Ask your local authorities about the best way to dispose of CDs or DVDs. — Photo: Andrea Warnecke/dpa-tmn
BERLIN: Many of us are streaming these days but often we still have a couple of favourite CDs and DVDs at home.
If you are paring back on your discs, depending on where you live, you may find some environmentally conscious options available.
Your discs are mainly made of polycarbonate, a high-quality plastic, explains the Federal Environment Agency. Not only can the data carriers be easily recycled and used in various areas such as medical technology, they also save petroleum and CO2 emissions.
Options may include collection point or recycling bin
If you want to recycle your data carriers properly, see if there is a local waste and environmental authority so you can whether there is a collection point nearby.
In some places, such as Germany, it is possible to dispose of them in the recycling bin and this uses only the energy contained in the plastics.
If the discs contain particularly important or sensitive data, then scratch the readable side or shred the whole disc using a document shredder before disposal to ensure that no one can access the data.
If you just want to get rid of CDs and DVDs from your home, you can of course give them away or sell them. This way, you don't create any waste and someone else can still enjoy them.
Careful handling for long life
If you take good care of your CDs and DVDs, you can use them for a long time. Don't touch the surface of the disc with your fingers – instead, hold it by the edge or the opening in the middle.
Fingerprints, like scratches or dust, can affect the readability of the data carrier so if you want to label one, use a waterproof fibre-tip pen without solvents instead of a label.
A soft, lint-free cotton cloth is best to clean the surface to prevent the disc from being accidentally scratched during cleaning. If it has any stubborn stains, use a little water to help ease them off. – dpa
