How to recycle a VCR for free?

Question

Does anybody have any experience recycling an old VCR? I have one that's over 20 years old, it does not work, and it's huge and heavy. I know it's loaded with metal and I don't want to just chuck it.

I've heard of places that charge $10 to recycle electronics, but is there a way to do it for free? (I belong to the mass of "working poor.") I'd be willing to dismantle it myself if that would help.

Thanks very much.

Answer 1

I use this company all the time. They're great. You need 11 pieces of c**p for them. That means old TVs, VCRs, computer monitors and printers, tape decks, video cameras, stereo from 1970, etc.

Schedule a pickup with recyclingelectronics.com. They will come for free. You just leave it out on the sidewalk for them. Believe it or not, they make a ton of money on old electronic stuff.

p.s. I know you only have one thing, but imagine how many friends you have that will be psyched to get rid of old junk that they think they have to hang on to.  

Answer 2

You local Household Hazardous Waste program recycles most objects and safely disposes of what they can't. Try giving them a call.

Some charities like Goodwill or Salvation Army repair broken electronics for sale. Since it's an older model you may have better luck looking for an international charity like this.

Answer 3

Ebay it as scrap.......

Answer 4

You could always pawn it.

OR donate it to a computer place, even Best Buy, but I would think a smaller technology place of a school or something could use it.

Those technology schools like old stuff to take apart.

Better Yet!!-Sony Electronics Recycling Program

Teaming up with Sony, we’ve built a recycling program that makes it easy to dispose of electronics in an environmentally safe way. Bring your unwanted Sony products to any participating Waste Management eCycling drop-off center and recycle it for free. http://www.sony.com/recycle

Answer 5

Office Depot has electronic recycling program. You have to buy a box from them, and they will ship it to the recycle place. The boxes cost $5, 10 and 15.

Answer 6

www.clarkhoward.com has sites listed that buy broken electronics or can safely disposal of them.

Answer 7

You might want to post it on your local freecycle. Someone may be looking for a part for their 20 year old VCR!

Answer 8

go to www.earth911.org they can find a drop off location by zip code.  

Answer 9

Sure, dismantle it.   I love doing that, and sometimes am able to see what the problem is.   It often is just some lint shorting out something.   Since it is an appliance that might have capacitors in it still holding a charge it might be kinda dangerous.   I'd dunk it in a bucket of water for a couple minutes first and hope that shorts out any lingering current.    Wouldn't be usable anymore, but might keep you alive.

Answer 10

separate as battery, waste plastic, electrical plate (PCB), metal.... and disposal it.

Answer 11

Pleease, just throw the da*m thing out !!

The trash companies smash 'em and sort out most all of any recyclable or recoverable money-making material that is in the

garbage they handle.

It is a multi-million dollar industry - that's why the Mafia runs most

of anything in the recycling business....

Answer 12

is every easy just give it alway to some body or to a place that will help those that dont have ny things

Answer 13

You might call a local junkyard who takes in junk cars.  Right now, most of them are offering $$ for cars so they might just take the vcr and add it to their junk pile.