5 Ways to Recycle Your Old Fitness DVDs

CDs and DVDs continue to become relics of the past, as digital technology expands and becomes ever more accessible. However, we, as consumers, haven’t totally given up buying them yet. The fitness DVD business continues to boom. At DietsInReview.com, we receive a handful of new releases every week to review. And with brands like P90X2, PINK Method, Insanity, and many others using upwards of a dozen DVDs to communicate their hot programs, you can really start to accumulate a heavy library of DVD waste when you’re done with them.

So what to do with all of them? Try some of these ideas first before you dump them in the trash can.

Recycle Them

Seems simple, and obvious, maybe, but with all the dos and do nots of recycling we wanted you to know DVDs can safely be recycled. Ron Sylvester, a reporter with the Wichita Eagle who covers environmental issues, told us that CDs and DVDs are a number seven recyclable plastic. “Of course, the best way to keep from having to recycle CDs and DVDs is to shop on iTunes,” he told us.

Craft Them

Since you’re stuck in the house all winter, and you’ve moved on to the newest and hottest workout DVDs, use the old ones to make crafts with your kids. In About.com’s Family Crafts guide, Sherri Osborn suggests making sun catchers or a variety of animals like dogs, cardinals, or bunnies. The KsKollectibles store on Etsy has applied vintage paper and a sealer to old DVDs to create beautiful coasters that can style any room in your home. If your DVDs (or even your favorite CDs) leave those plastic cases piling up, take a tip from About.com’s Rubber Stamping guide, Kate Pullen, and use them to make framed monthly calendars.

Donate Them

Senior centers are always looking for new ways to get their residents up and moving in fun new ways. Drop your unwanted fitness DVDs by one of these residences and you’ll not only make their day but give them an exciting new activity to look forward to. This goes for women’s shelters, too.

Sell Them

Used book and CD stores will buy your gently used (and in working condition) fitness DVDs. It’s certainly at a fraction of what you may have paid, but it’s better than nothing (and likely more than you’d make in a garage sale). Payouts are usually higher if you can provide original packaging and materials. Let someone one else benefit at a discounted rate.

Swap Them

Do you have a group of friends who swear by fitness DVDs? Then turn your next girl’s night in to a DVD swap. Use it as an excuse to make your healthiest appetizers, pour some heart-healthy wine, and hand over your DVDs in exchange for something new that could really shake up your routine.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Eternal G.

4:51PM PST on Feb 14, 2012

Makes great scarecrow.

February 14
send a green star

Debbie C.

9:11AM PST on Feb 8, 2012

I glued 2 together, and then another 2 together, etc... Then put different lengths of string through them and made a mobile. I hung it in the window and it really reflects the sun.

February 8
send a green star

Ragavan M.

8:25AM PST on Jan 30, 2012

good..

January 30
send a green star

Isabel R.

9:02AM PST on Jan 26, 2012

very cool ideas:) I would only think to sell them or donate them to goodwill

January 26
send a green star

C.M P.

8:11AM PST on Jan 26, 2012

I swap mine online at SwapaDVD.com. They also have sister-sites for CDs and books.

Past Member .

8:37PM PST on Jan 25, 2012

Here to meet tall friends --->t'a'l'l'c'o'n'n'e'c't.c'0'm

January 25
send a green star

Beverly G.

7:13PM PST on Jan 25, 2012

thk u

aj E.

9:09AM PST on Jan 25, 2012

you can make them into a desk clock.

Catherine B.

5:58AM PST on Jan 25, 2012

I string them up in my fruit trees to stop the birds and it works. They dont like the mirror flashing. I used use foil paper cut into strips but the cd's a easier and last longer.

rene d.

6:45PM PST on Jan 24, 2012

thanks.