Almost all of us have old VHS and cassette tapes lurking in our attics and basements. Here’s how you can get rid of them.
Did you know that each VHS tape contains around 1,410 feet of magnetic tape inside its plastic casing? That's a lot of material, making it quite a challenge to get rid of them in an eco-friendly way.
Picture this: countless VHS and cassette tapes are still tucked away in nooks and crannies of our homes, from dusty garages to forgotten attic boxes and old, creaky shelves.
Let's take a little trip down memory lane.
In the USA, the last standard VHS release on home video happened on March 14, 2006. Funai Electric made the last player in July 2016. These VHS tapes are as dead as the dodo, and there’s no sign of them making a comeback. DVDs and streaming have long taken tapes’ place as the movie formats of choice.
Now, you might be asking yourself, "What on earth do I do with all these old VHS tapes lying around?"
Can you recycle VHS tapes?
The answer is yes, absolutely! VHS tapes are made of #5 plastic (polypropylene) and Mylar (polyethylene terephthalate), which are both recyclable materials. However, there's a catch. Not every recycling facility can handle the operation.
Now, let’s find out how you can take part in VHS and cassette tape recycling and make a stance against e-waste.
Note: GreenCitizen editorial team reviews the products independently with extensive research. This post contains affiliate links and we may earn affiliate commissions if you purchase anything using our links. Check our complete affiliate disclosure for more information.
How To Recycle VHS Tapes and Cassette Tapes
Step 1: Understand the Challenge
VHS and cassette tapes are made of plastic and magnetic tape, which most local recycling programs won't accept. The magnetic tape can also be hazardous if it's not disposed of properly.
Step 2: Consider Reusing
Before thinking of recycling, see if someone might want them. Old tapes can be a goldmine for collectors or artists. Try donating them to thrift stores, selling them online, or offering them to art schools for creative projects.
Step 3: Find a Specialized Recycler
There are companies that specialize in recycling VHS and cassette tapes. They dismantle the tapes and recycle the components safely. Do a quick online search for "VHS and cassette tape recycling" to find a local or mail-in program.
Step 4: Prepare the Tapes for Recycling
If you're using a specialized recycler, check their guidelines. Some may require you to remove the tapes from their cases, while others will take them as is.
Step 5: Mail or Drop Off
If you're mailing them, package them securely. If there's a drop-off location nearby, that's even better as it reduces the carbon footprint associated with shipping.
Step 6: Consider the VHS and Cassette Cases
The plastic cases can sometimes be recycled in your curbside recycling bin. Check with your local recycling program for their specific rules.
Step 7: Digital Conversion
For tapes with personal or valuable content, consider converting them to digital formats. This way, you preserve the content without needing to keep the physical tapes.
Step 8: Spread the Word
Share what you've learned with friends and family. The more people know about proper disposal methods, the better for the environment.
Additional Tip: Hazardous Waste
If you can't find a specialized recycler and there's no other option, treat the tapes as hazardous waste. Your local waste management facility should have guidelines on how to dispose of them safely.
By following these steps, you’re not just decluttering your space but also contributing positively to the environment.
It's a bit of effort, but it's worth it for the sake of our planet!
Recycling VHS Tapes in The San Francisco Bay Area
Do you live in the San Francisco Bay Area?
You can recycle VHS tapes and cassette tapes with GreenCitizen. Both businesses and individuals can avail of our recycling services for those items.
For Businesses
- Head to our business recycling pickup page and schedule a pickup of your old tapes. We do local business recycling pickups every Monday to Friday from 10AM - 6PM.
- Fill out the form on our page, giving us all the necessary details about your business and the VHS tapes you’re recycling.
- Click on the Request Pickup button so we can start helping you get rid of them easily.
- You can also opt to mail them to us for a more hassle-free experience. Just head to our mail-in recycling page and fill out our mail-in recycling form. The whole process is fast and easy, and you can see it in full in that page.
For Individuals
- Pack up your used VHS tapes and drop by our Burlingame EcoCenter located at 1831 Bayshore Highway, Suite 2, Burlingame, CA 94010. Our recycling center is open every Monday to Friday from 10 AM - 6PM.
- Please note that we charge $1 per pound to recycle VHS tapes and small cassette tapes. You can check our recycling fees page to see which items we recycle for free and which items we cannot recycle.
- If you prefer to mail your VHS tapes to us our mail-in recycling page will give you all the instructions on how you can do that.
Impact of Proper VHS Tape Recycling
Here at GreenCitizen, we recycle VHS tapes using the waste-to-energy incineration method.
Considering all the available recycling options from an environmental and data security perspective, we believe this is the best way to recycle videotapes.
This is because waste-to-energy incineration minimizes environmental impact, reduces landfill, and avoids global dumping.
