How can I reuse or recycle VHS video tapes?
I’ve always been a film fanatic and amassed quite a collection of videos over the years until DVDs came along. Most of my pre-recorded ones were given away and the ones we recorded ourselves went to live in the attic along with the VCR itself. A couple of years on, they’re still up there.
I hadn’t thought of them though until I posted the blog on televisions a couple of weeks ago then Brian emailed to say he had a similar collection of now-redundant tapes too – and now here we are: how can we reuse or recycle video tapes?
Best Suggestions
- Pass Them On: offer pre-recorded videos to your local charity shop or on Freecycle – not everyone’s made the switch to DVD and it’s a cheap way for them to pick up entertainment for free/cheap. Some charity shops don’t accept them any more because no one buys them – it differs from shop to shop and between areas.
- Reuse: Crafters have used the tape for crocheting or weaving. The resulting fabric if often used for retro-style bags or purse. Gardeners also use strips of video to deter birds from attacking seedlings.
- Recycle: Some recycling schemes do exist but they tend to be private and only available in a limited area (due to postage/transport costs). Details of some schemes are below.
- See the comments below for more suggestions and ideas
(Photo by vierdrie)
always check ebay to see if any are worth anything as a lot off old films can still be worth something if you have any without a cert on they may be worth checking
The following website does state that all plastics are recyclable. You would have to do as others have suggested above and dismantle to segregate.
The site doesn’t specifically state plastics used in video cassettes but the plastic bits should be able to go in the recycle bin.
http://www.wasteonline.org.uk/resources/InformationSheets/Plastics.htm
In theory maybe but in practice at the moment, different areas have access to different recycling facilities and will only collect plastics they can recycle.
For example, around me in Leeds, we can recycle types 1, 2 and 4 in our doorstep bins; other boroughs say 1, 2 and 5; while my mum and dad’s council won’t let them recycle any plastics at all.
It would make it so much easier if there was more consistency between councils/areas about what can be recycled. Sigh.
I am a fan of VHS.They are really great but if you no longer apprieciate the joys of VHS,I would suggest you could give them to your local charity shop or even better you could record over them or just watch them again.If your VCR no longer works they are readly availble in second hand furniture shops and in argos!
Hi Patrick
We have over a hundred videos saved from when our children were tiny and when VHS was king. We have tried to give to charities but they all refuse them because they want DVDs nowadays. We are also looking for somewhere to sensibly recycle them – but due to my wife’s impatience time is running out.
reply peterdoh20@hotmail.com
I have not seen anyone coming up with ideas for the plastic boxes.I refuse to just dump them. they must be able to store something?
Unfortunatley, VHS tapes aren’t woth squat on Ebay. You’re better off donating them to charity.
Hi, what about digitising the tapes (via a gadget called the grab-bee lite I think mine is called) and recording them onto dvd’s. Would it then be legitimate to sell the vhs with a digital copy?
Just an idea I was thinking of doing.
Cheers
Ana
you better donate things that are worth something.. it is worthless to donate things that you can’t even sell for pennies..
Even charities are having a hard time shifting them because they are getting so many at once as people change over to DVDs.
A friend of mine uses the boxes for storage for nuts and bolts and keeps the cases end up like a book and manages to pack a lot on a shelf and all easily accessible.
Or you could post them on Freecycle (in the UK) maybe Craigs list in the US and get it to the people who are sticking with old technology rather than burden the charity shops. Often I find that a lot of the stuff given to charity shops is un-saleable and the burden of discarding the goods is put on the charity. That is where this site is great and Freecycle.
