How To: Break Free from CDs

Photo by sun dazed via Flickr

You’ve taken the first step and found new homes for all your old jewel cases. Now you’re admiring binder after binder of CDs on your bookshelf and scratching your head thinking, “when was the last time I actually played a CD?”

Um, probably a looong time ago. Digital downloads, computers, and iPods have made the CD virtually obsolete. You now realize your CDs are just taking up precious space. But what’s the best way to get rid of them?

CDs are made of petroleum-based plastics, metals, dyes, and lacquers. Not something you really want sitting around in a landfill, or worse yet, burnt to a crisp in an incinerator. Because they’re made of so many different materials, CDs are also hard to recycle.

But all hope is not lost. If you’re thinking about parting ways with some or (gasp!) all of your CDs, follow these simple tips for a smooth, eco-friendly transition into the digital age:

1. Create a digital library. Okay, kids. I am not going to insult your musical intelligence and will assume you’ve heard of a little thing called iTunes. For you nonconformists, there are plenty of music management alternatives out there like Songbird, JetAudio, and Rockbox that will convert your precious Bikini Kill and Dead Kennedys CDs to mp3s without having to sell out to the man. For most of us, though, it’s a simple matter of finishing what we started. So get going!

2. BACK IT UP! Uploading CDs to your computer is time-consuming and not particularly pleasant. Do you want to do it all over again if your computer crashes? Didn’t think so. Do yourself a favor and buy an external drive for about $100 and back up your digital library. Just remember to repeat the back-up process periodically so any new music you amass is accounted for.

3. Make some cash. The greenest thing you can do for the environment and your wallet is to sell your CDs to someone who is still stuck in the ’90s. Sometimes it’s easier to go straight to the middleman and get some cash for your old CDs at your local music store. If you’re too embarrassed to hawk your Backstreet Boys CDs to a real live person, try online resellers like SecondSpin and Half.com.

4. Get crafty or donate. CDs can be the building blocks for iPod docks, solar cookers, and 10 lb dumbells. Try out a few DIY CD projects yourself. Post your leftovers on Freecycle or Craigslist for others to salvage. Heck, if you find a DIY idea you really dig but don’t think you have the skills to pull it off, commission someone else to make it for you.

5. Recycle. As a last resort, ask your city or county solid waste office if there are any recyclers in your area that accept CDs. Don’t forget that Greendisk will also take up to 20 lbs of your old jewel cases, CDs, and other electronic waste for $7 (plus shipping).

The most important part, however, is putting yourself on a CD-free diet from this point forward. It’s okay to cheat sometimes – for that box set you just gotta have or to support a small indie band. But for the most part, buy digital whenever possible.

How To: Get Rid of Old CD Jewel Cases

Photo by Mulad via Flickr

There comes a time in every music lover’s life when your CD collection reaches maximum capacity. No longer able to be contained by your available shelf space or easily transported in a few milk crates, you are inevitably forced to transfer your CDs to (gasp!) binders.

What do you do with all the CD jewel cases left over from your little project? Separation anxiety sets in and you start to panic. Maybe you should keep them, “just in case.” As someone who stashed over 500 of the aforementioned cases in my parents’ attic for over a decade, trust me, you’ll never need them. It’s time to let go.

Whatever you do, don’t toss them in the recycling bin. CD jewel cases are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a petrochemical-based plastic mixed with a variety of toxic additives, which makes them particularly difficult to recycle. Most municipal recycling programs won’t accept them.

Don’t throw them in the trash either! They’ll sit in a landfill forever (PVC doesn’t biodegrade) where all those toxics can seep into the ground and water. Or else they’ll burn in an incinerator, releasing cancer-causing dioxins into the air. Fantastic.

Now what? Although you may not need those CD cases anymore, there are many folks that will take them off your hands for reuse or recycling. Here’s a few ideas:

1. Post them on Freecycle or Craigslist. Crafty people use CD jewel cases to make all sorts of crazy things like picture frames, birdhouses, and even chandeliers. If you list them for free on Freecycle or Craigslist, chances are they’ll be snatched up by a grateful artiste in no time.

2. Donate them to libraries, schools, or nonprofits. Remember libraries? Well, in addition to books, they also loan CDs and DVDs. Bet they could use some old jewel cases to replace broken ones. Schools and nonprofits may have similar use for this kind of stuff. Of course, you’ll have to do a little research and calling around to see if you can find an interested organization.

3. Offer them to indie labels or bands. Old cases in good condition might be a budget-friendly resource for indie labels or your favorite band. Who says new releases can’t be packaged in reused CD cases? A little scrub with some vinegar and water and they’ll shine up quite nicely.

4. If you can’t give them away, recycle. Your helpful city or county solid waste office can tell you if there are any local options for recycling CD cases. If not, there’s always Greendisk. Send up to 20 lbs of your old jewel cases (and/or related techno-trash) to this Washington-based company for $7 (plus shipping), and they’ll reuse or recycle them.

Now you’re armed with all the information you need to responsibly part ways with those old CD cases. I promise it won’t hurt…