Photo by Mulad via Flickr

There comes a time in every music lover’s life when your CD collection reaches maximum capacity. No longer able to be contained by your available shelf space or easily transported in a few milk crates, you are inevitably forced to transfer your CDs to (gasp!) binders.

What do you do with all the CD jewel cases left over from your little project? Separation anxiety sets in and you start to panic. Maybe you should keep them, “just in case.” As someone who stashed over 500 of the aforementioned cases in my parents’ attic for over a decade, trust me, you’ll never need them. It’s time to let go.

Whatever you do, don’t toss them in the recycling bin. CD jewel cases are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a petrochemical-based plastic mixed with a variety of toxic additives, which makes them particularly difficult to recycle. Most municipal recycling programs won’t accept them.

Don’t throw them in the trash either! They’ll sit in a landfill forever (PVC doesn’t biodegrade) where all those toxics can seep into the ground and water. Or else they’ll burn in an incinerator, releasing cancer-causing dioxins into the air. Fantastic.

Now what? Although you may not need those CD cases anymore, there are many folks that will take them off your hands for reuse or recycling. Here’s a few ideas:

1. Post them on Freecycle or Craigslist. Crafty people use CD jewel cases to make all sorts of crazy things like picture frames, birdhouses, and even chandeliers. If you list them for free on Freecycle or Craigslist, chances are they’ll be snatched up by a grateful artiste in no time.

2. Donate them to libraries, schools, or nonprofits. Remember libraries? Well, in addition to books, they also loan CDs and DVDs. Bet they could use some old jewel cases to replace broken ones. Schools and nonprofits may have similar use for this kind of stuff. Of course, you’ll have to do a little research and calling around to see if you can find an interested organization.

3. Offer them to indie labels or bands. Old cases in good condition might be a budget-friendly resource for indie labels or your favorite band. Who says new releases can’t be packaged in reused CD cases? A little scrub with some vinegar and water and they’ll shine up quite nicely.

4. If you can’t give them away, recycle. Your helpful city or county solid waste office can tell you if there are any local options for recycling CD cases. If not, there’s always Greendisk. Send up to 20 lbs of your old jewel cases (and/or related techno-trash) to this Washington-based company for $7 (plus shipping), and they’ll reuse or recycle them.

Now you’re armed with all the information you need to responsibly part ways with those old CD cases. I promise it won’t hurt…