An update on how they recycle in Sweden can be found here:
http://mdabase.blogspot.com/2009/03/tuesday-march-24th-2009-recycling-and.html
Keymood UK can collect: CDs, DVDs, vinyl, cassettes, VHS videos, computer parts and mobile phones. http://www.keymood.co.uk 01989 566288
Here are a number of quality Recycling Companies for hard to recycle items (many are in SF Bay Area but many are national). Very low cost and easy to use:
http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/depart/cd/recycle/options/mvid.htm
Mail-in Program
Ecodisk (888) 797-7638
GreenDisk (800) 305-3475
National Program
Eco Media Recycling Center (800) 959-5156 x236
Online Service
CoCoMAX – Materials Exchange (800) 750-4096
Berkeley
Alameda County Computer Resource Center
1501 Eastshore Hwy., 94710 (510) 528-4052
Concord
Concord/Pleasant Hill Recycling Center
1320 Galaxy Way, 94520 (925) 689-3900
Shred-It (800) 994-8441
Fremont
Thrift Town
41200 Blacow Rd. #E., 94538 (510) 661-9150
Hayward
E-Recycling of California (ERC)
31775 Hayman Avenue, 94545 (800) 795-0993
Recall Secure Destruction
1660 Delta Ct., 94544 (800) 727-4733
Livermore
VintageTech E-Waste Recycling
2442 Research Dr., 94550 (925) 371-1050
Oakland
Children’s Hospital – Volunteer Services
747 52nd St., 94609 (510) 428-3471
San Jose
RAFT – Resource Area for Teachers
1355 Ridder Park Dr., 95131 (408) 451-1420
Hi there,
I am a collector of old pre recorded video cassette tapes; if you have any you would like to get rid of, then please get in contact via email (mattyjlh@yahoo.co.uk) and I will try and take them of your hands.
Hi, are you based in the UK? I have a couple of boxes of tapes in search of a good home.
Hi Youngling,
I am based in South London, drop me an email to mattyjlh@yahoo.co.uk and we can arrange collection/delivery.
Hi, I have around 40 video tapes in very good condition I would like to get rid of them. If anyone is interested please contact me. Bye.
Hi Matt
Are you still collecting old VHS tapes? If so I have about 50 odd that i’m desperately trying to get rid of. Drop me an email joannaspriggs@hotmail.com if you’re interested. thanks
I have the following, let me know if they are of any interest.
Music:
Tina Turner – Break Every Rule
Phil Collins – Live at Perkins Palace
Phil Collins – No Jacket required
ABBA – The Video Hits
Eric Clapton – The Man and His Music
Michael Jackson – Moonwalker
Cliff Richard – Rock in Australia
Now 9 – That’s what I call Music
Films
Kramer vs Kramer with Dustin Hoffman & Meryl streep
Forrest Gump with Tom Hanks
Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow
Return to Paradise with Vince Vaughn
I have developed a method of converting existing video tape into a fine strand of material of 0.4mm in diameter this means that the resulting material can be woven on a conventional weaving loom,
so is there anybody out there interested ?.
yes that sounds cool…how?
I would surely be interested in converting the tape into 0.4mm strands.
I have lots of tapes.
I hate to send them to landfills, that is why I am hoarding them for years.
If I may make the yarn successfully and then if I may develop the application(s) to use this yarn, and if all this leads to a cottage industry,
there may be royalty payments for your seed idea. If you have some
application idea as well, please elaborate.
You may contact me akt.ponderables@gmail.com
If the pilot project I start with your ideas, and the success of it would help people world-wide in re-engineering the technology for profitable
disposal environmentally.
What a great idea!!
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Best wishes
Great luck
With Regards
Ashwani
Hi,
I’ve had an idea about combining your technique with a scheme for reusable shopping bags. I’m really interesting in joining forces with you and trying something out. I posted a lengthy ‘manifesto’-type thing on here a few weeks ago which explains everything, but so far the only responses I’ve had are two in agreement, and an American chap who ‘might pay royalties’ if I give him my idea. He’s thinking of turning it into a money making cottage industry, whereas I had envisaged any money that came out of it being donated to environmental charities.
Anyway, I’d be really grateful if you could contact me to discuss this further. I’d really like it if we could run the project together? My email address is: emma_gleb@yahoo.co.uk. I’m completely genuine about this, not just in it for the ride. I really won’t want to see what sounds like millions of video tapes go into landfill!
