety of different things. For example, they can be used to make coasters, jewelry, or even plant pots.
To upcycle a VHS tape, start by removing the cassette from the case. Then, cut the tape into strips using scissors or a utility knife. Once you have your strips, you can get creative and start wrapping them around objects or shaping them into new designs.
Here’s a video with some fun, creative ways you can upcycle old VHS tapes:
List Them Online
There are a number of online retailers that specialize in selling VHS tapes, and there are also a number of online auction sites that allow people to buy and sell VHS tapes, like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist.
How Do You Destroy Old VHS Tapes?
If you have a collection of old VHS tapes that you no longer watch, you may be wondering how to get rid of them. Simply throwing them in the trash is not an option, as VHS tapes are made of plastic and will take many years to decompose.
Furthermore, they can release harmful chemicals if they are burned. The best way to destroy old VHS tapes is to recycle them. Most recycling centers will accept VHS tapes, and some may even pay you for them.
Once they have been recycled, the plastic can be used to make new products, such as construction materials or household items. So next time you need to get rid of some old VHS tapes, remember that recycling is the best option.
Now that you know how to recycle VHS tapes, what are you waiting for? Start clearing out those old boxes of videos and start cashing in!