---
title: "Where do CDs, DVDs and cases go? Donate or reuse"
description: "Not kerbside recyclable. Donate playable discs; the polycarbonate needs a specialist and the cases are usually accepted separately. Why that route, what goes wrong o"
url: https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/cds-dvds/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Where do CDs, DVDs and cases go?

**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

1. Donate anything playable.
2. Separate the case from the disc; they are different plastics.
3. 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](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/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)](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/furniture/) — Reuse first — charities collect free. Otherwise a bulky collection or the household waste centre.
- [Shoes and trainers](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/shoes/) — Pair them, tie them together, and put them in a shoe or textile bank. Never in the bin.
- [Duvets and pillows](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/duvets-pillows/) — Not the textile bank. Animal shelters take clean ones; otherwise household waste centre or general waste.
- [Books](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/books/) — Charity shop, book bank or a street library. Paperbacks are recyclable as paper; hardbacks need the boards removing.
- [Spectacles](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/spectacles/) — Opticians and charity collection boxes. Frames are reused, not shredded.
- [Wine corks](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/cork/) — 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.

## Related pages

- [Where do Clothes and textiles go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/textiles/)
- [Where do Furniture (sofas, wardrobes, tables) go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/furniture/)
- [Where do Shoes and trainers go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/shoes/)
- [Where do Duvets and pillows go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/duvets-pillows/)
- [Where do Books go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/books/)
- [Where do Spectacles go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/spectacles/)
- [Where do Household batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 9V) go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/batteries/)
- [Where do Lithium-ion batteries go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/lithium-batteries/)
- [Where do Vapes and disposable e-cigarettes go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/vapes/)
- [Where do Medicines and tablets go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/medicines/)
- [Where do Pizza boxes go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/pizza-boxes/)
- [Where do Leftover wet paint go?](https://atoneplace.net/where-does-it-go/paint-wet/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)