How can I reuse or recycle audio cassette tapes?
I’ve recently been clearing out loads of old stuff from my obsessive teen fandom of a certain, ahem, fluffy-haired band. Ebay is currently in the process of loving me because I’m halfway there, selling my previously collected tshirts, vinyl and assorted memorabilia. (Some might even say, I’m living on a prayer with all the proceeds.)
Given my obsession started before I got a cd player in my bedroom, I bought all their early albums on cassette tapes and just about stretched them to breaking point with repeat playing. While the vinyl has lasted – and sold – well, I fear the cassette tapes are beyond the point of passing them on to someone else.
So what else can I do with them? Is the tape reusable? And if so, any ideas?
Best Suggestions
- Pass Them On: Some people still use them – for both listening to and recording – so it’s probably worth checking to see whether your local charity/thrift shop still accepts them or offering them on Freecycle. Some charities also collect them for reuse for recording spoken newsletters and the like – see the comments below.
- Reuse: Tapes are very retro-stylish at the moment and people are using the plastic bits to make belt buckles, bags and other decorations. The tape can be knitted or crocheted too.
- Recycle: The tapes are electronic waste so they should be collected by your local authority in their e-waste bins.
- See the comments below for more suggestions and ideas
(Photo by tijmen)
This question was just asked at Grist too (though if yours are not in usable shape anymore their suggestions might not apply):
http://grist.org/advice/ask/2006/07/17/tapes/index.html
plant ties
Rosie
I’ve heard that gardeners use the tape, to tie around branched to scare away birds. They sell a metalic tape in gardening catalogs.
Yes, I do this and it seems to work. I make sure the tape has room to flutter about menacingly :)
The actual plastic tape is good for different uses also. You can use it as twine, tying up newspaper (I don’t know if you are only supposed to use twine to tie up newspaper), etc. You could give yourself a challenge and try to take apart the whole tape and put it together again. The cacth is you have to make sure it can still play perfectly like the way it did before you took it apart.
I’ve heard that Remarkable TM (www.remarkable.co.uk) have pens made from recycled cassetes. Maybe you could give them a bell and donate them to them. You might make a tidy profit and all….
Cindy at http://www.myrecycledbags.com/ has crocheted bags out of old audio cassette tape. A description of the making process and patterns are available from her website – well worth a look if you’re craft-y!
-louisa
Make cool retro belt buckles:
http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=5328393
http://www.thelaundry.biz/cds
I am having a clear out and wanted to find out the same. If you go to the above web site they say you can simply post them to them and they recycle them! Yay! :-)
how can i get rid of me song cassettes and get sum money back aswell….. any recyclin companys pay 2 buy over 2thousand song cassettes…..please leave me message
If anyone has any old audio cassettes, ill take them off your hands. Im currently doing an art photography project based on the death of cassette culture and am in desperate need of cassettes to shoot. If anyone has any they want to clear out get in touch, syrup_photography.hotmail.com
thanks
Hi Simon – do you still need cassettes or is your project finished? Sue
Dear Simon,
Are you still in need of audio casssettes at all?
Thanks,
Louise
Actually, give them to a thrifty/charity shop. My husband & I like to add to our music collection inexpensively using the old technology…I am sure others do, too…
Hello everyone,
Really sorry but The Laundry does not accept cassettes or VHS for recycling anymore, just CDs. Sorry about this.
Best wishes,
Harriet
Hi there we re use them for health information and activity tapes we wipe them and clean of the label or any old printing (you can use nail varnish remover)and leave blank or re print!
Send any you dont want to ACT project
[address deleted]
EDITED by louisa: Nigel has asked me to remove his details – they no longer need videos/tapes. Thanks for all the offers over the years!
Hi Nigel
i am having a clear out and will have some old cassettes to recycle. Is it ok to send them to you?
Louisa
yes by all means as long as it does not cost you too much in postage!
Where are you based? if you want to chat first call me on [number deleted]
EDITED by louisa: Nigel has asked me to remove his details – they no longer need videos/tapes. Thanks for all the offers over the years!
