You listen to music stored on them, watch movies stored on them, play computer games stored on them and now you might even keep your photos on them … they’re CDs and DVDs - and they seem to be everywhere! Making CDs and DVDs uses a lot of natural resources such as aluminum, crude oil, water, silver, gold, nickel and many other resources that have to be taken out of the Earth. Just like aluminum cans or plastic bottles, CDs and DVDs can be recycled to help save the Earth’s precious natural resources and to keep our landfills from becoming too crowded with stuff that should be recycled.

Recycled CDs and DVDs are made into many products we use in our everyday lives, such as auto parts, plastics, office equipment, street lights and even the jewel cases we store our CDs in!

Here’s what you can do to be CD smart and Earth kind:

• If you are tired or bored with one of your CDs or DVDs, don’t throw it away. Instead, trade with a friend. You’ll save money and help save natural resources.
• Trade in your old CDs, DVDs or games at stores where they’ll give you a credit toward purchasing a new one.
• Donate CDs and DVDs you no longer use to a library or local charity.
• Make younger relatives or friends happy by giving them CDs or DVDs that you’ve outgrown.
• Spread the word at school about recycling DVDs and CDs. Ask teachers if you can set up a recycling box in the classroom so students can put their old CDs in it.
• Once you’ve saved up or collected a stack of old CDs, ask your parents to take you to the local recycling center so you can recycle them there.


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