Recycling

Recycled CDs and DVDs

By editor ⋅ August 12, 2008 ⋅ Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Although this recycled CD Letter Holder is featured for Mother’s Day, change the fabric embellishment and the base shape and it would be suitable as a homemade gift for anyone.

No need to stop there - ask the kids if they would like to make this Timmy the Turtle CD as a fridge magnet, or, if the timing is right, challenge them to make a Recycled CD Memo Bunny for Easter.

But there are also many other ways to use those unwanted CDs and DVDs! Maybe you’ll get inspired by one of these creative recycling ideas:

CD Clock
Cover the label with pretty gift wrap, then attach a cheap battery-powered clock so that the spoke sticks through the hole in the CD. Use number stickers or decals to indicate the clock face on the shiny, iridescent side of the CD. Attach to a base of some kind, or hang on the wall.

CD Snowman
Put together a cute CD Snowman, by reusing an old CD and recycling a juice can lid to make the snowman shape. Just add paint and colorful accessories for the cuteness.

CD Reflectors
Use twine to hang lots of shiny CDs or DVDs near your garden, fruit trees or chicken coop, where they can turn in the wind and reflect the sun. They look pretty but predatory birds won’t like them at all! Or glue two CDs, shiny side out, to a stake and use as a reflective driveway marker.

CD Wall Border
If you have lots of CDs, glue them around the top of the wall to decorate a teen’s or tweens bedroom.

CD Disco Ball or Shiny Picture Frame
MakingFriends has easy instructions to make a miniature disco ball from broken CDs. One easy way to cut a CD into small pieces is to soften it first with a hair dryer. Glue the small pieces over a foam ball, or use the the same technique to decorate a mirror or picture frame.

CD Furniture Protectors
Recycle CDs as coasters, to protect your tables, or place under furniture to protect your carpets.

CD Garden Border and Plant Markers
Stick the CDs around the edge of a flower bed, overlapping as you go, to create a unique flower border. A single CD can be stuck in the earth beside seed plantings; write the name of the plant right on the CD in permanent marker.

CD Jewel Case Picture Frames
Check out the video tutorial, and easy directions, to make these snazzy CD Jewel Case Picture Frames.

CD Drip Catcher and Candle Reflector
Place a CD under a candle to catch wax drips and reflect the candlelight.

CD Curtain or Valance
Drill two holes opposite each other on each CD, then attach the CDs with jump rings to make a cool window valance. Make multiple strings of CDs in this fashion, and mount them across the top of a doorway like a beaded curtain.

Scrapbook Embellishments or Altered CD Mini Book
Cover CDs with pretty paper and embellishments to adorn your scrapbooks. Or make this attractive Altered CD Mini Book from PagesoftheHeart.

Finally, for more ideas, check out the imaginative art work of the Flickr Recycled CD group, where members share photos of their recycled CDs, and the CD sculptures of George Radbaugh for awesome inspiration.

Tags: CD, CDs, recycled, Recycling