Are you still accepting audio tapes?
yes I am still wanting any audio tapes any would be of help please send to ACT, West House, Lombard Street West Bromwich B70 8EG. and many thanks………..Nigel
Hi Nig,
here I found you once again in this very interesting and making me feel like 1984, George Orwell,wolrd,
we are all seen by everyone, eithe we put ourselves outside like on myspace or we do any other aciton in the net…..
Hello,
This site looks very promising http://www.greendisk.com/
for recycling all electronical things.
I love that there are so many people who care about recycling!
Here’s to reusing over and over and over . . . . Thanks, Barb
Can the person who sent me the tapes from P10 postcode please read the item on the broken digital camera …………I stuck my message in the wrong section ………it could be important to you! or call me on [number deleted] and leave your number ! thanks…Nigel
EDITED by louisa: Nigel has asked me to remove his details. Thanks for all the offers over the years!
Copied here so they don’t have to go hunting for the other message:
is the child singing miss polly in a lisping voice?
we can use it as decoration .
Many thanks to all you great people who have been sending me your old and unwanted tapes.X
Nigel,
Can you confirm if you’re still looking for old cassette tapes please? If so, do you want just the tapes themselves or boxes too?
many thanks.
Hi Mo, yes we still want both the tapes and the boxes please and for those who have already sent them,they are now being used by the local visual impared group for their newsletter produced in audio format and the talking news paper which goes out to the blind within the local area so thanks again to all who have contacted me and sent me some!
I’m looking for some double or quadruple tape cassette boxes.
I’m tidying up my old cassette collection, and we’ve got several broken boxes for 2 or 4 cassette sets.
I’m in Manchester, UK, on mobile +44 (0) 7973 950 597.
Malcolm
that’s such a great idea thing to do with these tapes. if only i’d heard about it when i threw away my enormous collection three years ago. few more on your way, though.
Hi every one I am now after any old 8mm film reel or any old and unwanted home movie footage on video or film.Also any old photo slides as we need them for a film project we are doing but it has to be your images such as old family stuff as we cannot use any copy written stuff.
Dont matter what of and from where as we will use bits if you know what I mean.
send to me at [address deleted]
EDITED by louisa: Nigel has asked me to remove his details. Thanks for all the offers over the years!
Hi Nigel, are you in England? I live in America and I think it might be expensive to send audio tapes to you, even though I would love to.
Hi Camille, yes I am UK based and yes it would cost unless you could get some kind person who was coming over to bring me some? if you send them in small amounts it would not be too bad but you need to check at the post office and find out.
Have you many?
It is nice to hear from you and read your comments any way x
Hi Nigel
I have some cassette tapes which I can send to you. It’s great to be able to put them to good use. Do you have any use for old video tapes – or if not, does anyone know of anyone who might want them.
Thanks
Alison
Nigel,
What is ACT and what do you do?
action for community health team they forgot to use the H !
we are an out reach health promotion unit doing hands on practical projects to help the local people in any way to aid their health and well being…..it covers a wide area of work from giving out info to creating and funding allotments/small gardens…..and we support many other projects and agencies who work toward the same aim.
Hope this helps………….Nigel
Hi Nigel- I have about 150 audio cassettes- is it ok to send them? Some are prerecorded- is that ok? It would be great if you can have them!!
Also do you know where I can get rid of old video cassettes- both prerecorded and blank ones?
Thanks Nikki
Yes by all means send them to me and any prerecorded and blank video tapes as we can also use them………..
Hi Nigel
Is there anyway that I can get a box to you without the cost of mailing?
I regularly have cassettes and boxes as I have just started to collect for a charity who only want C60 & C90 tapes.
This is my 3rd week doing it and already I have 2 carrier bags of tapes but less than a small shoe box full of the tapes that they actually want and when researching what to do with the surplus, I found you.
Obviously charity begins at home! whilst I am happy to collect and store them, the potential volume is too much for me to mail.
I am based near Watford, Herts or NW London (Wembley) for work.
yes there may well be a way cll me when you have a min on [number deleted] leave a message and your number for me if I am out and I will call you back and we can sort out another way.
EDITED by louisa: Nigel has asked me to remove his details. Thanks for all the offers over the years!
Thanks for getting back to me Nigel.
I am delighted that you seem to want these cassettes and cases!
