How to Recycle VHS Tapes: Eco-Friendly Disposal Guide | Legacybox (2024)

FAQs

How to Recycle VHS Tapes: Eco-Friendly Disposal Guide | Legacybox? ›

Eco-Friendly Disposal Options

We recommend recycling your old VHS video tapes by taking them to a charity shop, or selling them online. Or take to any household waste recycling centre for no charge.

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.

The CDs, DVDs, VHS and Cassette Tapes are collected and rendered unreadable, and then recycled into new products. Please help us keep CDs, DVDs, VHS and Cassette tapes out of landfill by taking them to a collection point. The cases are also accepted and collected.

If you are looking to sell your VHS tapes, there are plenty of options to consider, depending on your goals and location. Local secondhand stores, pawn shops, and resellers may be interested in buying your tapes, while online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon can help you reach a broader audience.

Finally, if recycling VHS tapes or donating are not feasible options, they can be thrown away as garbage. However, because VHS tapes are considered electronic waste, be sure to check with your local waste management facility for any special precautions you need to take before disposing of your tapes.

Charity shops increasingly refuse to accept donations of old tapes because so few people want to buy them nowadays. And unfortunately, they can't be easily recycled either. Most councils won't accept them in the recycling bin and even many recycling centres will not take them.

Drop off old VHS tapes to a Goodwill, Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul thrift shop.

Unwanted CDs, DVDs and records can be donated to charity shops or sold on sites like Zapper and Ziffit. Some Recycling Centres accept these items but this service does vary across the country. It's best to check with your local authority.

What are the most valuable VHS tapes? The videotapes that make the most money are often 'video nasties', like cheap horror films or movies never released on DVD. The rarer your video is, the higher your chance of making money.

Can a VHS tape last 30 years? ›

VHS tapes last 10 to 25 years.

Tapes stored in a climate-controlled environment can last significantly longer than the ones not stored correctly. If you still have a collection of videos from the 90s, some of the content will definitely have deteriorated due to the passage of time.

While obsolete by today's standards, there is a large community who enjoy hunting for rare VHS videos, from those that are obscure due to a low circulation to copies that exist with misprints and typos on the sleeve. Many VHS tapes can be bought fairly easily, oftentimes for no more than a dollar.

Many charities, schools, and libraries accept electronic donations. Sell or Give Them Away: You can also try selling your old DVDs and VCRs on websites such as eBay or Craigslist. Alternatively, you can give them away for free on websites such as Freecycle. You can also sell them online or at a garage sale.

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.

“Mint and sealed VHS tapes command a premium, but some used tapes can fetch good prices if they have the rarity factor,” says Tracy. “But please ensure when selling that you are accurate about the condition, not only of the actual tape but the case as well. And check that it actually plays!”