Jewel Case Recycle and Upcycle Your Old Media

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High-quality image of an unused CD in a jewel case, perfect for technology concepts.
Credit: pexels.com, High-quality image of an unused CD in a jewel case, perfect for technology concepts.

Jewel cases are a major contributor to waste, with over 1 billion units produced annually.

Many jewel cases are made from a combination of plastic and aluminum, making them difficult to recycle.

Before recycling, make sure to remove any plastic inserts or sleeves from the jewel case.

Can CDs and DVDs Be Recycled?

CDs and DVDs can be recycled, but not all recycling facilities will accept them. Unfortunately, CDs and their cases are no exception to the e-waste spectrum.

Polystyrene used in CD cases contains Styrene and Benzene, two carcinogenic materials that can leach into water supplies or the atmosphere from landfills. This is why it's essential to recycle them properly.

You can recycle the paper insert from a CD case, which is the easiest part to recycle. Simply pluck it out and recycle it with the rest of your paper goods.

CD jewel cases are recyclable and can be left at the curbside for collection, especially if your community has a widespread Styrofoam recycling program.

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Benefits of Recycling

A cheerful man in trendy attire displays jewelry from an open case in an indoor setting.
Credit: pexels.com, A cheerful man in trendy attire displays jewelry from an open case in an indoor setting.

Recycling DVD and CD cases can help reduce the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills.

Only 9% of plastic waste in the US was recycled in 2018, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Recycling these cases can also conserve natural resources.

Every square mile of our ocean contains over 45,000 individual pieces of plastic, as of 2022.

By recycling DVD and CD cases, we can make a small but significant impact on reducing plastic waste.

Harmful toxins are emitted when these materials are disposed of incorrectly, seeping into our soils and entering waterways and the ocean.

Recycling these cases is a simple way to help mitigate this problem.

Recycling programs in your area may accept DVD and CD cases, made of mixed plastics, which are more challenging to recycle than single-use plastics.

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How to Recycle

To recycle jewel cases, start by separating the paper insert from the plastic case. You can pluck it out and recycle it with the rest of your paper goods.

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Photo of Person Holding a Black and White Case with Two Gold Rings
Credit: pexels.com, Photo of Person Holding a Black and White Case with Two Gold Rings

The plastic parts of jewel cases are made from polypropylene (PP 5) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET 1), but these materials are rarely accepted in curbside recycling programs.

Check with your local recycling program to see if they accept DVD and CD cases, as some programs may not due to the mixed plastics used in their construction.

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Are CD Cases Recyclable and Which Parts?

CD cases are recyclable, but only certain parts can be recycled separately. The easiest part to recycle is the paper insert, which you can remove from the case and recycle with your other paper goods.

More ornate CD cases often come with multiple paper inserts, so be sure to double-check that you've got them all.

CD cases and CDs won't biodegrade easily, so it's essential to recycle or reuse them to prevent them from contaminating the soil and air with toxins.

Recycling or donating CD cases can give you a good feeling inside, and you might even be able to sell them and make some money.

If you're recycling CD cases, separate the discs from the cases, as they're made of a different type of plastic and can't be recycled together.

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How to Recycle DVDs and CDs

Pastel Colors in a Case
Credit: pexels.com, Pastel Colors in a Case

CDs and DVDs are a big part of our digital lives, but what happens to them when we're done with them? It's great that we can recycle them, and it's actually quite easy. You can recycle the paper inserts from CD cases, just pull them out and recycle them with the rest of your paper goods.

CD cases are made of different materials, but recycling them is a great way to reduce waste. If you have multiple paper inserts, make sure to check that you've got them all. Don't just throw them away, recycle them instead.

Recycling CDs and DVDs is important because they won't biodegrade easily, and if they end up in landfills, they can contaminate the soil and air with toxins. It's a good feeling to know you're doing the right thing by recycling them.

CD jewel cases are recyclable, and they're made from a type of plastic called injection-molded polystyrene. You can leave these at the curbside for collection if you have a curbside recycling program that accepts them.

