Ways To Recycle CDs

Now that most of us have embraced the technological wonders that allow storage of our music & movie collections on PCs and portable players, there are an awful lot of CDs and DVDs gathering dust on our shelves and piling up global landfills. So, what to do with these little discs of magical waste? Here are a few ideas:

An easy way to turn a room into a divine rainbow filled oasis is to hang CDs on your wall. You can get creative and form sculptural objects like GW Hart's (see below) or simply attach with blu-tac or make a mobile by sticking CDs back to back (shiny sides up of course!) and hanging from string or ribbon either individually or in groups. Be sure to hang them in an area that gets good sunlight and the resulting rainbow bathed light is almost guaranteed to brighten your day!

RecyclingCDs in the UK will take your unwanted discs and turn them into fabulous clocks which you can buy to close the recycling loop. Have a look at the vast range of designs available here.

Jim Watters has created an awesome lamp from a fluorescent bulb some plywood and around 60 CDs. It looks great and there are full instructions on how to make your own here. Use sustainable (FSC sourced) or recycled 'scrap' wood for the base to ensure extra eco credibility.

GW Hart is a mathematically minded artist who makes fantastically cool sculptures from an assortment of house-hold objects including several great designs from CDs.

More interesting, bizarre and useful tips can be found here, here, here and here...