5 reasons why you shouldn't throw your old CDs away

If you’re like most people, you’ve completely digitised your music library, rendering those stacks and stacks of CDs you keep in your entertainment centre useless and wasting precious storage space. You might as well go ahead and throw those old discs out, right? Think again. Here are the top 5 reasons why you shouldn’t throw your old CDs away—and some suggestions for what you can do with them instead:

1) They’re worth money.

In these poor economic conditions, most of us are looking for ways to cut costs around the home and make a little extra pocket cash. One way you can accomplish this is to trade in your old CDs to stores and websites with buyback programs. Don’t stop with your old CDs; round up those old electronics your kids no longer use, too. For instance, you can earn some cash by selling games with musicMagpie.



2) They’re bad for the environment.

CDs, DVDs, and video games are comprised of several materials—aluminium, gold, silver, nickel, and petroleum-derived plastics, lacquers, and dyes—that are toxic to the environment. They pollute groundwater, which, in turn, can eventually lead to a number of human health problems. If you’re really anxious to get rid of your old discs, don’t toss them in the bin. Recycle old CDs and sell unwanted DVDs to reduce your carbon footprint.



3) They can be upcycled.

The best way to dispose of old CDs is not to dispose of them at all; instead, use them as an opportunity to get crafty with the kids and create something new. There are many great ideas for turning your unwanted discs into something new and fun that your kids will enjoy—picture frames, scrapbooks, jewellery, and even cool coaster sets.



4) They can be donated.

Another eco-friendly option for your CD and DVD collections is to donate them to a charitable organisation. Although you may no longer want these old discs, they can be put to good use at public events hosted by not-for-profits. In addition, keep in mind that vintage music lovers are always looking to add to their collection—and cheaply! Your old discs might be just what they were looking for.



5) They have sentimental value.

In a way, parting with your old CDs is like saying goodbye to an entire era of your life. They represent the days when we listened to entire albums from start to finish, cherished cover art, and consulted CD booklets to learn the lyrics to our favourite songs. CDs might seem archaic to your kids, but you undoubtedly have some fond memories of them. Consider holding on to them—and the memories they represent—a little longer.

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