Kind regards,
Emma (UK)
HI . IF YOU HAVE SOME OLD VHS TAPES , SEND THEM OVER . I HAVE A LARGE COLLECTION OFF THEM ( ABOUT 3000 ) AND ITS HARD TO FIND SOME NEW ONES I HAVENT SEEN YET .SORRY BUT I CANT PAY THE P&P, BUT ILL TAKE YOUR TAPES . I LIVE IN BRISTOL . FOR CONTACTS : WILDSAU@HOTMAIL.CO.UK
I can get hold of a couple of hundred VHS cassettes if anyone has a use for them. They can be collected from Bristol or Cambridge, UK. (marco.pearson@googlemail.com)
Does anyone in the Cambridge (UK) area have any need for about 40 VHS tapes? They’re previously blank and recorded with various films and TV shows (a *lot* of early series of ‘Friends’…). I don’t drive so they’d need to be collected from central Cambridge but they’re free to the first offer of a good home!
I crochet mine, like I do with my supermarket bags. They are a bit noisy but they make a strong bag.
Do you have crocheting instructions for making bags? I have quite a supply of VCR tapes to experiment on something.
Brenda [16 july 2009]
If you did get the instructions for using video tapes – knitting or crocheting – I should be glad to have a copy.
Linda [24 August 2009]
If anyone has any VHS tape COVERS of movies, I am willing to take those! I resuse them to make entertainment memorabilia.
Hi there,
I have a reasonable sized video collection which I’m trying to get rid of in preparation for a house refurb.
Would you like me to send you the covers?
Frances
ps, might be preferable to contact me on my mobile
07878 342260
Oops, forgot to say email me if youre interested:
emsie111@yahoo.com
I’ve had ENOUGH!!! I’m starting a MEDIA RECYCLING PROJECT in Oxfordshire because I’ve got 100’s of videos and I don’t want to put them into the Landfill so if you live in or around Oxfordshire… Watch this space for more info or drop me an e-mail!
John P
stickyman4@gmail.com
Are you still interested in VHS tapes. If not do you know any other way to recycle. I can bring them to you.
Thanks
Hi all, I have about 70 vhs tapes to recycle! in some way and anybody is welcome to come and have them. Lots have films on ie ET, Sound of Music, Ben Hur, My Left Foot etc.
I live in south Northamptonshire in the village of Higham Ferrers. I would be willing to drive 20 miles or so to deliver them or to meet a potential user.
Daniel
Hi, I actually happened across this website trying to find out how to recycle VHS cheaply and effectively. I work in a books and music charity shop and as the amount of dvds donated increases we are slowly fazing out vhs, now only selling cult classics, hard to find, foreign films, childrens etc… this means we have hundreds of unwanted vhs to recycle. The company’s we have contacted so far charge excessive costs to collect and recycle our unwanted videos. We are completely unwilling to dump them in the rubbish to be taken to landfill and so they are just sat taking up tonnes of precious space in our shop. So, if anyone knows a good way of recycling vhs in London please let me know and also please think carefully about what charity shops can conceivably sell before donating unwanted goods to them as it could be you are just passing on the cost of environmentally friendly disposal or even worse donating to a shop that just dumps them regardless.
Thanks.
Hi Becky, I know the problem that’s why I’ve set up the “Media Recycling Project” in Oxfordshire. If you can collect enough tapes together I’d be willing to pick them up from London 100+ (at no cost to you).
The project is run by volunteers and any money we make from the recycling is going back into the community!
Regards
John Pring
Coordinator
Media Recycling Project
John,
I have 160 VHS Videos that I am trying to get rid off – surplus from recent summer fete and they are just taking up valuable space. I am based in East Yorkshire so not sure if we I can get them too you – Would you collect?. If not can you tell me more about your recycling project – maybe we could do someting similar.
Hi John,
We’re in Oxford and have at least 50+ vhs tapes you can have. send me details about where you are and we can drop them off.
