What happens if you put CDs, DVDs and cases in the wrong bin?

Never put discs in the kerbside recycling bin; there is no sorting route for them.

Where do CDs, DVDs and cases go?

Not kerbside recyclable. Donate playable discs; the polycarbonate needs a specialist and the cases are usually accepted separately.

Donate or reuse

A disc is polycarbonate with a sputtered aluminium layer and a lacquer, and while polycarbonate is a valuable plastic, kerbside sorting has no route for it and the metal layer complicates matters. Specialist reprocessors exist and some household waste centres collect discs. Jewel cases are polystyrene and DVD cases are polypropylene, and some councils accept those with rigid plastics. Playable discs are still wanted by charity shops and second-hand dealers, which beats every recycling option available.

How to prepare it

Donate anything playable.
Separate the case from the disc; they are different plastics.
Snap or scratch discs holding personal data before disposal.

What not to do

Never put discs in the kerbside recycling bin; there is no sorting route for them.

Compiled from specialist reprocessor and local authority acceptance lists.

Kerbside collection rules genuinely vary by council and county, and local rules always win over general guidance. The reasoning above is what transfers — if your service differs, it will usually be for a reason described here.

Other things that go to donate or reuse

Clothes and textiles Wearable: charity shop or clothing bank. Worn out: still the textile bank — damaged clothes are sorted for fibre and rag, not landfill.
Furniture (sofas, wardrobes, tables) Reuse first — charities collect free. Otherwise a bulky collection or the household waste centre.
Shoes and trainers Pair them, tie them together, and put them in a shoe or textile bank. Never in the bin.
Duvets and pillows Not the textile bank. Animal shelters take clean ones; otherwise household waste centre or general waste.
Books Charity shop, book bank or a street library. Paperbacks are recyclable as paper; hardbacks need the boards removing.
Spectacles Opticians and charity collection boxes. Frames are reused, not shredded.
Wine corks Natural cork composts and there are collection schemes for it. Plastic "corks" go in general waste.

Common questions

Where do CDs, DVDs and cases go?: Not kerbside recyclable. Donate playable discs; the polycarbonate needs a specialist and the cases are usually accepted separately.
What happens if you put CDs, DVDs and cases in the wrong bin?: Never put discs in the kerbside recycling bin; there is no sorting route for them.

Where do Clothes and textiles go? Wearable: charity shop or clothing bank. Worn out: still the textile bank — damaged clothes are sorted for fibre and rag, not landfill.
Where do Furniture (sofas, wardrobes, tables) go? Reuse first — charities collect free. Otherwise a bulky collection or the household waste centre.
Where do Shoes and trainers go? Pair them, tie them together, and put them in a shoe or textile bank. Never in the bin.
Where do Duvets and pillows go? Not the textile bank. Animal shelters take clean ones; otherwise household waste centre or general waste.
Where do Books go? Charity shop, book bank or a street library. Paperbacks are recyclable as paper; hardbacks need the boards removing.
Where do Spectacles go? Opticians and charity collection boxes. Frames are reused, not shredded.
Where do Household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
Where do Lithium-ion batteries go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
Where do Vapes and disposable e-cigarettes go? Shop or manufacturer take-back
Where do Medicines and tablets go? Pharmacy
Where do Pizza boxes go? Kerbside recycling bin
Where do Leftover wet paint go? Household waste recycling centre

Sources

Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place

How these figures are compiled and checked