What To Do With Old VHS Tapes: Do I Throw Them Away or Recycle?

ByEric Updated:

VHS tapes, short for video home system, can have up to 1,410 feet of tape inside, according to TechSpot. It’s part of the reason why they’re difficult to dispose of. If you grew up in the ’80s or ’90s, you probably have piles of VHS tapes stored in your attic, basement, or garage. Some of them are probably home movie recordings of your kids or family events like a wedding. You probably don’t want to lose those memories, so here’s what to do with those VHS tapes first.

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How to digitize old home movies

An AARP article noted five ways you can digitize your home movies and no longer need those old VHS tapes. Here are a few ideas to ry:

  • Connect it to a computer
  • Use a DVD recorder
  • Record from the screen
  • Use a video service
  • Record onto memory cards

Don’t get rid of VHS tapes by throwing them away

Techtimes notes that VHS tapes stopped being produced in 2008. Forbes also notes that the world’s last VCR was made on July 22, 2016, in Tokyo.

It is possible to dispose of VHS tapes, but one thing you definitely shouldn’t do is throw them away. If they end up in landfills, the toxic metals can get into the ground and contaminate it.

But having said that, you can’t just toss them in your recycling bin. Here are a few tips to properly dispose of your VHS tapes.

Woman with video tapes

What To Do With Old VHS Tapes

1. Residential waste and recycling center

Some residential waste and recycling centers do accept e-waste, which is what VHS tapes are. Contact your local recycling center and see if they can accept them or if they know of an organization that will accept them.

2. Greendisk

Greendisk is an organization that accepts all types of old electronics for recycling. Among the ones they accept include:

  • VHS tapes
  • Cassette tapes
  • Floppy Disks
  • CDs
  • DVDs

There are many other items they also are willing to take. Visit their website to find out more.

Where to give away VHS tapes

If you’re unable to drop off or mail your VHS tapes, there are a variety of places you can give them away. That’s still much better than throwing them away. Here are a few options to consider:

1. Donate to Goodwill

On Goodwill’s acceptable donations list, they do list VHS tapes as an item you can donate to them. Look for a local Goodwill in your area that you can drop off your VHS tapes.

2. Sell online on Ebay or Amazon

There are probably lots of people that still enjoy watching old VHS tapes on their VCR. You can keep your VHS tapes from being wasted and make a little extra cash by selling them on E-bay or Amazon.

3. Give away for free on Craigslist or Freecycle

If nobody wants to spend money on your tapes, the next best thing you can do is give them away for free. You can list your tapes on Craigslist or Freecycle.

4. Library

Some libraries at Universities or within the community will accept VHS tapes. Look up the libraries in your area and see what types they accept.

Ideas for repurposing VHS tapes

Like any other item, you can repurpose VHS tapes to achieve another function and keep them from ending up in our landfills. All it takes is a little effort and creativity. Here are some ideas you might want to consider:

  • VHS foosball table
  • Bookend
  • Scarecrow
  • Storage case
  • Purse

There’s a lot of other interesting ways people have repurposed their VHS tapes. You can learn more ways at the links below:

Is there a market for old VHS tapes?

You may have asked one time, “Are old VHS tapes worth anything?” In some cases, they might be. According to Kiplinger, some VHS tapes are becoming as valuable as old vinyl records.

Original drawer-box copies of the Rocky films were valued at $25,000. At a Heritage Auction, a VHS tape of The Goonies was sold for $50,000. Kiplinger noted that the most sellable VHS tapes are ones that were released between 1977 and 1990 that are still in their original factory shrink wrap.

In particular, Blockbuster films, 1980s horror films, and Disney movies from the early 80’s have the most value.

What to do with old VCR players

Similar to getting rid of VHS tapes, you can get rid of VCR players by sending them to E-waste recycling facilities, or donating them. Doing things this way can help to keep our planet cleaner and habitable for years to come.

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2 Comments

    1. Hi Dee. Thanks for your response. The Goodwill website I linked to noted videotapes and VCRS are accepted. But it may vary from location to location.

      Reply