I will keep them and call you when I have a box.
Regards
Hi Nigel
Have left a couple of messages. Are you still collecting audio cassettes. I have a large bag full. If there’s a way to collect that would be great. I’m in Wimbledon area of London.
David
Listenable fabric made from old cassette tape – cool!!
http://www.sonicfabric.com/faq.html
Hi people, many thanks again for all the audio tapes you have sent me but………for the time being I have enough for the amount required but would ask you to consider sending me video tapes both prerecorded and home recorded that again we can reuse.I would love any with alternative health stuff on ie aromatherapy and the like as we can give these out to community groups/members to use with their groups.
Hi Nigel looks like I found you too late I been trying to dispose of some 300 cassette tapes some recorded but unused some brand new unrecorded. I am loathed to put them into landfill and just wondering if you are able to take them off my hands. If not please assist me in finding a way of disposing them. Many thanks Peter
Hi there Nigel, I had lost your details and when I find them, you dont want the cassettes, typical! If you know of anyone else please tell me. I have 2 large boxes of cassettes and boxes mainly pre recorded and would love to find them a home together with their boxes.
Good luck with your project by the way.
Hi Nigel,
Are you still full re audio cassettes? How about VHS tapes – are you collecting these stil?
Hi, I just found a cool way to make a wallet out of a cassette tape. there is a link if you would like it mine is amazing!
http://www.chezlin.com/2008/04/cassette-tape-tutorial/
Daily Danny made a box with old tapes:
http://vertes-et-mures.blogspot.com/2008/10/la-cassette.html
hello i am based in the uk and use colourful and interesting looking cassette tapes to make belt buckles which i sell on my site http://www.AnalogPark.etsy.com if you have any that fit the bill please email me (custom.ink@hotmail.co.uk) i would love to take them off your hands !
hello,
if anyone still wants to donate cassette tapes for a good cause, please help my band out and give us all your old cassettes! we always release Ep’s on cassettes at our shows for free, and we like to record over old cassettes,(this way there is much diversity in every different cassette, quality and physically).
please email me at: gatesbestfriend@hotmail.com
thank you.
Hi there,
I live in central London and I’m trying to do a clear of old videos, mostly children’s but musicals too. Is there anyone out there who wants them? Are they of use. I haven’t tried to play all of them recently and some are pretty elderly. My local charity shops don’t want them. Thanks, Ann Caird
Hi, im textile uni student and im currently doing a project where Im using old cassette and video tape. i need both brown and black tape. preferaly cassette as i have to cut the video into thinner strips which takes time.
this project is only going on for another 5 weeks so if anyone wants to get rid of any then im willing to put them to good use!!
thanks
sophie x
Hi Sophie,
I’ve got a pile of old cassettes you’re welcome to if you want them – send me an email with your address and i’ll get them off to you.
Nigel.
(nigel.glockler@btinternet.com)
Me again – or nigelg@nigelglockler.com
Hi Sophie
I have a bunch of tapes i can send to you if you like, will have to see how much it would cost me to send them. My email is mulletio@hotmail.com if you wanna email me your address.
Mary-Anne
I have some cassette tapes if you still need them. p_hargrave@hotmail.com
Hi Sophie,
I should also like to send you old cassettes if you still need them. Contact me on rd.mcmillan@ntlworld.com
Hi Sophie,
Ive got some old cassette tapes that i would love to give you. contact me at c-lewci@hotmail.co.uk
i have a big box of old cassette tapes if anyone needs them. please let me know and i will post them over or something. i live in london.
thanks!
Giuliano
geremia76@yahoo.co.uk
if anybody in the US has cassette tapes they dont want they can send them to me. i am going to use them for an art piece.
just email me–> daveman2k9@fullsail.edu
Dave, where state are you in? I’m in Ontario Canada & have a bunch I’d love to have reused/recycled. If you’re not too far I can send them…
I have about 100 or more, do you still want them and where should I send them. They are business cassettes so the labels are all the same look but different titles. Let me know.
Does anyone have an easy pattern for knitting with cassette tape ribbon? I’m thinking something like a grocery bag or something like that? Any ideas? Thank you!
