Video & Audio Tapes

Video and audio tapes are non-biodegradable and can persist in landfill indefinitely adding to the growing e-waste problem. Instead they can be repaired or recycled through specialised services. Note: recyclers will likely only accept commercial quantities and not small amounts from households.

Video and Audio Tapes includes:

Cassette Tapes VHS Tapes
material
Video and Audio Tapes

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Why Recycle?

All types of audio and video cassette tapes can be recycled. This allows the recovery of valuable resources such as polycarbonate (a type of plastic) for reuse in the manufacture of new plastics products. It also diverts e-waste from landfill where it will persist indefinitely.

Recycling Options

A number of companies in Australia offer recycling services for video and audio tapes with their cases and there are also some repair services for videos. However, most will likely only accept commercial quantities and will not accept small amounts from households. 

What Happens When It's Recycled?

Repair: There is potential for videos to be restored or for the content to be saved and transferred to CD or DVD for storage.

Recycling: The recycling process involves separating the various plastic components of these media, which is then granulated and recycled. The plastic cases are recycled with other plastics and the paper are given to paper recyclers for processing. The recovered plastics are used for manufacturing a wide variety of products.