Ethan Clarke
Plastic jewel cases, commonly used to store CDs, can be recycled but it is challenging to do so. Most curbside recycling programs do not accept CDs or their cases, and many city programs do not take them either. However, some communities do accept CDs and jewel cases at the curb, and others take them at their recycling centers. If your local program does not accept jewel cases, you can recycle them through a company that specializes in recycling unwanted CDs, such as the CD Recycling Center of America, or through an electronics recycling program like Best Buy's. Alternatively, you can get creative and repurpose jewel cases for craft projects, or donate them to your local library.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability | Plastic jewel cases are technically recyclable but many curbside recycling programs do not accept them. |
| Recycling process | Jewel cases can be recycled into new plastic items. |
| Alternative uses | Jewel cases can be used for craft projects, such as light fixtures, seedling protectors, picture frames, coasters, and wall-mounted timepieces. |
| Alternative disposal methods | Jewel cases can be donated to libraries or given away on sites like Craigslist or Freecycle. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic jewel cases are polystyrene (#6 plastic) and can be recycled into new plastic items
- CDs are made of polycarbonate plastic (#7 plastic) and are more difficult to recycle
- Curbside recycling programs rarely accept CDs, DVDs, or tapes, even if they accept plastics #1-7
- CDs and jewel cases can be used for craft projects, such as light fixtures and picture frames
- You can recycle CDs and jewel cases through a specialist company or a community recycling center
Plastic jewel cases are polystyrene (#6 plastic) and can be recycled into new plastic items
Plastic jewel cases, also known as CD cases, are polystyrene (#6 plastic) and can be recycled into new plastic items. This type of plastic is commonly used in toys, kitchenware, medicine bottles, and smoke detector cases. While it is recyclable, it is not always accepted by curbside recycling programs due to the limited recycling market for this specific type of plastic.
To recycle plastic jewel cases, you may need to take them to a community recycling center or a company specializing in recycling unwanted CDs, such as the CD Recycling Center of America. Some communities, like Sandy, Utah, and Lincoln, Nebraska, accept CDs and CD cases at the curb, while others, like Berkeley, California, and Royal Oak, Michigan, accept them at their recycling centers. It is always a good idea to check with your local program to see if they accept this type of plastic for recycling.
If you have a large collection of plastic jewel cases, you may also consider donating them to your local library, which may need replacement cases for damaged items. Online platforms like Craigslist or Freecycle can also be useful for finding people interested in taking your old CD cases for their own craft projects or other purposes.
Before disposing of your plastic jewel cases, remember to remove any paper inserts, which can be recycled separately with your other paper goods. Additionally, if you have CDs stored in these cases, consider selling or donating them to thrift stores, secondhand media stores, or online platforms like Decluttr, Cash for CDs, or Eagle Saver.
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CDs are made of polycarbonate plastic (#7 plastic) and are more difficult to recycle
CDs and their plastic jewel cases are not biodegradable and will not break down over time. If they are incinerated, they will release toxic chemicals, including hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, and dioxins. Therefore, it is important to recycle CDs and their cases responsibly.
CDs are made of polycarbonate plastic (#7 plastic), which is a catch-all resin number that covers many types of plastic. This type of plastic is more difficult to recycle than other types of plastic because it is a specialized material that manufacturers can only recycle in large quantities. While some curbside recycling programs accept plastics #1-7, CDs are often not accepted in these programs due to their unique material composition.
The difficulty in recycling CDs lies in the fact that they are made of a mixture of different plastic resins. In addition to polycarbonate plastic, CDs may also contain trace amounts of highly recyclable metals such as aluminum and gold. However, separating these materials can be challenging and costly, which discourages many recycling programs from accepting them.
Despite the challenges, there are still ways to recycle CDs responsibly. Some communities, such as Berkeley, California, and Royal Oak, Michigan, accept CDs and CD cases at their recycling centers. There are also companies that specialize in recycling unwanted CDs, such as the CD Recycling Center of America, which offers its services to individuals, businesses, and institutions.
Alternatively, if your CDs are still functional, you can donate or sell them to secondhand stores or music resellers for reuse. You can also get creative and use old CDs and their cases for craft projects, such as light fixtures, seedling protectors for the garden, or picture frames.
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Curbside recycling programs rarely accept CDs, DVDs, or tapes, even if they accept plastics #1-7
CDs, DVDs, and tapes are made of a mixture of different plastic resins. CD cases are polystyrene (#6 plastic), while the discs themselves are polycarbonate, or #7 plastic, which is a catch-all resin number that covers many types of plastic. The casing of tapes is polypropylene (#5 plastic), and audio and video tape is made from polyethylene terephthalate (#1 plastic).
