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GreenDisk, the Answer to Recycling CDs and DVDs

By: 16 Comments

april 2007 002 

 Some of the contents of my GreenDisk Technotrash Can

Do you remember when you use to get those AOL free disks?  They would come in your mail, in magazines, and even with your toilet paper.  (Just kidding)  Just think of how many CDs and DVDs that are produced every year and how many damaged, obsolete, or unwanted disks end up in landfills.  What about their plastic packaging?  According to the EPA, some plastic can take up to 450 years to decompose.  So, where do you think all of those unwanted disks go, after you throw them in the trash?  Landfills. 

 I will never forget the story, “High Tech Trash,” written in the October/November 2003 issue of Mother Earth News’ magazine as to the amount of our electronic trash being exported to third world countries.  The picture of a Chinese child sitting on top of an electronic heap will forever be burned into my memory. It made me sick to see this innocent child who had to live with our waste.  It changed my life and the way I think.  I resolved never to throw out any electronic waste, but what was I going to do with all those unwanted or damage disks?

One fateful day in 2004, I found GreenDisk, who recycles CDs, DVDs, and floppy disks among other electronic waste. I bought my first technotrash can at the end of 2004 to collect e-media waste at my children’s elementary and middle schools.  To date, I have collected 6 boxes full of waste, and  I am still collecting.   Listed below is a complete list of what the Company recycles:    

  • All forms of electronic media and their cases: diskettes, zip disks, CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, DVDs et al, video tape (i.e. VHS), audio tape, game cartridges, DAT, DLT, Beta or Digibeta, and virtually all other type of computer tapes.
  • Hard drives Zip and Jazz drives, jump drives, etc.
  • All forms of printer cartridges including both inkjet and toner.
  • All types of cell phones, pagers, PDAs and their chargers, cables, and headset accessories
  • All types of rechargeable batteries (not regular alkaline ones) and their chargers
  • All of the small computer accessories such as MP3 players, iPods, digital cameras, hand-held scanners, handheld games and other connected devices.  (Technotrash Can Only)
  • All of the cords, cables, boards, chips, etc. attached to or removed from a computer.
  • Laptop computers.  (Technotrash Can Only)

The Company offers several options for you or your company to recycle your e-waste:

 Less Than 20 lbs of waste: If you have less than 20 lbs of e-waste, then you would use your own box and pay for the mailing costs. Processing Cost: $6.95.   Each additional pound is $.30. See additional requirements. If you only have a few CDs, contact the Company to see what your options are.

technotrash can
 Technotrash cans:  There are two options:  a trashcan that hold up to 35 lbs of waste or a larger can that holds up to 75 lbs of waste. The cost of the collection box, postage, and processing is included in the fee.  A 35 lb box costs $29.95 and a 70 Lb box cost $49.95 for one can or $149.85 for 3 cans. See other options with the trashcans.

 Once your can is full or weighs the designated amount, whichever comes first, you enter your token number on the Pick-up Page.  An email will be sent to you with a prepaid postage label. All pick-ups are through Federal express. 

 Computer recycling:  There are different prices for recycling your computer and its peripherals.  The Company encourages you to take your computer to local recycling centers; however, if this is not possible, Green Disk offers this option.  (Staples offers to recycle your computer for a $10.00 charge)

 Why recycle with Technotrash?  As mentioned above, all this electronic waste ends up in landfills, which can leach dangerous chemicals into our waterways and soil. 

“The other major reason to recycle your technotrash with GreenDisk is for the protection of your privacy. Obsolete computers and old media contain massive amounts of your private and proprietary information. For each of the last five years identity theft has been the fastest growing crime in America.  In addition, with the new HIPPA and Sarbanes-Oxley regulations regarding the proper protection and destruction of private information, there comes a need to demonstrate compliance with these regulations.  Throwing technotrash into a landfill is just an invitation for trouble,” according to the Company.

 Once the contents are processed, you will receive an audit report and certificate of destruction via email.  The Company’s services are available only in the Continental United States and are available on a limited basis in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and outside of North America. Contact the Company about their services in these areas.

 

 In addition, to the recycling aspect of the business, GreenDisk reuses some of the materials to make CD-RW, plastic jewel cases, and plastic soft CD cases. The Company’s focus is reusing rather than simply recycling. Other options:

  • CD Recycling Center, which recycles Blu Ray, HD DVD, DVDs and CDs. (Story to follow)
  • The Laundry:  Collection of CDs, DVDs, CDRs, VHS and cassette tapes together with the plastic cases and inlay cards,  but no floppy disk for our UK readers 
  •  Freerecycling.com:  Collection and Destruction of data on CDs and DVDs through a unique 35 gallon collection system ideal for businesses.
  •  Creative Ideas for Reusing CDs from DIY Maven at Curby.
  •  Swap DVDs and CDs at Swaptree.com, SwapaCd, Swapadvd, and Titletrader. 
  •  Donate CDs, DVDs, and Video tapes to libraries, nursery homes, and day care centers.
  •  Fix Your Scratched DVDs and CDs:  See eHow.com’s video
  •   For classroom use:  The EPA’s PDF of the lifecycle of CDs and DVDs

 Readers, what are your favorite ways to reuse or recycle electronic media?

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Comments

  1. 1

    Nice post, and great info. The amount of electronic waste we produce these days is alarming.

    I’m mostly concerned that the average Joe is never going to recycle stuff as long as he has to pay to do it.

    Recycling needs to be made much easier.

