When Funai Electric rolled the last VCR off the production line in 2016, it signaled the end of analog home video. But the players themselves never disappeared. Millions of DVD and VCR players still sit in closets, basements, and offices — quietly collecting dust while becoming part of the world’s fastest-growing waste stream: electronic waste.
If you’re wondering how to recycle DVD and VCR players, the answer is more urgent than ever. These devices contain hazardous materials like lead solder, mercury, and brominated flame retardants — all of which can leach into soil and water if thrown in the trash. That’s why many states, including California, have banned electronics from landfills entirely.
At the same time, DVD and VCR players also hold recoverable materials like copper, aluminum, and even small amounts of gold on their circuit boards. Recycling them properly keeps toxins out of the environment and puts valuable resources back into the supply chain.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly which parts of your old DVD and VCR players are recyclable, where to take them, how to prepare them, and why proper e-waste recycling matters — for both your community and the planet.
Key Takeaway: How to recycle DVD and VCR players
To recycle DVD and VCR players, remove any batteries or hard drives, bundle cords and accessories, and drop off the device at a certified e-waste recycling center, retailer take-back program, or local collection event. These programs safely recover metals and plastics while preventing toxic components from entering landfills or water systems.
Can You Recycle DVD and VCR Players?
Yes — DVD and VCR players are recyclable and are legally classified as e-waste in many U.S. states. They contain both hazardous substances (like lead solder, mercury, and brominated flame retardants) and valuable recoverable materials such as copper wiring, aluminum, and trace amounts of gold on their circuit boards.
This mix makes them unsafe for the trash but ideal for certified electronics recycling. When dumped in landfills, these devices can leach toxins into the soil and groundwater — putting public health and ecosystems at risk. That’s why states like California ban electronics from landfills altogether.
Certified e-waste recyclers dismantle DVD and VCR players under strict safety standards, capturing the dangerous elements and reintroducing useful metals into the supply chain. Recycling keeps harmful waste out of the environment while recovering finite resources that would otherwise be lost.
What Parts of DVD and VCR Players Are Recyclable?
DVD and VCR players can be recycled for metals (steel, copper, aluminum), circuit boards with precious metals and rare earth magnets, plastic casings and trays, and detachable accessories such as cords, remotes, and power bricks.
Each part requires specialized recovery, which is why certified e-waste recyclers are essential.
Metals (Steel, Copper, Aluminum)
DVD and VCR players are built on a sturdy frame of recyclable metals. The steel chassis and shields provide structure, while aluminum heat sinks keep components cool. Inside, copper windings in motors and wiring harnesses carry electricity. Certified recyclers recover these metals through shredding, magnetic separation, and wire-stripping.
Because metals retain their quality indefinitely, reusing them saves enormous energy compared to mining and smelting virgin ore.
Circuit Boards (Precious Metals and Rare Earth Magnets)
The circuit boards inside DVD and VCR players hold some of the most valuable materials. Copper traces, gold-plated connectors, and small amounts of silver and palladium make them prime candidates for recovery. Certified recyclers send these boards to specialized smelters where metals are extracted through advanced thermal and chemical processes.
While the boards themselves contain little rare earth content, the devices often house small neodymium magnets in spindle motors and speakers. These magnets are captured during metals recovery, adding another critical resource to the recycling stream.
Plastics (Casings, Bezels, Trays)
Much of a DVD or VCR player’s bulk comes from plastic housings — typically ABS or polycarbonate blends used for shells, disc trays, and bezels. In certified recycling facilities, these plastics are sorted, cleaned, and pelletized so they can be reused in new non-food-grade products.
A key caveat is that many older units contain brominated flame retardants in their casings. These additives can release toxic byproducts if mishandled, so certified recyclers carefully screen and divert such plastics to compliant processors rather than general recycling markets.
Other components (wires, remotes, cords, power bricks)
- Wires and cords: Copper conductors with PVC insulation; recovered via chopping/stripping. Keep cables with the unit to improve recycling yield.
- Remotes: Small PCB plus plastic shell; remove any batteries first (button cells are hazardous waste and must be handled separately).
- Power bricks/adapters: Valuable copper windings and ferrites inside; processed with small electronics.
- Media and extras to remove: Take out tapes, discs, or memory cards before drop-off. If your device is a DVD recorder/DVR combo with a hard drive, ask for data destruction; the drive itself is recyclable (aluminum body, neodymium magnets, PCB).
✅ Pro tip: keep everything together—unit, remote, cords, and power brick. Bundled accessories increase recovery rates and reduce sorting costs, which helps certified recyclers process your device more efficiently.
Where to Recycle Old DVD and VCR Players Near Me?
You can recycle DVD and VCR players at certified e-waste centers, retailer take-back programs, and municipal collection events. Each option ensures safe handling of hazardous components while recovering valuable materials.