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Closed Grey Leather Case
Credit: pexels.com, Closed Grey Leather Case

DVD and Blu-ray cases are also recyclable, but they're made from different types of plastic, and curbside recycling programs might not accept them. However, you can still recycle them, and it's worth looking into local recycling programs to see what's available.

Recycling CDs and DVDs is a great way to reduce waste and help the environment. It's a simple step we can all take to make a difference.

Alternative Options

If your local recycling program doesn't accept DVD and CD cases, there are still alternative ways to recycle them.

You can upcycle old DVD and CD cases into unique craft projects, such as making jewelry boxes or decorative magnets.

Local thrift stores and second-hand shops may accept used DVD and CD cases for reuse or resale.

Some companies specialize in recycling electronic waste, including DVD and CD cases, so be sure to search online for options in your area.

Many libraries and community centers have programs to collect and recycle electronic waste, including DVD and CD cases.

You can also check with local schools and universities to see if they have any recycling programs for electronic waste.

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Upcycling and Repurposing

Man in Green Jacket Leaning Head on Blue Case
Credit: pexels.com, Man in Green Jacket Leaning Head on Blue Case

You can get creative with old CDs by breaking them up into squares and decorating a picture frame with the glass to create a mosaic. Make sure to sand the edges first because they can be very sharp.

You can also turn an old CD case into a futuristic notebook or use multiple CDs to create a pencil holder for your office desk. Check out some more CD repurposing ideas online to spark your creativity.

Jewel cases, made from polystyrene, can be recycled into plastic hangers, goldfish bowls, children's toys, and even artificial wood, such as decorative dado rails.

Repurposing Old CDs

You can break up an old CD into squares and decorate a picture frame with the glass to create a mosaic. Be sure to sand the edges if you do end up modifying a CD because they can be very sharp.

Old CD cases can be transformed into futuristic notebooks. Take your creativity to the next level and give it a try!

You can use multiple CDs to create a pencil holder for your office desk. Check out some more CD repurposing ideas published on Reader's Digest to get inspired.

Upcycle

Close up of Black Case
Credit: pexels.com, Close up of Black Case

Upcycling is a great way to give old items new life. You can turn plastic hangers, goldfish bowls, and even decorative dado rails into useful items from old polystyrene jewel cases.

Polystyrene jewel cases can be recycled into a variety of things, including children's toys. This is a great way to reduce plastic waste and conserve natural resources.

Upcycling old DVD and CD cases is also a fantastic idea. You can use them to store small items like jewelry, craft supplies, or office supplies.

Consider donating or selling old DVD and CD cases online if your local recycling program doesn't accept them. Every little bit counts in our efforts to reduce plastic waste.

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Why Recycle?

Recycling jewel cases is a simple yet impactful way to reduce plastic waste. Every square mile of our ocean contains over 45,000 individual pieces of plastic as of 2022.

By recycling DVD and CD cases, we can reduce the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills. Only 9% of plastic waste in the US was recycled in 2018.

Recycling jewel cases helps conserve natural resources. It's a small step that can make a big difference.

Mixed plastics, like those found in jewel cases, are more challenging to recycle than single-use plastics. But that doesn't mean we should give up.

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Reduce

Close-up of a luxurious jewelry box with exquisite gold and jeweled accessories in an elegant display.
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of a luxurious jewelry box with exquisite gold and jeweled accessories in an elegant display.

Reducing waste is a great place to start when it comes to jewel case recycling. You can reuse old jewel cases for storing small items like jewelry, buttons, or safety pins.

If you burn your own CDs, consider using up the jewel cases you already have instead of buying new ones. This can save you money and reduce clutter.

Gretchen Gerhold

Writer

Gretchen Gerhold has established herself as a prolific writer, covering a diverse range of topics including logistics, trade, and economic development. Her articles on container terminals and the logistics sector in India provide deep insights into the complexities of modern supply chain management. Focusing on the state of Kerala, her work on the economy and transport in Kochi highlights the region's significant contributions to India's economic landscape.

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