Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Ask The Green Miles: Recycling VHS Tapes

Jennifer asks:
I have several VHS tapes - movies and some blanks.
What do you think is the best way to recycle them? Thanks!
First of all, The Green Miles strongly recommends carrying at least five VHS tapes on you at all times in case you're stranded on a deserted island. Could come in handy.

It doesn't look like there's any easy way for consumers to recycle small quantities of VHS tapes. I'm just guessing here, but I'd think there are just too many different types of plastic, metal and chemicals in too small a package to make it worthwhile.

However, that doesn't mean you can't give the tapes new life. The website eHow has several recommendations for donating old tapes to places that can get more use of out them.

And for really creative folks, MyRecycledBags.com offers instructions for using the tape itself to make a crocheted sling bag.

UPDATE 6/30: Just heard about this option for businesses or apartment/condo complexes -- the GreenDisk Tecnhotrash can.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

greendisk.com recycles vhs tapes (plus disks, dvds, cd, and loads of other stuff). you have to pay $6.95 for up to 20lbs of tapes, plus $.30 for each lb over that. it seems silly to have to pay to recycle, but it's way better than throwing them away. if you only have a small amount of items to get rid of, check with friends, family, neighbors, etc and between everyone you should have enough material to make it worthwhile! again, it's always better than throwing them in the trash.

Steph said...

hey. if one wants to get rid of their vhs tapes, email me at rukisrad @ hotmail.com