Comments on: Ask Unclutterer: Getting rid of old CDs

By: bree

bree — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:04:04 +0000

@lindsay, i know its a few months later, but i ahev a lot of cds to recycle. i used to run a record label. so i got lots. contact me at pumpkinradio at hotmail.

By: Becca

Becca — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:44:39 +0000

Lindsay, do you have a contact address or website? I work in the music industry and have about 200-300 used music CD’s to get rid of.

And, as well, that’s an idea for you. Pittsburgh probably doesn’t have a ton of record labels but if you call around, they may be able to donate.

By: dan

dan — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:22:55 +0000

@Justin: That doesn’t seem like the best idea. Couldn’t someone just polish off the surface layer that had the sharpie on it and then read it?

By: Thomas Stevens

Thomas Stevens — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:40:22 +0000

I use a crosscut shredder that can handle them, but there are plenty good tips above.

By: Chris Gee

Chris Gee — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:44:22 +0000

@Tim Carlson, Hi Tim, I believe that selling or donating the originals is not a violation of US copyright law. However, ripping the CDs is a violation of copyright in most jurisdictions. Some countries allow the creation of backup or a copy for personal use of the original. In any case, your actions would not be piracy, which is a large-scale duplication and distribution for profit. Piracy is a criminal offence in many jurisdictions, but generally copyright is not protected by the criminal code. The copyright holders (or the RIAA) would have to sue you. I am in no way counselling you to breach domestic and/or international law, the risks of ripping one’s personal CD collection are very very low. Enjoy the music.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:50:36 +0000

If the cds come with jewel boxes please think of your local public library – libraries can generally use unbroken jewel boxes as replacements for circulating cd collections.

And of course if the cds are of music your local library might be interested!

By: allen

allen — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:42:13 +0000

@Tim Carlson: Thank you for being maybe the FIRST person i’ve seen online/on tv-shows that actually CARE about this part of the issue: The legal one.

My advice is similar to Sheryl, KEEP THEM. Honestly, it’s not worth the pain/hassle. DO you have a CD player in your car? You could keep some of your favorites in a visor-thingy. they have ones that hold like 20. I know that’s probably only a small portion.

If you have a garage, you could stick them into some rubbermaid containers (plastic, and a bit of a seel (sp?)), and stash them in the above-bit. same with an attic. If you only have an appartment… well, to a certain extent, you’re screwed. Maybe a good friend/relative will let you keep them stashed away in their attic, or garage space.

I’m all for cutting back/freeing up space, &c, but keep in mind that unless you ripped your CDs to lossless (like FLAC), what you have is much crappier then what you paid for. shredding the CDs when you’re trusting to crappier sound, on material that is designed to fail just doesn’t seem like good planning?

If you DO want to get rid of some, and want to follow the legal aspect, check which CDs you never listen to really, and delete those, & then sell them to a used CD place.

Good Luck!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:17:12 +0000

I send my electronic waste (CD jewel cases, CDs, floppy disks, etc.) to http://www.greendisk.com, an electronics recycling service. It costs a little bit, but it’s not very expensive and it’s worth it to me to know the stuff is being recycled.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:23:46 +0000

You can always donate music cds to your local library.

By: Z

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 08:44:14 +0000

I use old CDs for craft projects. I hate to dump stuff that’s still in good condition and can be used for other purposes, and I’m glad I found crafting.

By: Tim Carlson

Tim Carlson — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 04:46:58 +0000

@Sheryl – That was a real concern of mine until my hard drive actually crashed about a year ago. Luckily I didn’t lose anything, but it was enough to get me on a regular backup routine. Ironically, the crash actually made me protect my data better!

I backup to a separate hard drive using Time Machine. I also burned my entire hard drive to DVDs, which I keep at work, and I backup selected files online with Carbonite.

Hopefully I will never lose anything now.

By: Justin

Justin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:35:53 +0000

Working the video production and duplication industry, I often have sensitive discs that need to be disposed of. The easiest is to take a sharpie and make a line from the center of the disc to the outer edge. A single swipe from the sharpie and they will never play again!

By: Josephine

Josephine — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:12:43 +0000

I am very fortunate to live in a community where we have periodic electronic recycling days. Items I’ve recycled include: computers, monitors, batteries, diskettes, VHS tapes, CDs, TVs, cables…you name it! I suggest checking out local government websites for information.

I, too, have availed myself of Freecycle.

By: Sheryl

Sheryl — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:39:09 +0000

Tim Carlson – you might want to think twice about getting rid of your music CD’s, even though you have them on iTunes. If your hard drive should go south, you’ll lose all that music and have no way, short of buying the CD’s all over again, to replace it. (The voice of experience here.)

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 13:03:44 +0000

I use old cd’s for craft purposes. If you know of any sewers/quilters, they might be very happy to receive them.