Gemma
We have about 75 videos to donate for recycling, whereabouts are you as we drive through Oxfordshire fairly regularly and may be able to drop them off.
Thanks my e mail address is Trevor.Storer@btinternet.com
Trevor
Dear John,
We too have over 100 old videos that we’d like to get rid of, but prefer not to send them to landfill.
I’m also involved in the local scouts who have jumble sales three times a year. Old videos are becoming more and more prevalent, and if not bought end up going to landfill. If there’s a way of collecting them and getting them to you I’d be happy to organise. Even better, you could get scouts across the country to collect, and if there’s a small reward I suspect you’d get a big response. We collect printer cartridges and make £100 a year for scout funds – something similar would be great.
Happy to talk if you think there’s something in this.
Gary
John,
Should have left my e-mail: gary.ernest@btinternet.com.
Gary
John
I live in Hendon (London NW4) & have about 200+ video tapes, plus about 50 NEW FACTORY SEALED Memorex tapes.
Would anyone please come and get them off my hands?
Much obliged!
Alan Lee
a.lee@inbox.com
Hendon
London NW4
Can you provide me with contact details as we have a colletion of VHS tapes to dispose of. We liv ein Oxfordshire so could possibly bring them to you.
Good work John! I have only a few old vhs’s and came upon this site looking for ideas. Since apparently charity shops are also looking to get rid of part of their tapes, do you think it would be possible to set up some kind of recycling box in some of the shops, where customers/donors could also drop off unwanted films that the shop is not interested in?
Hi,
i’ve got tonnes of VHS tapes every month so if somebody wants to
buy them i can deliver.
Low price.
Regards
Hi John
I have a collection of about 200 home made vhs tapes and about 60 shop bought vhs tapes. I live in Poole area – would you be able to collect from here? or maybe meet at a middle location, say Winchester? my email is swifty0222@hotmail.com
Lauren
Hi, I have 300+ video tapes that I want to recycle, can you help?
I am in Watford and would hate to see them go into landfill
Regards
Debby. debbywood@ntlworld.com
I am a recycler of video & audio casette tapes. I crochet them into some really great stuff & I’ve figured out the patterns for all of them from bath mats, door mats, table mats, coasters, shopping bags & I’m even going to try to crochet a hat! The VHS tape is not easy to work with as it sticks to fingers & crochet hooks, so it’s much slower going than normal crochet yarn/wool. I am looking for a barn full of tapes so when you’re recycling them, I’d be a willing recipient. I also wonder if it’s possible to ship the tapes for making into things in places that help people make an income when there isn’t any. I live in France, but it’s a great cottage industry wherever you are!
Hi John
I left you an email but i don’t know if you got it. i have about 1000 tapes but i am bassed in bristol are they any use to you
Gary kennedy
Hi Gary – could you send me the e-mail again, looks like it’s gone missing! :(
Thanks
John
BTW – http://www.mediarecyclingproject.org.uk will be going live soon! (i.e. as soon as I can work out how to upload it!) :)
hola john, great effrot with the media project. hope it is working out? i have some more vhs tapes that you are more than welcome to have. just send me an address and i’ll arrange to drop them over at some point.
cheers,
aaron
What is your email. I know someone who has a lot if home recorded videos he wants to get rid of.
alfred
We have hundreds of video tapes in our charity warehouse which we cannot shift even at 10p each. We are based in Abingdon. Can you help?
Hi john have various vhs, childrens ones, Star Trek, Star Wars, Babylon 5, probably in excess of 200!! I live wiltshire, email is rachel28phoebe@yahoo.com
gemma.and.clive@gmail.com
If you live in or near London, then I will be happy to arrange to take any quantity of pre-recorded VHS tapes.
Get in contact at mattyjlh@yahoo.co.uk
Mathew
I made a lamp out of vhs tapes. Neatly stack, run wire and a piece of recycled conduit through the tape spools. Add a lamp kit/light bulb socket to the top. I made a table lamp base and a floor lamp base for my son’s bedroom. He decorated the flat sides with stickers and metalic paint.