Electronics Recycling Centers
Certified electronics recyclers (like those following R2 or e-Stewards standards) are the most thorough option. These facilities safely dismantle players, process toxic materials, and often issue Certificates of Recycling for business compliance.
Some may charge a small fee for low-weight items. Always check if cords, remotes, and power bricks can be included.
Retailer Take-Back Programs
Stores like Best Buy and Staples offer in-store recycling drop-offs for DVD and VCR players. These programs are great for households with a few items.
Policies vary by location — some stores limit daily items or exclude bulkier models. Check online or call your nearest store before visiting.
Municipal E-Waste Drop-Off Events
Local waste authorities often host e-waste collection days or maintain permanent hazardous waste drop-off sites. These events typically accept DVD and VCR players alongside other electronics. Proof of residency may be required, and drop-off limits may apply.
Visit your city or county’s waste management site to verify details.
✅ Quick Answer: You can recycle old DVD and VCR players at certified electronics recycling centers, retail store take-back programs (like Best Buy), or city-run e-waste drop-off events. Each method ensures safe removal of toxic materials and recovery of valuable metals, plastics, and circuit boards.
How to Prepare DVD and VCR Players for Recycling
Proper preparation ensures safe handling, protects your data, and increases the amount of recoverable material. Certified e-waste recyclers rely on this first step to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental risk.
Quick Steps: How to Prepare DVD and VCR Players
- Unplug the device and remove batteries from any remotes.
- Gather cords, adapters, and accessories so they can be recycled together.
- Check for storage drives in DVD recorders or DVR combos and wipe personal data.
- Pack the unit securely to avoid damage or leaks during transport.
Why These Steps Matter
- Power and batteries: Removing batteries — especially button cells in remotes — prevents hazardous leaks. Some recyclers require batteries to be bagged or turned in separately.
- Cords and accessories: Keeping everything together improves recycling yield. Copper wiring, ferrite adapters, and small PCBs in remotes are all recoverable.
- Data protection: Certain DVD recorders and DVR/VCR combos include a hard drive. These drives store personal recordings and should be erased or, ideally, processed with certified data destruction.
- Safe transport: Use a sturdy box, avoid stacking heavy items on top, and secure fragile trays or doors with tape. For business pickups, palletizing units at ground level or near an elevator saves time and reduces handling risks.
These steps don’t just make things easier for recyclers — they protect your privacy, prevent toxic leaks, and ensure that as many components as possible are recovered and reintroduced into the manufacturing cycle.
How to Recycle DVD and VCR Players with GreenCitizen (Drop-Off, Pickup, Mail-In Options)
Whether you’re cleaning out old tech at home or managing e-waste for your business, GreenCitizen makes it easy to recycle DVD and VCR players responsibly — with full transparency and no overseas dumping.
Bay Area DVD and VCR Player Drop-Off
Bring your devices to our Burlingame EcoCenter, open six days a week. We accept DVD and VCR players, cords, remotes, power adapters, and other electronics. Our certified recycling staff ensures everything is processed under strict environmental and safety standards.
Business Recycling Pickups
Located in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Palo Alto, or Mountain View? Schedule an onsite pickup with GreenCitizen. We handle logistics, provide chain-of-custody tracking, and issue Certificates of Recycling to support your ESG and compliance goals.
Nationwide Mail-In Recycling
Not in the Bay Area? Use our secure mail-in program to recycle your DVD and VCR players from anywhere in the U.S. This is ideal for households or small offices with limited quantities. Shipping instructions and tracking are provided.
Every item we collect is logged in our proprietary GreenCitizen Total Accountability Management System (GTAMS). You get full transparency from pickup to final processing — no overseas dumping, no data exposure, no greenwashing.
With nearly 20 years of experience and over 32 million pounds of electronics recycled, GreenCitizen is your trusted partner for safe, certified e-waste recycling — helping you protect the planet while meeting sustainability and data security goals.
Why You Should Recycle DVD and VCR Players (Environmental and Legal Reasons)
Old DVD and VCR players may seem harmless, but tossing them in the trash can have lasting consequences. These devices contain lead solder, mercury, and brominated flame retardants — chemicals that can contaminate soil, pollute groundwater, and threaten human health when they leach from landfills.
At the same time, they’re full of recyclable resources: copper wiring, aluminum heat sinks, rare earth magnets, and high-quality plastics. When recycled through certified e-waste programs, these materials are recovered and reused — keeping them out of landfills and in circulation through a circular economy.
For residents and businesses in the Bay Area, GreenCitizen offers drop-off, business pickup, and national mail-in options backed by GTAMS — our accountability system that ensures your electronics are recycled responsibly, not dumped or exported.
Wherever you are, choosing a certified electronics recycler protects your community, conserves resources, and helps build a cleaner, more sustainable future.
