If you owned a camcorder or VCR player in the past, chances are you have old video tapes taking up space around your home. Maybe they are in boxes in the basement or collecting dust on a bottom shelf. Properly disposing of them or transferring them into digital format can be tricky. Where do you begin? Here are a few options for what to do with your old video tapes.
Recycle
Video tapes are made with components that can contaminate the soil and air when thrown in a landfill. Therefore, recycling is a more environmentally friendly option for disposal. If you’re looking for a convenient way to recycle, try taking your old VHS tapes to a community e-waste recycling event. If you aren’t able to make one of these events, mail your old unwanted tapes to GreenDisk, a company that specializes in e-waste recycling, including VHS tapes.
Donate or Sell Them
If you’re looking to clear the clutter but your tapes still work, consider getting them in the right hands. When it comes to old movies, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Now that many favorite movies are available on DVD, BluRay, and digital formats, old VHS tapes are a collector’s item to some. Try selling them online on eBay or Craigslist. You can also donate your unwanted video tapes to thrift stores, libraries, and charitable organizations. Make sure to call first to confirm that they are of use.
Get Creative
Do you enjoy arts and crafts? There are many ways to creatively reuse the tape material. Some projects to consider are making items like tote bags, bracelets, or scarecrow-like constructions to keep the birds out of your garden. The possibilities are endless if you use your imagination.
Transfer
If you want to preserve your memories while at the same time reducing the amount of clutter, consider transferring your old VHS tapes onto DVDs or digital formats. You just need the right equipment. Connect your camcorder to a computer and use a software program designed to convert film into digital data. Then download and save the content. Or connect your VCR to your computer using an analog-to-digital adapter cable and special software. This requires a little patience and a lot of time, however.
Let Us Take Care of Your Old Video Tapes
At Disc Hounds, we are skilled at the time-consuming task of transferring your favorite movies and family films onto a modern format. If you’re looking to make the move from VHS to DVDs or digital, we can help. Contact us today at 610-696-8668 to find out more.
0 Comments