OOPS! Forgot to say what you can do with the other pieces.
Use cases as small gift boxes. Very easy to personalize ad customize for any event.
Run the tape part through a paper shredder for confetti. The tape also works well to tie newspapers together for recycling. Fairly sturdy.
I recycle VHS tapes as I use them to build roofs. You can see some pictures on my website: http://www.maximalisme.be/the_chelter_of_the_dump.htm
enjoy!
Now that is terrific! I couldn’t read it, but the pictures are worth a thousand words! lol
Verr soon I’ll translate it all! But as you say. The pictures are very clear!
Isn’t there a risk of the tape overheating in hot sun and setting the whole flammable thing alight, particularly where water droplets focus the sunlight as happens on leaves?? Sorry to be a critic!
The cassette shell that makes up the video cassette (not the ribbon of tape inside) is made of polystyrene from I can find out. It is in two halves held together by 5 philips head screws. The polymer, polystyrene, is a thermoplastic which means it becomes soft when heated. This type of plastic is recyclable but if you want to put it in the recycling bins then you will need to break down the cassette and remove the magnetic tape and metal parts first.
The website below might be of interest for those wishing to know about plastics.
Take the tape and if you know how to weave. take the tape and weave a flower basket from it. The tape itself will last hundreds of years and will with-stand the harshest outdoor elements!
Antares
Macramé!
I have about 60-70 shop bought videos of films and tv programmes, I live in East London if anyone wants 2 have them they can come and collect them.
Let me know if ur intersted Kazzajane@hotmail.co.uk
I’m excited about some of the VHS tape suggestions I’ve read here…but I’m interested in two things: 1) recycling venues in the US Pacific Northwest (Seattle area specifically) and 2) ways to reuse VHS tapes in innovative ways (like the roof cover constructed by Ognev (see July 24th posting). If you have any ideas, let me know. I’d love to get more specifics on the weaving… :)
http://www.bpf.co.uk/
Here’s the website from my earlier post
I have about a 100 hometaped videos, mostly Law and Order or CSI going back about 6-7 years. I don’t want to chuck them on the tip so if anyone in the Yorkshire area wants them and could put them to good come and get them.
For innovative home recycling ideas, just go to http://www.instructables.com and search ‘VHS’. Some of the creations on here include a table, usb drive and a clock.
Obviously, if you are trying to shift lots of tapes, then the single cassette items aren’t much use.
Hi
I HAVE AROUND 70-80 OLD TAPES WITH PRE RECORDED PROGRAMS IF ANYONE WANTS THEM LET ME KNOW
devildance@ntlworld.com
I live in Newport GWENT
Hi
I am based in France and am looking for any children’s tapes that you are getting rid off. My children love anything culturally British, Tweenies, Balamory, post man pat etc.
Please contact me on kateharvey75@gmail.com
Thanks!
Kate
Hi
I have a a couple of children’s tapes – Barney, etc. Seeing that you are in France, I assume collection is not going to be possible for you. :-)
Happy to post to you for whatever charge Royal Mail levies me. I hate dumping them in landfill.
Best Regards,
Atul
I’m a small boat sailor…catamarrans mostly…i use pieces of VHS tape as very sensitive ribbons on the mast stays to tell me ‘which way the wind blows’ (don’ need no stinkin’ ‘Weatherman’- Sorry fer the ‘rant’ Bob! LOL)
1 tape lasts me a LONG time tho’…., but it is a useful tool….!
My son recently cleaned out his recorded from TV collection of Dragonball Z, Zoids and Rugrats. Hate to trash them and recycle won’t take them. Anyone interested? I’d pay shipping if it’s not too much.
Hi,
I have just cleared all my old VHS tapes into two big bin bags. I have taken all the pre-recorded ones to my local charity shop which is still accepting them but what to do with the 70-100 i have left?