Based on the information available at Covanta, GreenCitizen’s energy-to-waste incineration partner, Energy-from-Waste (EfW) is widely recognized as a technology that can help mitigate climate change.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), every ton of municipal solid waste processed at an EfW facility prevents the release of approximately one ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions into the atmosphere.
The EfW facility does this by avoiding methane generation at landfills, offsetting greenhouse gases from fossil fuel electrical production, and recovering metals.
It’s important to recycle VHS tapes because the Mylar plastic tape inside is coated with metals considered to be hazardous waste, while the rest is made from #5 plastics which will take centuries to degrade.
Landfills are the largest source of human-made methane. Methane has been found to be over 30 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, according to the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
If we apply the waste-to-energy (WtE) model globally, there’s a potential to save 3.7 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases as CO2 each year. That’s equivalent to installing two million one-megawatt wind turbines or doubling nuclear power plant capacity!
In the United States, you can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to closing more than 60 large coal-fired power plants if you recycle VHS tapes with GreenCitizen.
Now you know what to do with VHS tapes.
Next I'll tell you where and how you can get rid of them if they won’t go into the local plastic recycling bin.
Where To Recycle VHS Tapes and Cassette Tapes
As we've mentioned above, you can easily recycle VHS tapes and cassette tapes with us at GreenCitizen.
You can do that by dropping them off at our Burlingame EcoCenter or by mailing them to us.
We can also pick them up for you if you're in the San Francisco Bay Area. (The pickup service is only available for businesses*)
If you’re outside the San Francisco Bay Area, you can avail of our mail-in recycling services or use the Green Directory to find locations of other electronic recycling facilities near you.
How To Get Rid of VHS Tapes for Money
Depending on the content and condition of your VHS tapes and audiotapes, they might be worth something to somebody. You might not be aware of it, but people recycle and collect all kinds of things, and that includes VHS tapes.
These are the different ways that you can get rid of VHS tapes for money:
- If you can’t recycle VCR tapes, you could sell them online to the highest bidder. We’ve seen rare ones go for as much as $9,000!
- You can also get rid of them by bringing the buyers to you via a yard sale or a Craigslist ad.
- While the stores that used to sell and rent VHS tapes are mostly out of business, you can still find music stores that might be interested in trading a VHS tape or an audio cassette for cash.
- There are still a few people in the world who love audio and VHS tapes as a recording medium, and they might be interested in recycling your VHS tapes collection as raw materials to erase, reuse, and recycle.
Aren't glad for this insider information on what to do with old VCR tapes?
Where To Donate VHS Tapes
If you’re looking to donate or recycle VHS tapes in the modern age, you’re mostly going to be dealing with niche markets and collectors.
Here are some of the places where you can donate VHS tapes:
Local Recycling Companies
First things first, check if there is a local recycling company you can donate them to. Some local recycling services have specialized VHS tapes recycling services.
Libraries or Charity Shops
You could also donate VHS tapes to library services or to a local charity shop if they accept them.
Vintage Shops and Record Stores
You can also try looking for local vintage shops and old record stores that may sometimes get customers that are interested in VHS tapes and cassettes.
Waste can be reclaimed as a resource—something of value, rather than something to discard—to reduce the use of raw materials and energy.
The Drawdown Report
How To Reuse VHS and Cassette Tapes
If you’re wondering what to do with VHS movies, wonder no more. If you’re crafty, there are so many various ways you can decorate VHS tapes or their cases.
For example, you can recycle and repurpose plastic VHS tape cases into tote bags and purses as seen in the video below.
People also often make interesting lights and lamps from VHS tapes. You can recycle the clear plastic windows in the front of the tapes to emit light.
For example, this YouTube tutorial uses the tape to create a beautiful lamp.
How Can I Save My Content from VHS Tapes, Data, and Cassette Tapes?
Want to know how to dispose of VHS tapes and cassette tapes while keeping your precious memories alive?
Before recycling or sending tapes off for VHS disposal, you should save that irreplaceable content by converting your VHS tapes to digital format.
For this, I recommend Legacybox because it’s the most dedicated company to offer professional quality video digitizing services.
They helped me convert all my old VHS tapes to the digital formats of my choice — whether it was to a DVD, a USB drive, or to the cloud.
VHS to DVD Conversion Service
Their Convert Video To Digital service is compatible with many different systems, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of looking for any other service to digitize all your old media.
To use their service, all you need to do is order a Legacybox kit. Once you receive your kit, just pack your VHS tapes along with the safety barcode labels that come with it. This is to make sure that all your tapes are properly tracked and accounted for. Then send the kit back to them (for free).
After that, they'll send you back your newly digitized videos along with your original VHS tapes within a reasonable amount of time.
What one of the things I appreciate the most about Legacybox is that you get regular personalized email updates about your items, giving you peace of mind that your memories are being well-taken cared of. No other digitizing service does that as far as I know.
