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)
Anyone interested in audio tapes and CDs for recycling? I live near Chester/Wrexham/Whitchurch Shropshire
Dave
daveclarke46@hotmail.com
Dear Recyclers
Due to ill health and increased disability, it is with regret, I have to inform you the Media Recycling Project is unable to continue. It is not a decision I have taken lightly!
I have tried to find someone to take on the running of the project without success! I am also trying to find a company who will take the media items for free!
I would like to thank you all personally for your interest in the project.
Regards
John Pring
I have over 150 old audio cassettes with plastic cases. Anyone interested in them email me at hubbardgordon61@yahoo.com. I am on the west coast and am willing to ship if not too far. Thanks
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
Morgane,
I have about 30 cassette tapes that I am happy to post to you if you can submit an address to post to (yours or the colleges).
Regards
Naomi
Hi Morgane,
I’ve got quite a few as well. I live in Amsterdam but come to London frequently. Do you have an address I can post these to? Can I send them to you c/o the College?
Thanks
Paula
Hi Morgane
I can see that you have already had a number of replies to your request for audio tapes. I have about 200 that can be recorded over. My daughter lives near London and so will take them home with her in the next few days if you are interested. Can you therefore let me know as soon as you can.
Marian Harries
Do you still need any more cassette tapes by now? If so, I live in North London and have around about 80 if that’s of any interest. Let me know.
Best wishes
Eileen
Hi, Morgane.
I have a few tapes that I can send to you? I am in Portugal, but my sister lives in London and comes here often, I can ask her to take it with her the next time she visits Portugal. When do you need the tapes?
Fernando
f-gomes@netcabo.pt
Hi Morgane,
We have a few dozen tapes and live in London. Please let us know if you still need some.
Kind regards,
Brad
Hi
I know this is a really long shot, but does anyone still have a use for the cassette tapes. I work in London so easy to deliver.
My email is: sarahcoopernz@yahoo.com
Many thanks,
Sarah
I have loads of pre- recorded cassette tapes, mainly French ones which you are welcome to have. I live in Cheltenham.
Hi, I have a whole box full of old used cassette tapes, if you would like them I am based in chiswick west london, you are welcome to collect them
cheers
Denise
Morgane – do you still need them and if so, do you need them intact, ie with their plastic outer case and card insert? I’ve just separated all of mine in preparation for recycling. I’m not in London – I’m in South Wales, but if I could get them to you reasonably cheaply I’d rather do that then see them go to landfill. Let me know if you still need them. anita@writing-services.co.uk
Hello!
Did you find the cassette tapes you needed? I would be happy to ship them to you. Email me at fireshaman@earthlink.net.
Tamara
Are you still accepting vhs cassettes for recycling?
Texas, United States
Let me know if you still want cassette tapes, can leave them with you next weekend if you are still in london.
Do you still need tapes? I have like 100 of them? Sorry I know it’s an old post!
I have a Iceland carry bag full of old cassette tape that I don’t want. I leave in New cross in London South East. If you are till interested in them let me know.
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
Hi Jane we have quite a few for our needs now thanks to this great site and the people like you who read the comments left so for the time being I would say try other folk for a while.but thanks any way and thanks again for the slides which we are sorting and using already.
Hi Jane just got your message regarding audio tapes, no at the mo we have enough for our needs thanks to this site and those who visit it but I am sure there would be others who would ………..Nig
hello! just wondering if you still had the cassettes?! just i really need some!!
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.
Morgane – I have about 30 audio tapes (for recording over) which I am happy to post to you if you send an address (I live in Suffolk)Anything other than put them in recycling bin.
H
Hi Morgane
I have a couple of hundred cassettes (mostly ones I recorded in my teens back in the 80’s/90’s) that are doing nothing but gathering dust. If you want them, please submit an address/phone number.
Regards
Imtiaz
Hi Morgane
I have about 50 adio cassette tapes gathering dust. You are welcome to them. Can you supply an address or drop off place? I live in Bedford but my son lives in North London and works in central london so should be able to arrnage drop off to you or pick up by you.
Look forward to hearing from you to svae them going to the skip
Thank you
Frances Andrews
Hi Morgane,
I have about 50 cassettes. Can I drop them off at the College for you?
Cheers,
Elly
I was googling to find out what to do with my cassetes, videos and stacks of free internet cds ive had stored for ages when i found this thread. I also found that my local household recycling site accepts cds, cassete tapes and video tapes so id say check your local website too as they may be able to recycle them.
Heres the link showing all the different things my local site accepts (and i think its the same for all leicesterhsire sites), it does seem to be much better than many others i know
http://www.leics.gov.uk/index/environment/waste/recycling_household_waste_sites/wastesite_loughborough.htm
Hope this helps some people,
Rose
I wish I lived in London, so Morgaine could have my recorded (but can be recorded over) audio cassettes…
SO…. does anyone in the NorthWestern U.S. need audio cassettes to record on… for a school project, for meetings, for anything??!