Despite being made of plastic, these items are rarely accepted by curbside recycling programs. This is because the recycling market for these products is limited, and there aren't many options for recycling them. The plastics used in CDs, DVDs, and tapes are harder plastics to recycle. CDs and DVDs are also quite flimsy, thin, and small—they would easily break or get lost in the recycling process.
Additionally, there is no financial incentive to recycle these materials. With many materials, the cost of recycling is offset by the value obtained from the recycled product. However, this is not the case with CDs and tapes. As a result, if you want to responsibly dispose of these products, you will likely have to pay for at least the shipping costs.
If you're looking to dispose of CDs, DVDs, or tapes, it's a good idea to first check your local recycling laws and contact your city's waste management site. Some municipalities do accept these items for recycling. You can also donate or sell your old CDs, DVDs, and tapes to a secondhand store or music reseller for reuse. There are also companies that specialize in recycling unwanted CDs, such as the CD Recycling Center of America, which accepts products from individuals, businesses, and institutions.
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CDs and jewel cases can be used for craft projects, such as light fixtures and picture frames
CDs and their plastic jewel cases are not biodegradable, so it's important to find ways to reuse them. One way to do this is through craft projects. CDs and jewel cases can be used for light fixtures and picture frames, but they have many other creative uses as well.
One idea for a light fixture is to make a pendant lamp. This can be done by attaching multiple jewel cases together with binder clips and fishing line. You can then attach the connected jewel cases to the base of a light fixture with fishing line.
CDs and jewel cases can also be used to make picture frames. This can be done by cutting ribbon and gluing it to the inside of the case, sliding the ribbon under the inside tabs. Then, place a picture on top of the ribbon and secure it with tape. You can also make a double picture frame hanger by repeating these steps with a second jewel case and using two pieces of ribbon to connect the two frames.
There are many other ways to get creative with CDs and jewel cases. You can make Christmas ornaments, coasters, or even a fish decoration by gluing fins and lips cut out of foam paper to the side of the CD. You can also make a desk calendar by downloading a calendar design and displaying it inside a jewel case. For children, you can make a Halloween pumpkin, an Easter bunny chalkboard, or a snowman ornament out of CDs and jewel cases.
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You can recycle CDs and jewel cases through a specialist company or a community recycling center
CDs and their jewel cases are made of plastic and therefore will not biodegrade over time. If they find their way into incinerators, they will release toxic chemicals, including hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide, and dioxins. Polycarbonate plastic, which is used to make CDs, is thought to be especially detrimental to human health because it contains BPA, which has been shown to cause abnormal brain development.
Because of this, it is important to recycle CDs and jewel cases properly. However, the recycling market for these products is limited, and many curbside recycling programs will not accept them. This is because CDs and their cases are made of a mixture of different plastic resins. CD cases are polystyrene (#6 plastic), while the discs themselves are polycarbonate, or #7 plastic, which is a catch-all resin number that covers many types of plastic.
Despite the challenges, there are a few options for recycling CDs and jewel cases. One option is to take them to a community recycling center. Some communities, such as Berkeley, California, and Royal Oak, Michigan, accept CDs and CD cases at their recycling centers. Be sure to ask if your local program will accept both the CDs and the jewel cases, as some communities will only accept one or the other.
Another option is to recycle CDs and jewel cases through a specialist company. The CD Recycling Center of America, for example, accepts products from individuals, businesses, and institutions such as schools, and there is no charge for their services other than the cost of postage. Check their website for packing instructions and their mailing address.
Before recycling, consider whether your CDs and jewel cases can be reused or repurposed. You may be able to give them away or sell them to companies that will reuse them, such as thrift stores or secondhand media stores. You can also use CDs and CD cases for craft projects, such as adding sparkly pieces to candle holders, jewelry, or even making homemade disco balls.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic jewel cases are recyclable. They are made of #6 plastic, also known as polystyrene or PS, which is a commonly recycled plastic.
Plastic jewel cases can be recycled through a recycling service or centre. Some cities have recycling centres that accept CDs and CD cases, for example, Berkeley, California, and Royal Oak, Michigan. Best Buy also has an electronics recycling program that sometimes accepts jewel cases.
If you're feeling creative, there are many ways to repurpose plastic jewel cases. For example, you can turn them into light fixtures, seedling protectors for the garden, or picture frames.
Yes, the paper inserts in CD cases can be recycled with your other paper goods.
