How to Dispose of CDs and DVDs: Resell, Recycle, Destroy

How to dispose of CDs and DVDs depends on what is on them. Music, movie, and game discs in good shape can often be resold or donated. Discs you burned yourself, such as old backups or tax software, may hold personal data and should be destroyed first. After that, the plastic discs and cases are hard to recycle through curbside programs, but specialty media recyclers will take them.

What discs are made of

CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays are mostly polycarbonate plastic with a thin metal reflective layer and a lacquer or label. Jewel cases are a different plastic, usually brittle polystyrene, and many DVD cases are polypropylene. Paper inserts are paper. Because the materials are mixed and the discs are small, most curbside recycling programs do not accept them.

Sell or donate discs that still play

• Used media stores and pawn shops buy some music, movies, and especially video games.
• Online marketplaces work for box sets, rare titles, and collections.
• Libraries sometimes accept donations for their sales or collections.
• Thrift stores often take music and movies, though some have stopped.

Keep discs in their original cases with inserts; that makes them much easier to sell.

Destroy discs with personal data

Home-burned discs may hold photos, financial files, old tax returns, or work documents. Before you dispose of them:

1. Check what is on them if you have a drive, and copy anything you want to keep.
2. Use a shredder rated for discs. Many office shredders have a separate disc slot.
3. Or damage the data layer. Deeply scratch the label side, where the data layer sits closest to the surface on CDs, or snap the disc in a bag. Wear eye protection; discs can shatter into sharp pieces.

Recycling options

• Specialty media recyclers, often mail-in, take discs, cases, and sometimes other media together.
• E-waste events and some electronics recyclers accept discs; call first.
• Retail take-back is rare but occasionally offered at electronics or office supply stores.
• Remove paper inserts and recycle them with paper. Some areas accept polypropylene DVD cases in curbside recycling if they are marked with a recycling code your program takes; many do not.

Reuse ideas

Old discs make garden reflectors to scare birds, coasters, mosaic tiles, and craft supplies. Empty cases are handy for storing small parts or seed packets.

When it goes in the trash

If there is no recycler nearby and nobody wants the discs, they can go in the regular trash in most places. They are not hazardous waste. Bag broken pieces so they do not cut anyone handling the cart.

How to dispose of cds and dvds FAQ

Can CDs and DVDs go in curbside recycling?

Usually not. They are mixed materials and too small for most sorting equipment. Use a specialty media recycler instead.

How do I destroy a CD with personal data?

Use a disc shredder, deeply scratch the label side, or snap it inside a bag. Wear eye protection.

Are CDs and DVDs hazardous waste?

No. They can go in the trash where recycling is not available.

Can I recycle CD cases?

Jewel cases are usually not accepted curbside. Some programs take polypropylene DVD cases marked with an accepted code; check locally.

Who buys used CDs and DVDs?

Used media stores, pawn shops, and online buyers purchase some titles, especially games, box sets, and rarer releases.

The bottom line

How to dispose of CDs and DVDs comes down to value and privacy. Sell or donate discs people still want, and destroy any that hold personal data. Then send the rest to a specialty media recycler or e-waste event, recycle the paper inserts, and trash what no one will take.