How can I reuse or recycle audio cassette tapes?
I’ve recently been clearing out loads of old stuff from my obsessive teen fandom of a certain, ahem, fluffy-haired band. Ebay is currently in the process of loving me because I’m halfway there, selling my previously collected tshirts, vinyl and assorted memorabilia. (Some might even say, I’m living on a prayer with all the proceeds.)
Given my obsession started before I got a cd player in my bedroom, I bought all their early albums on cassette tapes and just about stretched them to breaking point with repeat playing. While the vinyl has lasted – and sold – well, I fear the cassette tapes are beyond the point of passing them on to someone else.
So what else can I do with them? Is the tape reusable? And if so, any ideas?
Best Suggestions
- Pass Them On: Some people still use them – for both listening to and recording – so it’s probably worth checking to see whether your local charity/thrift shop still accepts them or offering them on Freecycle. Some charities also collect them for reuse for recording spoken newsletters and the like – see the comments below.
- Reuse: Tapes are very retro-stylish at the moment and people are using the plastic bits to make belt buckles, bags and other decorations. The tape can be knitted or crocheted too.
- Recycle: The tapes are electronic waste so they should be collected by your local authority in their e-waste bins.
- See the comments below for more suggestions and ideas
(Photo by tijmen)
Does anyone need / want / recycle my old cassettes? Haven’t got many at the moment but am having a bit of a clear out. Please someone take them from me so I don’t have to throw them away!!
Thanks,
Penni
Hi,
I am Morgane, French student at London College of Communication. For a school project I need hundreds of audio cassette tapes. I know it’s been a while you have posted this comment but maybe you still have your cassettes?
If you do and you live in London or not to far away I can come over to collect them.
Thank you very much,
Morgane
Hi Morgane,
You just posted your message today about audio tapes and I have quite a few I need to get rid of probably 15 or 20, not pre-recorded but I have myself put things on them that you can easily record over. Hope this helps. I live in Dorking in Surrey (about 45 mins from Waterloo).
Kind regards,
Charlotte
Hi Morgane,
I’ve got quite a few audio cassette tapes (recorded by me and pre-recorded) that you could have. I am in Cambridge, about 1 hour drive from North London. If you are interested give me your contact and I will get in touch.
Best, Beatrice
Some wallets, belt buckles etc made from cassette tapes here
http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/cassettes.html
You can recycle 5 or 10 of your favorite cassettes with the Cassette Mp3 Recycle Package!
Choose 5 or 10 of your favorite classic cassette tapes from your old tape collection and enjoy the great music that you have not played in years! Just send them to us for conversion and you will receive The Cassette Mp3 Player (2 GB SD card included) with all tracks converted into mp3 files ready to be played on your old cassette player. In addition, all cassettes will be recycled by using Green Disk.
After your purchase, we will contact you shortly with details on where to send your cassettes for conversion and recycling.
Visit http://www.cassettemp3player.com for more information.
Hi folks I am very pleased to say that due to your recycle efforts I have been able to help out a Birmingham arts project with audio tapes for a family arts day….a nice thought that they will again be used instead of being dumped as so many already have!
Hello Nigel, I gave you some slides a while ago; I am now clearing out lots of audio cassettes! Can you use any more of these ?
janemeesters@hotmail.com
http://www.greendisk.com
They recycle all sorts of electronic waste. If you pack them up yourself and have less than 20 lbs., it costs $6.95. I think it’s worth it to help the earth.