Hate to throw them away. Have at least 100, probably 200, haven’t counted yet
Julie in Montana USA
LET’s TRY THIS AGAIN, forgot to submit my name and email! Julie is at jrs9@bridgeband.com
here’s the message again:
June 7, 2010 at 1:32 am
I wish I lived in London, so Morgane could have my recorded (but can be recorded over) audio cassettes…
SO…. does anyone in the NorthWestern United States need audio cassettes to record on… for a school project, for meetings, for anything??!
Hate to throw them away. Have at least 100, probably 200, haven’t counted them yet
Julie in Montana USA
I have around 150 cassette tapes, classical, opera and some pop if anyone can use them. Central London – contact henryricard@gmail.com
Hello Fiona,
I’ve got a hundred or so tapes that I can send to you. If you send me your details I’ll post them to you. My e-mail is Misspxx@hotmail.com
Thanks
Paula
Hi,
Does anyone want prerecorded audio or VHS tapes? We have so many of both and I really hate to just put them in a landfill. I live in Surrey. Please get in touch. lauri63050@ntlworld.com
Hi there,
I have a couple of hundred audio cassettes that I’ll take to the council tip unless someone wants them? I live in Birmingham. Send me an email in the next week or so if you’d like them
bkandj@blueyonder.co.uk
Hi Morgan: I have hundreds of exquisitely recorded classical music cassett tapes. My brother is an audiophile and a musician so he had recorded the tapes on superior recording machines. Yours if you want them. I live in W9, Maida Vale area. Leaving for the US 26th August. Hope you can use, otherwise will have to dump them.
Hope to hear from you or anybody else who can pick them up from Maida Vale. contact me at jbvanwagner@aol.com
Like so many others who have posted on this site I have many VHS and audio tapes (a mix of pre-recorded and otherwise) that I want to get rid of but would rather not put in the landfill.
If anyone would like them please contact me: charlotte.walter@gmail.com
I live in SW London.
Thanks
Charlotte
I reused the boxes for jewellery boxes and the tape inside for ribbon. I make jewellery out of recycled items.
I frequent London/guildford/oxford/reading.
Thanks
I have a smallish collection of audio tapes – mainly used by my children in their teenage years.
I live in Buckingham but do visit Oxford at least once a month.
valerie
Hello Renata,
We have quite many tapes, do you still need them?
Thanks
Now I know who the brainy one is, Ill keep lonoikg for your posts.
Hi, I have several great bags full of pre-recorded and mixed tapes, are you still looking? If so can you post your email address and I can DM you.
Hello Renata,
I have about 50 old audio cassette tapes for recyling if you’d like them…
I’d be happy to post them.
Thanks, Tim (aizoaceae@hotmail.com)
Renata,
I am in London and have about 30 old cassettes complete with cases for recycling if you would like them, let me know.
Thanks,
Marianne (meplatt@virginmedia.com)
I have about 20 cassette tapes with cases, and the same of video cassettes with boxes. If you need them, contact me. I work in Central London and can meet up for a handover.
Elizabeth (Elizabethat4@virginmedia.com)
Dear all:
I too wish that there was somebody in the Washington DC area that would recycle music cassettes. I also have hundreds of them and have to throw them if nobody wants them.
Look on dc.gov department of public works
I use them to make lovely jewellery
Audio and video tapes that have been used for recording free to loving home for any possible uses!!! Currently they are in Worcestershire. Some commercial videos too but they may be off to the charity shop.
How about using the tape inside as string between 2 sticks to mark out garden plots?
I am also having a clear out in my house and have lots of audio tapes and covers. If anyone needs them email me (sadhia_m@hotmail.co.uk) and I will happily post these to you..
hi there–i live in New York City area and have lots of cassettes i need to clear out. Please let me know if anyone needs any. I dont like to throw stuff out especially if anyone can use them. Contact me directly at: Zapotec02@aol.com. Thank you, Gino
Hello. I have a bag of 22 C90 cassette tapes, a few are blank but most have music compilations of mostly Indie/alternative stuff from pre-90’s recorded on them, but can be taped over. Mostly TDK. If anyone want them, let me know. Manchester, UK. zigguratNOSPAM@fsmail.net Need to take the NOSPAM letters out of above email addy to use it.
Hello all. Just got off the phone with my city recycling “coordinator”….not an official title, but she had quite a few resources for me for recycling a lot of the household items I need to purge. She gave me a short list of places to recycle unusual items, places that can actually reuse the items and other recycling resources. She is my new best friend. I just typed in my city, state, and recycling into google was able to find someone through the city to help me. Hope this helps!
I have a few old cassette tapes & covers – some which are originals and others which I have pre-recorded on. Would anyone be interested in these? I am happy to post them on.
Hi Morgane
Do you still require old cassette tapes for college? I am happy to post them on to you if you send me a forwarding address.
Cecelia
Anyone interested in donating cassette tapes for recycling into eco-friendly home products, please contact me at divine.lioness@hotmail.com
I’d be happy to reimburse shipping fees via Paypal (depending upon where the item is being shipped from). Thanks!
Hi, Becca, I have about 50-100 cassette tapes which I would love to donate for recycling. Do you live in England? I’m in Reading but could travel with the tapes if not too far away. Postage might be too much!