    I was first introduced to the complete PITA that recycling is ten years ago when I first moved to Switzerland. Here, taxes for rubbish collection are placed directly on bin-bags (garbage sacks) meaning that a 35 liter bag costs about 50 cents. When it costs you that much to throw stuff out you start thinking very carefully about it and try to recycle everything.

    The result was that two years later my basement was overflowing with stuff that I had intended to recycle and which just accumulated. I have about 18 months of cardboard downstairs right now. Unless you are much more organised than I am then it’s hard work….

    Mark @ TalkClimateChange’s last blog post..Do Green Activists Do More Harm Than Good?

    Reply
  2. 2

    I agree with you about the average joe concept. I wish places like Staples or other office type stores would take back all electronic media. Most people are not going to spend the money to ship back their CDs. However, they may get their companies to invest in this program since it is good for the environment which is good for business these days. My belief is if I can get more people to consider spending a few cents to sent back their CDs then I would have done my job to keep some CDs out of landfills. Every little bit helps! Thanks for posting, Mark.

    By the way, readers, in addition to Mark’s blog on TalkClimateChange, he wrote an article about tips for creative blogging that was featured on Problogger, a heavily read blog about of course, blogging. Here is the link: http://www.problogger.net/arch.....-blogging/ A must read. Anna

    Reply
  3. 3

    Great post. Now that you mention it, I do remember hearing about GreenDisks. I’m glad you brought them back to my attention. I’m going to see what I can do at the office to start collecting old media for recycling.

    We recently got rid of a computer. I looked around for someone who’d take it for free and recycle it. I finally found out that CatridgeWorld – the place that sells remanufactured ink cheap – takes computers back for recycling. They don’t charge you a cent. Now – they did tell me that if I had a lot, they wouldn’t – but its worth checking out.

    -Jason
    http://www.screamtobegreen.com

    Jason’s last blog post..Do You Have Green Guilt?

    Reply
  4. 4

    Jason- that is a great idea about CartridgeWorld (see http://www.cartridgeworldusa.com/default.aspx) I could not find anything on their site about computers but readers, try Jason’s suggestions. Jason, do all their locations take back computers?

    Check out Jason’s blog, Screamtobegreen. I have seen some of Jason’s comments around the web and he has lots of clever tips and ideas. Don’t you just love the name of his post? Green Guilt?

    Jason, thanks for stopping by and I hope you come back to give some more of your treasure trove of green hints! Anna

    Does anyone know of any places that take back the computers for free for recycling other than the stores or manufacturers when you are buying a new computer?

    Reply
  5. 5

    Namaste’ This is a great article and thanks for the resources in the post and the commenters. I am an artist so nothing is really ever junk to me, haha but I am consistently looking at ways to improve my already alternative green as can be lifestyle out at my eco center.. I am glad I found your site and am adding you as a friend, and placing your link on my site. Come and visit anytime. Metta.

    skylar
    http://awolfadventure.blogspot.com

    Reply
  6. 6

    Anna –

    Thanks so much for the props! I appreciate it! As for your questions: I’m not sure if all Cartridge Worlds do or not. I found something online and called my local one and they did.

    Here in Chicagoland, the United Cerebral Palsy takes computers. At my previous job, we donated about 20 PCs to them and they even picked them up. They teach people the skill of repairing them, then use what they can to build out labs. The rest they recycle.

    Also here in Chicago, there is a great facility on Goose Island that takes back all sorts of e-waste. Similar to above, they teach ex-cons the skill of computer repair and then the machines get used for training. That is a facility that is open all year round. I’m sure each part of the country has similar things. Motorola has a yearly round up where you drive up and they fill up tractor-trailers with e-waste.

    A quick Google search for Staples brought up this page: http://www.staples.com/sbd/con.....cling.html

    $10 fee for larger items – but that’s not bad. I think they take back all household batteries for nothing, too.

    Anyway – thanks again and I just added you to my iGoogle.

    Be well!

    -Jason

    PS – You know I may have to post on this topic now, right 🙂

    Jason’s last blog post..Do You Have Green Guilt?

    Reply
  7. 7

    Thanks Jason for all the windy city tips. Readers, if your town/state is having a round up of some sort for e-waste, just contact me and I will do a short post. Jason, visit again! Anna

    Reply
  8. 8

    Skylar, I visited your site and the wolf pictures and stories are amazing. Readers, if you love animals and nature, Skylar’s site is a must.

    Skylar, can you give our readers some artistic suggestions on what to do with their CDs and DVDs? Also, can you tell us about your wolf adventures and how that influences your art? Anna

    Reply
  9. 9

    I love the idea of this. The boxes are savvy and simple, just what everyone needs.
    I must comment on the earlier comment though; If you want to help the earth or want to be so eco-savvy then you shouldn’t mind paying the 6.95 for disposing 20 lbs of waste. instead of buying that Starbucks or eating out, spend that money on buying one of these boxes.
    Just a thought.

    Reply
  10. 10

    Abra-thanks for the comment. I have to agree with you since I have been paying myself for the technotrash cans for 2 school for at least 2 years. I hope I was not clear about the cost to ship your own 20 lbs of electronic waste. If it $6.95 for the processing, you use your own box, and the cost of the shipping. Anna

    Reply

Trackbacks

  4. […] 13.  Partner with Green Disk, which recycles electronic media such as DVDs and CDs and their plastic cases among other items. Green Disk gives you a certification that all electronic media has been completely erased for confidential documents. I have been working with them for three years. For more information, see my article, “ Green Disk, the Answer to Recycling CDs and DVDs.” […]

    Reply

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