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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: mining_melancholy on October 31, 2014, 01:17:42 PM

Title: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: mining_melancholy on October 31, 2014, 01:17:42 PM
Hello.

My organization has a large amount of VHS tapes (between 200 and 400) that must be disposed of. Many are still in their original, paper sleeves. Some are in plastic containers.

I will not throw them away because of the extreme waste and potential hazard. However, the nearest recycling center that will accept them is two hours away.

Are there any suggestions from people who have disposed of large amounts of VHS tapes before?
Title: Re: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: Gone Fishing on October 31, 2014, 01:27:07 PM
Wait until you or somebody you know is headed to the place two hours away for some other reason and tote them along.  Two birds with one stone.  Personal rule of mine, I try to add a secondary benefit to everything I do.
Title: Re: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: Iron Mike Sharpe on October 31, 2014, 02:09:18 PM
Bonfire!
Title: Re: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: gimp on October 31, 2014, 03:51:48 PM
Ebay?

Or just pay a company to come take them away. There are environmentally friendly companies who do electronics recycling. They ship the electronics to China, dig a hole, and put them in the hole. As opposed to at your local landfill.
Title: Re: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: sobezen on October 31, 2014, 04:42:46 PM
See if any are collectibles on ebay.  In the past I've sold some that were collectors items.  But for the rest I'd try to donate them to a charity organization.  YMMV.  Good luck!
Title: Re: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: VirginiaBob on October 31, 2014, 04:47:57 PM
Save for 500 years when they will be worth billions.
Title: Re: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: MoneyCat on November 01, 2014, 11:14:16 AM
If any are educational, you could donate them to a needy school.  There are plenty of low-income schools who still use VHS.


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Title: Re: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: arebelspy on November 01, 2014, 03:24:45 PM
Drop them off at Goodwill.
Title: Re: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: NoraLenderbee on November 01, 2014, 03:48:53 PM
Ebay?

Or just pay a company to come take them away. There are environmentally friendly companies who do electronics recycling. They ship the electronics to China, dig a hole, and put them in the hole. As opposed to at your local landfill.


Eh, take out the middleman and get some exercise: Dig the hole to China yourself. It's more badass!
Title: Re: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: waltworks on November 01, 2014, 04:06:08 PM
What hazard do VHS tapes pose if trashed? I'm not trying to be a dick, just curious.

-W
Title: Re: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: mining_melancholy on November 01, 2014, 07:32:04 PM
What hazard do VHS tapes pose if trashed? I'm not trying to be a dick, just curious.

-W

It's something to do with the chemicals used on the tapes. They are not officially labeled "Hazardous Household Waste," but the chemicals used to coat the tapes isn't the best thing to go tossing out if better options exist.

To fill everyone in, I plan to call the our mother organization and let them know about it. Technically, all this belongs to them, so they should have a policy for its removal. If I am asked my opinion, I will propose that the board watch the original Wickerman and draw influence from it.
Title: Re: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: marty998 on November 01, 2014, 07:54:02 PM
Off topic but this is another one to file in the bucket of "sounds I will never hear again"

- The noise a VCR makes when it rewinds a tape.

If any are educational, you could donate them to a needy school.  There are plenty of low-income schools who still use VHS.


I find that very sad. DVD and Blu Ray players are so cheap nowadays.
Title: Re: What to do with VHSes?
Post by: Bob W on November 02, 2014, 07:30:56 AM
We collect vhs tapes.  Are these movies or blank?  Around here they sell for 50 cents retail or 50 bucks for 200.   It is cheap entertainment.  Walmart still sells the players.