I also have some video tapes if you can use these as well!
Please get in touch: mandvpatterson@talktalk.net
Please note:
I am located in the US. I realize now that this site is a UK based site oops! I cannot pay for shipping from the UK. Sorry!
I have about 50 old cassette tapes – ones I’ve recorded on myself not pre-recorded. I think most of the posts wanting them were old but if anyone wants them please let me know. Am in London but can also drop off in Southampton.
I’m looking for children’s audio cassette stories, such as ‘The Wild Toboggan Ride’ by Suzan Reid. or any old Scholastic children’s audio stories. Does anyone have any suggestions (I looked at e-bay)
Thanks
Hi Celeste
I have 20 or so children’s cassettes looking for a good home – some are songs (slightly younger) but most are stories. Of any interest? Live in Cambridge and work in London.
Kirsty
Hi
Thanks for your reply. Right now I’m only looking for story tapes. I am a pre-school teacher and I WOULD love to know the title of cassettes that you have. Since I live in Canada I would love to have the cassettes in American accents. Do you have any titles that have don’t have the british accent. (sorry I am married to a british man)
Stella
Hi folks I am in need of any unwanted mc 60 type micro cassettes for our dictation machines as we are having a problem getting hold of them now ………please call me on [number deleted] many thanks.
EDITED by louisa: Nigel has asked me to remove his details – they no longer need videos/tapes. Thanks for all the offers over the years!
Hello Everyone,
I am always back and forth to the local charity shop which is in Coleshill as I live in Coleshill and they take everything except cassettes as they wont sell because hardly anybody wants them. I have a few cassettes because I am still able to play them plus some others which I do not want, any ideas what I could do with the ones that I do not want. My email address is as follows:: cjc77@btinternet.com
Hi I ve around 500 audio cassettes pre recorded..I want to get rid of them..pls if anyone can recycle dem. or need dem pls mail me at probal22@gmail.com..thanks..m in india..:-) can post dem too..
Hi this might be a long shot but I need lots of casette tapes for an art project. If anyone still has any they want to get rid of please email me for my address and I’ll gladly take them off your hands.
Don’t throw them away!!
Many thanks
Emma
email is emma.ferris@live.co.uk
Hi Emma. Are you still in need of cassettes? I have loads which I would prefer to recycle than bin!! I am in West Yorkshire – don’t know of this is s a problem. Get in touch if you can use them please.
Kath
Hi, have just seen your message regarding cassette tapes. I have a lot at least 50 which you can have with pleasure if you still need them that is. I live in Norfolk which may be a stumbling block getting them to you.
Please let me know.
Many thanks
I have loads of cassette tapes (and boxes to keep them in) which I will be disposing of in the next 2-3 weeks as I am moving house. Includes New Kids on the Block Status Quo Cliff Richard etc etc There is also some without cases and some religious ones. You are welcome to the lot no problems…………………….Let me know soon as please…………………..
Hi Emma,
I have 100+ cassettes + boxes which I would love to recycle. Please contact me (jancampbell01@googlemail.com) and let me know if you are still interested.
Thanks
Jan
Hi, Emma,
I’m in the process of discarding many videotapes.
I HATE to just throw them away.
Would these work for you?
How might I get them to you?
If you are still in need of tapes, please contact me at
laurie.hayes@lakeheadu.ca
Laurie
Hi – I have lots of old audio cassette tapes of 8o’s / 90’s music and
Cuban music. I also have a complete archive of slides illustrating the
history of Architecture and history of London. Any use to anybody?
Kateadw
I have lots about 100 or more cassettes, pre recorded, and new blank that I want to get rid of, also quite a few pre recorded vides as well. I live in Surrey near Woking. Email me if you’re interested and you can come and collect them
Hi, do you still have the audio cassettes? I could collect them all if you have them.
Regards
07761767247
Hi Sebastian,
I have some but not all left. I will check tomorrow & let you know how many. Do you want the videos as well or just the cassettes?
Regards
Linda
Hi – I have about 3 shoeboxes full of cassette tapes with music from 60’s through 90’s. Would you like them?
Brenda
Hi Linda,
I would like just the cassettes.
Thank you!
Regards!
Sebastian
Really sorry Sebastian but on checking these are gone, unfortunately my husband discarded the remaining ones.
Regards
Linda
Don’t worry, things happened…
Thank you very much for your time:)
If anyone have some audio cassette I will be more then happy to collect them.
Happy New Year!
Sorry, meant to reply. I can send you some music cassette tapes Sebastian if you’d still like some?
do youstill need audio cassettes as i have 150-200
Hi Sebastian,
I have a few cassette tapes that I’ll like to get rid of. Do you accept singles? If so, please can I ask you to email me: marinabarlow@hotmail.com
Thanks
I’m having a clearout of tapes Sebastian – would you likke some still?
Claire
Hi Sebastian,
I have a small bag of single audion cassettes if you would like them ?? Please email and let me know. Or if anyone would like them
Claire :-)
*audio !!!