Cassette Tapes to CD/Digital/Cloud Conversion Service
Meanwhile, what do you do with old cassette tapes once you're ready to get rid of them? How can you convert their contents to digital format?
Good thing is, Legacybox can also convert your audio cassette tapes to whatever digital format you choose.
With their Convert Cassette Tapes to Digital service, any kind of tape is fair game for conversion, whether it's a compact cassette, audio cassette, reel-to-reel tape, or cassette tape.
Legacybox is popular for a lot of users because their professionals, technology, and facilities are some of the best in the industry when it comes to digitizing analog media.
Their prices are reasonable as well, which allows you to preserve your priceless moments without burning a hole in your pocket.
I like them because they have allowed me to breathe new life back to my analog media and recover important memories, which is the whole point, isn't it?
Why Is It Important To Recycle VHS Tapes?
It’s important to recycle VHS tapes because the Mylar plastic tape inside is coated with metals considered to be hazardous waste, while the rest is made from #5 plastic which will take centuries to degrade.
However, this also makes recycling VHS tapes difficult. You can’t simply throw them into the plastic recycling bin or bring them to the landfill.
Why?
Because if they sit in the landfill for too long, the toxic metals in VHS tapes will seep into the ground.
VHS tapes will degrade over time. Even with being kept in climate control and whatnot, things will adhere, the tape will get weak, and it will lose quality over time for just sitting.
Christopher Rokosz, Digital Lifestyle Expert
Another reason why it’s difficult to recycle VHS tapes is because they’re not cost-effective.
The same can be said when you recycle cassette tapes.
Here's the thing: The value of getting anything useful out of them is below the cost in person-hours required to break the tapes down for plastic recycling.
In fact, next to Styrofoam, those two things might be the most difficult household items to recycle.
Read More:
What Are VHS Tapes?
What Does VHS Stand For?
VHS stands for “video home system.”
The technology was developed by Victor Company of Japan (JVC) in the early 1970s. VHS tapes were commercially released in Japan on September 9, 1976, and in the United States on August 23, 1977.
However, as early as the 1950s, magnetic tapes were already being used in the television industry, which required a much faster production cycle than the movie industry’s slower pace of working with film stock instead of tapes.
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, the two popular videotape formats were VHS and Betamax. Betamax, Sony Corporation’s competing video tapes format, was released in Japan on May 10, 1975.
“Beta” was superior in many ways, but it was also more expensive. Because of this, VHS tapes ultimately won the market for home video tapes.
What Are VHS Tapes Made From?
VHS tapes are made from #5 plastic and Mylar.
The outside case is made from #5 plastic (polypropylene), which will take centuries to biodegrade (via microorganisms) or photodegrade (via sunlight).
The plastic tape inside, on the other hand, is made from Mylar (polyethylene terephthalate). It’s a #1 plastic that’s coated with chromium, iron oxide, and other metals considered to be hazardous waste.
How About Computer Data Tapes?
Computer data tapes have similar disposal and recycling issues to old plastic VCR tapes.
For decades, old computer data tapes were widely used to back up data on mainframe and minicomputers used by businesses, institutions, government, and the military.
The data stored on these old tapes are often highly sensitive. Whether it’s backup data from a hospital, a bank, or a loan company, it’s all confidential information about people and businesses.
In the United States, you can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to closing more than 60 large coal-fired power plants if you recycle VHS tapes with GreenCitizen.
As such, recycling old data tapes should be done with great care to avoid identity theft and security breaches from the tape’s sensitive information.
FAQ
Yes, VHS tapes are recyclable. You can recycle them with specialist VHS tape recycling services like GreenCitizen, though there will normally be a fee. You could also choose to send them to a waste-to-energy incineration recycling plant where they will be burned to produce green energy.
Best Buy does not recycle VHS tapes. However, it does recycle old VCRs and camcorders, so there may be some related items that you can send to Best Buy. Depending on the item you’re recycling, they may recycle for free or they may charge a small recycling fee.
You can buy old VHS tapes on websites like eBay. You might also find them on Facebook marketplace groups and other online forums where people buy and sell items. Some charity shops, vintage shops, and record stores might also sell them.
Some charity shops might still take VHS tapes, but many of them will not do so anymore. Unfortunately, VHS tapes just don't sell well in these shops, so they would rather save their shelf space for DVDs. However, some vintage shops and old record stores will sometimes accept VHS tapes and might even pay for them.
You can’t throw VHS tapes in the garbage because when they go to the landfill, they will not decompose for around 1,000 years, which will contribute massively to climate change. Instead, try to recycle, sell, or repurpose them where possible.
Staples does not currently recycle VHS tapes. If you want to get rid of them, you'll need to use a recycling service like GreenCitizen that does VHS tapes and cassette tapes recycling. You may also be able to send them to a facility that burns trash to produce green energy.