It’s crochet rather than knitting but I love this pattern for a string-style shopping bag: http://pratie.blogspot.com/2007/08/alternative-to-plastic-string-bags.html
I’ve not tried it with cassette tape (although it’s on my to-do list) but I tried it with strips of plastic from old carrier bags and it worked pretty well.
The best thing about the bag is that not only is it easy, it works up really quickly – and crunches down small when empty. Hurrah for spaces!
I have cassettes if anyone would like them. Textile-Sophie, are you still looking? I’m in Bristol, UK.
Hi,
I’ve got 100’s of home-recorded cassette tapes (audio) and also 100’s of home-recorded VHS tapes I need to get rid of. Are any of you *still* looking for these things to reuse/ recycle? I’ve far too many to crochet, and I can get them to you ok- just need someone who needs them!!!!
Cheers,
Léonie
I’ve had ENOUGH!!! I’m starting a MEDIA RECYCLING PROJECT in Oxfordshire because I’ve got quite a few tapes I’ve recorded over the years and I don’t want to put them into the Landfill or PAY to have them recycled – so if you live in or around Oxfordshire… drop me an e-mail!
John P
stickyman4@gmail.com
i have loads of cassette tapes myself (dating back from the 70’s to 90’s). look what i’ve decided to do with them …www.helloearthling.etsy.com
I’ve started a MEDIA RECYCLING PROJECT in Oxfordshire because I’ve got quite a few tapes I’ve recorded over the years and I don’t want to put them into the Landfill or PAY to have them recycled – so if you live in or around Oxfordshire… drop me an e-mail OR we can collect if you’ve got enough tapes (Within a reasonable distance or course!)
We are collecting all types of “Media” – Video & Audio tapes, Computer disks, Floppy disks, cds, dvds, reel to reel, 8mm, records, etc. to be recycled. We erase the tapes (Degauss), strip them down to separate the different types of plastics, shred them then sell the plastic to companies to make new items!
Any profit we make we will be giving back to the community!
John Pring
Coordinator
Media Recycling Project
Dear John
I am in Oxfordshire and am looking to dispose of audio tapes, 3″ floppy disks, and possibly videotapes. Can you provide contact information for your project please if you are still seeking these items. (Your email address does not appear in your post above.)
Graham
g_parkhurst@onetel.com
Hi John Are you still in need of audio cassette tapes i have about 50 i could send you but i’m in the north west so only if postage isn’t too expensive!
Hi John
I am in Oxford with a reasonable collection of VHS and audio cassettes to dispose of. Are you still collecting them?
Hi John I have been offered a number of Micro films from our Library who have been trying to find a new home for them ……..any one wanting to view them would need an old micro reader but I just thought of you and your media recyling project ………..give ma abell or E mail me back and I will give you more details……… Nigel
i have approx 20 old cassettes tapes. In watford. Anyone interested in them? Not really sellable but recyclable
karen.studley1@btinternet.com
Hi
I live in edinburgh and have loads of old cassette tapes (probably 100 at least) and a fair number of VHS videotapes too that I no longer wish. I see Nigel’s entry for Oxfordshire but think postage wouldn’t be worth the cause. Does anyone more locally want them? If so please email me
marionfmurray@hotmail.com
Marion
Sorry, I meant John’s message about Oxfordshire recycling – got my names wrong!!
These are recyclable as E-waste since it’s plastic and magnetic tape. Consult your local town or municipality for information about disposal of electronics and related items!! You could also send them to the guy doing the art piece. I think that sounds cool!
Josh
I have several hundred audio cassette tapes I want rid of. Most are blank tapes that were recorded with “church” messages in the USA.
Free to anyone who can collect from just outside of Edinburgh, Scotland.
e-mail me at:-
tapes@familynames.org.uk
if you are interested.
Also several dozen storage cases (black wood effect – to hold 36 cassttte tapes)
Free to anyone who can collect
Steve
Recycling, reusing, etc. projects seem to be available in southern Ontario from the sound of the postings. In my search I came across responses to send cassettes to Winnipeg. The site didn’t reveal an address, and the last postings were in 2006. Does anyone know if there is still something in Winnipeg? I’m from North Western Ontario…. and Winnipeg is the closest major centre to us.