Cassettes and video tapes can not be recycled, so if they have no re-use value put them with the general waste in your black bin.
Check with your local libraries or schools to see if they accept VHS tape donations. Some communities have recycling facilities that specifically accept VHS tapes and other electronic waste. You can also contact local thrift stores or charities to see if they accept VHS tapes for donation or resale.
CDs, DVDs, video or audio tapes
There are no recycling options for them so the only disposal option is the waste to landfill bin.
You cannot biodegrade VHS tapes; it will only persist in a landfill if you throw in the general waste bin. Instead, you can let VHS videos and audio cassette tapes be repaired or recycled by different companies here in Australia. Just a quick reminder: do not throw them in your recycling bin.
Before throwing away your VHS tapes consider the amount of options you have to give them a second chance. If they're filled with your family memories, consider digitizing them before sending them to a recycling service. Otherwise consider using them as fun DIY projects or sell them on secondhand marketplaces.
Some Recycling Centres accept these items but this service does vary across the country. It's best to check with your local authority. VHS tapes and cassettes are now rarely accepted at Recycling Centres and charity shops and are generally sent to landfill.
Video tapes can be disposed of in your local council's kerbside residual bin or at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
While there are several DIY methods to destroy the data contained on the tape reel, the safest method is to use a degausser machine. The degaussing process utilizes powerful magnetic fields to disrupt the magnetic particles on the tape reel.
Many VHS tapes are worth 50 cents to a few dollars, though collectible tapes can sell for up to $50 or more. Betamax tapes can sell for up to $20 or more. Here are some real-world videotape values. Star Wars (1977 LUCASFILM 20th CenturyFox w/serial no.)
If you want to get rid of your audio cassettes but don't want to sell them, you might consider donating them to a charitable organization like a library or thrift store. Libraries sometimes accept donations of audio cassettes, and they may be able to put them to good use.
It's always good to keep your VHS tape footage in multiple places. Then, you can feel more confident about recycling. It's always best to recycle your VHS tapes, and throwing them out in the garbage can should be avoided.
If your local area does not dispose of tapes, many companies will recycle VHS videos for you: TipTop Media Management: They will recycle your VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, Audio cassettes or Film in an environmentally friendly way and at a reasonable price with a certificate of destruction emailed to you upon completion.
Please be aware that we're not currently accepting the following Media items: CD singles, EPs, VHS, Vinyl, LPs, Cassettes, damaged or incomplete items, pirate copies or promo items that came free with a magazine or newspaper. If you're selling LEGO®, please ensure that it's a genuine LEGO® product.
There are a few websites that specialize in buying and selling old VHS tapes, including eBay, Amazon, and Etsy. On these sites, you can list your tapes for sale and potentially reach buyers from all over the world.
Tape Heads
VHS tapes would continue to be manufactured until 2006 before completely being declared dead. Today, there is a resurgence in VHS collectors clinging to the outdated form of media and nostalgia is on the rise.
There are a few different charities that might accept cassettes and videotapes. They will then sell them in shops or to collectors, and use the money for good causes. Try your local Goodwill or the Salvation Army. I recommend you ring them first to make sure they're happy to accept your donation.
All types and formats of CDs and DVDs can be recycled to recover valuable resources such as polycarbonate (a type of plastic) and aluminium for reuse in the manufacture of other products.
Online organisations like Recycling for Good Causes accept jewellery and watches via the post, regardless of condition, for re-sale and recycling to raise funds for national charities and local groups such as Scouts and Brownies.
DVDs are also accepted as part of our recycling doorstep pick-up service RecycleSmart, find out more here. DVDs in good condition should include the box, and DVDs in non-sellable condition should have the box removed. Ensure they are separated in different bags and clearly labelled.
Generally, most paperback books can be recycled with curbside paper recycling programs. But to recycle hardcover books, you may need to remove the pages from the hardcover binding. At many recycling facilities, only the paper inside the cover can be recycled with regular mixed paper recycling.