All home recorded old TV like friends, and going back to old 80’s victoria wood comedy, don’t want them to go to landfill. If anyone can collect them from me central/south London then please get in touch
jenny@squareheads.co.uk
Hi
We are a charity and have about 500-600 pre recorded VHS tapes (could even be more) please email if anyone is interested in them. We too do not want to dump them into landfill.
email rose467@btinternet.com Regards Kath
I have around 1600 VHS tapes with television prgrammes recorded on them that I would like to recycle. They are located near Louth in Lincolnshire – please contact me if you would like them.
ian-ann@furlonger.freeserve.co.uk
Dear Recyclers
Due to ill health and increased disability, it is with regret, I have to inform you the Media Recycling Project is unable to continue. It is not a decision I have taken lightly!
I have tried to find someone to take on the running of the project without success! I am also trying to find a company who will take the media items for free!
I would like to thank you all personally for your interest in the project.
Regards
John Pring
anyone got any ideas for recycling in west Wales. Any takers for some kids VHS?
Try offering your pre-recorded tapes to the Friends of your local hospital as well as your local charity shop. I recently discovered November 2009) that the Friends of the big London hospital I was visiting was asking for them. Look on the hospital’s website for contact details for their Friends. Don’t swamp them though! These places are run by volunteers.
What about schools? Would be a great art project to paste all the covers in a collage, or to be studied for film and media courses.
I think pasting them to walls would be mint too. What about a film themed bar or retro shop, nice wall designs for all
Hi gang ,what about using them for building? I am sure they would make very good building blocks as they are all the same size and would go together with glue well on the ends. I have been thinking of making an external shed with them as they are waterproof, light and free.
Could then be used on an allotment or? what about as a cheap dividing wall and as they are plastic they could be painted easy.
Any one tried it yet?
Nig.
is it cool to just put them in your wheely bin? BLUE or GREEN that is the question?
Hi,
I’ve got 100’s of home recorded VHS (some films, mainly offbeat ones, some 80’s & 90’s comedy..) 100’s of cassette tapes to record over or recycle, and lots of floppy disks too. I’ve also got loads of pre-recorded videos to rehome, including box sets of Robin of Sherwood which are great, but can’t store anymore now I have the DVDs- sadly…..
Anyone interested? I live in Medway, Kent, but am often in London too.
As a teenager I spent all my money on cassettes of various kinds, and it seems sad now just to bin the lot!!
can email on thendongofti@googlemail.com if you can help, but no spam please!!
In the US, a great way to recycle video tapes, broken or not, is to send them to ACT: Alternative Community Training, 2200 Burlington, Columbia, MO 65202.
This info, along with ways to recycle other items can be found on eHow.com.
ACT employs disabled citizens! They reuse newer tapes. The tapes that are broken or in bad condition are taken apart and recycle as much as possible.
Another great thing is that if you send the tapes via USPS, you can use the lesser media rate versus first class postage!
Thanks for that, Amy – more info can be found here — http://actrecycling.org/donations/tapes.asp
I am after Video Tapes! I am a London based Artist collecting VHS Tapes (ideally black ones) for a new series of sculptural works using redundant technologies.
I’m also on the scrounge for large quantities of floppy disks, circuit boards and old computer type stuff. – email me for further info and to arrange collection.
robino81@hotmail.co.uk
Hi, I’m sure you have enough video tapes now but I have plenty more if you’d like them, all pre-recorded. My father left them behind him when he died, and they are all first world war stuff, and old TV series which he loved.
Yes i am really after them! – email me at robino81@hotmail.co.uk to arrange collection/ delivery etc! thanks
I have about 20 floppy discs, would there be of any ue to you?
(Have already sent you an email directly regarding this, before I replied through this channel)
Thank you.
I have over 30 VHS tapes and music cassettes to get rid of -would you still be able to use them?
I also have a handful of floppy discs.
I have loads of blank VHS cassette tapes. I live in Oxford and can post to you if you want to reuse them. I don’t want to send to landfill. Please help.
if you still have a VCR, then what you can do is put a pieces of tape over the sqare shaped hole at the bottom side of the tape, and you use it to record things on the tv. I always used to do this!