What to do with videos?

Scarlett25

Someone asked about recycling videos in a magazine I read a few months ago, so I cut out the reply. I thought the info might come in handy one day!

A company called EMS (Environmental Media Solutions) dismantle and recycle tapes - they have "a zero landfill policy - everything gets reused." They're hoping to set up collection sites with local councils. Their website is www.ems-europe.co.uk Hope that helps!

Re: charity shops, I managed to donate some videos to a local shop recently and I believe a local YMCA charity shop accepts them as well. But I don't know if that's a nationwide policy or not.

LameWolf

I hadn't heard the term "plarn" before, so thanks for that, Willowpop. I've bookmarked a few likely sites for future perusal.

Contessa

Tapes are difficult to dispose of. My local Age Concern (?) was eager to take them as they are much in demand (strange as it seems) but no other CS were. I've seen VHS tapes in some CS.
Freecycle is usually a good bet as people seem to want anything and everything!

sleepless_saver

sm1971 wrote: »

I looked into recycling tapes a couple of years ago and someone warned me about reusing the tape itself, but I can't remember why - something to do with a residue that was on the tape itself.

This thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/57392177#Comment_57392177 - post 8.

Problems are that it is coated with fine particles including cobalt, chromium and lead which are released as the tape degrades, and I suppose on to your hands if you are using it for crochet etc. Plus the tape itself is flammable.

FlubM

Thank you all for your replies. The upshot is that a relative expecting first child is biting my hands off for children's videos (and cassette tapes) so they will find a good home. Sadly, now that I have siad they are going, my hoarding husband seems intent on playing thorugh all the home recorded videos which he hasn't even looked at for YEARS with some dotty idea of somehow transferring them to DVD:mad:. However, now that I have presented him with the first (large) batch, his enthusiasm seems to be waning. I have now found at least double the original quantity so am in two minds whether to give him these and hope he sees sense or just take them to the tip (trouble is I'm too honest to do that!).

googler

Depending on rarity or not, VHS tapes can fetch money on eBay.

The highest value most recent sale was £350 for a Luke Kelly music vid, closely followed by a movie and a WWF tape at £330 and £250 respectively

If you have any 'pre-certification' horror movies, you would appear to be quids in, but the only way to tell for your collection is to log in to eBay, and look at Sold Listings

Disney can fetch up to £45 each, by the look of it, Michael Jackson VHS also seems popular....

Crikey; Steve Davis' World of Snooker ... £27

googler

FlubM wrote: »

Sadly, now that I have siad they are going, my hoarding husband seems intent on playing through all the home recorded videos which he hasn't even looked at for YEARS with some dotty idea of somehow transferring them to DVD

Get him a Panasonic HDD/VHS/DVD machine, and he can transfer the tapes to HDD overnight, and edit on HDD, then transfer to DVD at high speed during the day

Don't you want to see your home movies again?

FlubM

I'm sorry, I seem to have confused you all. The home recorded videos aren't home videos of cherished family moments, just TV programmes recorded years ago! Anywat, to be fair to DH, he does seem to be on a mission to sort outh the garage so I have dumped the videos in there:D.

googler

FlubM wrote: »

I'm sorry, I seem to have confused you all. The home recorded videos aren't home videos of cherished family moments, just TV programmes recorded years ago!

Might still fetch something on eBay, depending on what's on them.

Someone sold a set of Top of the Pops recordings, £25 for 30 tapes...

FunkyFairy

My local Morrisons has charity bins in the car park which takes video tapes. I put all mine in there a few months ago.