Can VHS Videos Be Recycled? 📼

Can VHS Videos Be Recycled? 📼: It used to bring me so much joy in my younger years when my mother would make me milk and cookies while setting up the old Pinocchio VHS tape.

That was probably the best time of my life as a kid. Nowadays, you would not find those kinds of tapes sold on the market. Today, when you think of watching a film at home, the first thing that comes to mind is Netflix, so you probably do not have any use for VHS tapes anymore except for their sentimental value (or selling value, as well!).

But, back in the old days, you could watch many of your favourite films by buying its VHS tape and putting it on the player.

So, my question is: can your collected VHS videos be recycled if you have no use for them anymore? And, where can you drop them off? Read on to learn more.

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A bit about Waster

Before I discuss where VHS videos can be recycled, let me share with you more information about Waster.

We here at Waster provide you with innovative solutions for you and your business’s waste management and recycling needs. Furthermore, we provide flexible, 30-day contracts instead of the typical lock-in contracts, which proves to be better.

Click on the blue button to learn more.

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READ: Is Silicone Recyclable? ♻️

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Yes, VHS videos can be recycled!

Here in Australia, you can definitely find a number of companies that recycle VHS and audio cassette tapes. Obviously, if we have no want or use for them, we should take them to recyclers and avoid them from going into a landfill.

After all, problems will arise if you do throw it in the household trash. You cannot biodegrade VHS tapes; they will only persist in a landfill if you throw them in the general waste bin.

Instead, you can let VHS videos and audio cassette tapes be repaired or recycled by different companies here in Australia. Just a quick reminder: do not throw them in your recycling bin.

 

What makes up a VHS tape?

Generally, VHS videos are made from two types of plastic. The case is made of #5 plastic, also known as polypropylene (PP). Then on the inside, it is made with Mylar, a polypropylene (PET) or #1 plastic. It also contains some form of metal coating.

 

Why should you recycle them?

As I have mentioned above, the primary reason you should recycle VHS videos is that you would want them to avoid going into landfill, as you would any other e-waste materials.

Other types of e-waste materials like VHS videos include computers, mobile phones, CDs and DVDs, and players. If left unchecked in landfills, e-waste – VHS tapes included – will sit there for a thousand years or more, unable to biodegrade for long periods of time.

Additionally, the metals included will leech into the ground, therefore contaminating it. And, if they find themselves going into an incinerator, they will release harmful chemicals like dioxins.

Moreover, they contain, along with audio cassettes, valuable resources such as polycarbonate that recyclers can reuse to manufacture new plastic products.

 

What the recyclers do with the VHS videos

Recyclers generally do two things to your VHS videos: repair or recycle.

Repair: They repair the videos to be restored and put it on CDs and DVDs for storage purposes.

Recycle: First, the process involves the separation of various plastic parts of these videos. Then, after separating them, the recyclers then granulate and finally recycle them. They mix the plastic parts with other plastics and give the paper parts to other paper recyclers for them to process.

 

Where can VHS videos be recycled?

You can find many Australian companies that recycle e-waste such as VHS tapes. By searching through Planet Ark’s Business Recycling page, you can find many drop-off and pickup locations for both your VHS videos and audio cassette tapes, to be recycled.

You should contact the recycling programs first if they accept VHS videos, as policies keep changing all the time. Be patient and keep calling and searching until you reach a company that does accept VHS videos to be recycled.

Additionally, they may either come in cardboard or plastic cases. You can place the cardboard ones in your recycling bin. But, for the plastic ones, you recycle the same way you want to recycle your VHS videos: by searching for companies that accept such plastics.

 

What can I do with them aside from recycling?

If no options arise in trying to recycle your VHS tapes, you can try repurposing them, instead. You can find many designs on Pinterest that you can try to do. This includes upcycled VHS tapes such as cabinets, art crafts, pencil cases, and more.

Additionally, if you search long enough into different places, you might find thrift stores or collectors that will take a liking to your old VHS tapes. I myself encounter people who enjoy the nostalgia that VHS tapes provide. So, if you ever think of selling or giving it to them, do so and get rid of them from your hands and make others happy.

 

Conclusion

You can indeed recycle VHS tapes here in Australia. Remember to also recycle their cases, as well. If no opportunities arise to recycle, consider selling or reusing them, instead.

 

FAQs:

1. Where can you recycle VHS tapes for free? Generally, in Australia, only companies collect and recycle VHS tapes. So, expect to pay when you do require their services.
2. Can old VHS tapes be recycled? Yes, you can recycle even the very old VHS tapes, provided they are in optimal condition.
3. Are VHS tapes recyclable in Australia? If you read our blog, you can find the answer here. And, the answer: yes.

 

Waster: things you need to know

If you’re looking for recycling bins, check our waste recycling shop and find the best deals in terms of pricing and services.

Also, please call 1300 WASTER (1300 927 837), or email us at [email protected] if you have any further questions.