Most pawnshops will not buy VHS tapes because they are worth so little. Unless your VHS tapes are rare or are highly sought-after by collectors, then they won't probably be bought by a pawnshop. Pawning them is nonetheless worth a try if you really don’t know what to do with old VHS tapes.
Some Oxfam shops do take VHS tapes, but it’s not very common these days. Even if you find an Oxfam that does accept VHS tapes donations, they’ll probably only accept only a few pieces rather than a large collection.
Yes, you can donate VHS tapes to Goodwill. According to their website, they accept several forms of media including VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, Blu-Rays and vinyl records. So if you don’t know what to do with VHS tapes, Goodwill is a great place to try.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed that guide on how to recycle VHS tapes and cassette tapes. Disposing of them is not easy, but proper disposal of those items is essential for protecting the environment.
If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area, recycle your VHS and cassette tapes by dropping them off or mailing them to the GreenCitizen EcoCenter now. Or schedule a recycling pick-up with us (The pickup service is only available for businesses*).
It’s too many of these VHS tapes are too much, but I’m going to donate it to Goodwill that too many VHS tapes.
Thank you for sharing this helpful guide on how to recycle VHS tapes. It is important to find ways to dispose of old technology properly and sustainably, and your post provides some valuable tips.
I was particularly interested in the suggestion to look for specialized recycling facilities that can handle VHS tapes. It’s good to know that there are options beyond just throwing them in the trash.
One thing I would add is that it’s worth considering donating old VHS tapes to libraries or community organizations, as some may still find value in the content. However, it’s important to ensure that the tapes are in good condition and still work properly before donating them.
Overall, this post provides some great information on how to responsibly dispose of VHS tapes. Thanks again for sharing.
As outlined in this blog post and elsewhere on the web, the tape in VHS has hazardous metals. How are the metals handled by the waste-to-energy incineration? Are the metals released in anyway? How are they disposed of along with what’s left from incineration? Since metals leaching in a landfill are a concern, is incineration of the mylar tape with with these metals a safer way to dispose of them?
Thanks.
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Sadly, burning is not green.
Here’s an idea, we make a giant sculpture out of unwanted vhs tapes – a building sized monstrosity that’s as ugly as it is huge. I can’t stress the importance of the size, this sculpture must not be able to fit in any kind of museum or art gallery.
…and then we leave it at JVC-Kenwood’s Head Office door with a note saying: “you introduced this monstrosity to the planet, now YOU can recycle it”.
No art gallery will be able to hold it so they can’t sell it on, they will either have to put up with it clogging up the entire street or they can put in the effort to recycle it.
Instead of thousands of us having to deal with this white elephant, let ONE company – the company that brought this monster into existence deal with the problem.
Could I just take the cassette apart, put the plastic shell into the recycle bin, and send you the mylar? Seems like it would weigh less and therefore cost less.
Hi GMH; the plastic cassette will take centuries to degrade. That’s why it’s so important for them and the mylar material to be recycled.
Thank you for trying. But if no one want the VCR tapes I have, off to the trash since no-one wants to take them and recycle.
Waste to energy is a good idea. Burn trash (with emissions controls) , make heat, heat water to make steam, then turn a turbine to make electricity.
I’m in the same boat! I’m in Southern California and can’t drive up to San Francisco, to recycle several heavy boxes of something.
A Senior Citizen neighbor of mine has three LARGE storage boxes FULL of VHS and Beta tapes to get out of his apartment, along with “who knows how many boxes” of cassette and reel-to-reel tapes. Not sure I’m really concerned that it takes 1,000 years for them to decompose though, since the world is scheduled to end from Climate Change in 10 years.
Having a global expiration date is somewhat liberating. 🙂
I have a TIVO machine that will record TV shows off the air, which I can later use to download the show to a VHS tape, but not to DVD.
Is there a machine to record TV shows off the air, onto a DVD?
Hello Yorkman – yes you can look for a Toshiba D-R560KU. Put an antenna on it and “tape” away!
Thanks for sharing this amazing guide and helpful walk-throughs!
This exactly the kind of info i’ve been looking for. Much appreciated.
Just wondering…. if #5 plastic takes centuries to degrade…. why are so many places like large pharmacy chains, that distribute millions of bottled prescriptions annually, still using it? I guess I sound ignorant for someone over 60 but my father was disgusted with waste and pollution back in the early 60s. Yet, here we are… on the brink of irreversible effects of climate change. If our SELFISH country… no, WORLD, cannot shut up and listen now while COVID-19 has put the breaks on most every other activity… when will the message get through and change be effectuated? Humans truly are the worst, most despicable species to be stewards of our world.
Just breathes, turn-off your television, and think back to when you were 12 years old and were first told that the world was going to end in 10 years. Have some Tulsi tea and smile as your anxiety slowly dissipates. God still loves you. 🙂
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