# Suggestions requested on what to do with my old VHS tapes **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 14, 2005, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970 "2005-08-14T15:27:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/1 "2005-08-14T15:27:35Z")
Yes, the time has come when I feel enough of my collection has been replaced to think about getting rid of the majority of the old ones. They’re just taking up space anyway! But… What did everyone else do about them? Throw them out? That seems apallingly wasteful! Donate them to a library, or something similar? Ideas, please! Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/2 "2005-08-14T15:35:26Z")
If they’re prerecorded, donate them. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/3 "2005-08-14T15:38:29Z")
I’m in a similar situation. I thought about selling them on eBay, but nobody’s buying. I have a numbered boxed-set of Werner Herzog’s _Fitzcarraldo_ that I’ve viewed only once. Since I have it on DVD, I don’t need the collector’s boxed set. I checked on eBay and one that I saw for $9.99 did not sell. There’s another one there now for $4.00 with no bids. I hate to ‘waste’ my tapes by throwing them away. I cringe at how much money I spent on them, when I think of selling them for pennies. I don’t know anyone to give them to. I fear that libraries might just dump them, as I’ve seen them dump old books. Actually – this just popped into my head – I know an older woman who borrows VHS tapes from the library. Our tastes in films are rather different, but I should call her to see if she wants mine. Maybe she has friends who will like the ones she doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/4 "2005-08-14T15:50:42Z")
If you have anything you recorded off the TV that doesn’t seem likely to appear on a commercial DVD release, you might want to transfer it onto your hard drive and make a compilation DVD or ten. Then you can throw your tapes out. I have to embark on this project, although I have more than 200 tapes of stuff that isn’t going to show up on DVD anytime soon, if ever. So you can see why I’m putting it off… ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/5 "2005-08-14T16:04:31Z")
> [@fishbicycle](#): > > If you have anything you recorded off the TV that doesn’t seem likely to appear on a commercial DVD release, you might want to transfer it onto your hard drive and make a compilation DVD or ten. Then you can throw your tapes out. I have to embark on this project, although I have more than 200 tapes of stuff that isn’t going to show up on DVD anytime soon, if ever. So you can see why I’m putting it off… I feel your pain. I have nearly 1000 tapes. I’ve been transferring some stuff to DVD. So far, a few of the shows I had entire runs of are being released on DVD. Of course, this happens AFTER I’ve transferred them! Right now I’m working on _Rocko’s Modern Life_. When I’ve finished transferring, I’ll disassemble the tape and store the take-up reel and toss the rest. For the tapes that I don’t want to keep, I bust them up and toss them. I’d like to be able to recycle all that plastic, but I have no idea how to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/6 "2005-08-14T16:06:09Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Right now I’m working on _Rocko’s Modern Life_. If only I could find my _Brothers Grunt_ tape! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/7 "2005-08-14T16:39:57Z")
A library probably won’t want them for their own collection (though you never know), but if, like many libraries, they have an annual used book sale to raise funds for the library, there’s a good chance they could take them and sell them there for a couple of bucks. If there are any stores in your area that sell used videos, you could see if they want them. If you know of anyone who’s having a garage sale, you could offer your tapes for sale. Would a Goodwill store (or something like that) want them? ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/8 "2005-08-14T19:49:49Z")
I just donated a fair number of pre-recorded videotapes to a goodwill store about an hour ago. They seemed happy enough to take them off my hands. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/9 "2005-08-14T21:03:45Z")
Weave the tapes into mats, and use them for blinds/curtains. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/10 "2005-08-14T23:55:34Z")
i sent mine to the military. most units have training tapes, so they have vcrs. this way they also have movie night. some of my tapes went to mil. hospitals as well. mostly the family disney type… it makes it easier for kids when they visit, they can watch a movie with mom or dad. try some rehab hospitals or shelters in your area. ---
**Author:** ![Anaptyxis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anaptyxis/32/3171_2.png) [@Anaptyxis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaptyxis)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/11 "2005-08-15T02:13:14Z")
I gave away my large collection of audio tapes via my local [Freecycle](http://www.freecycle.org/) group. If you live near a city of decent size, it seems like there is always someone willing to take your stuff, and you have the satisfaction of knowing that they aren’t in the landfill. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/12 "2005-08-15T02:16:28Z")
Domestic violence shelters are usually desperate for entertainment-related donations. Tapes, CDs, DVDs, whatever. The women and children who stay at these shelters can use something to take their minds off their unfortunate circumstances. You’d want to be careful not to donate anything with a plot that involved stalking or harming women or kids, of course. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/13 "2005-08-15T02:51:38Z")
If you hit a tape in the right spot, you could break it open with your head. I’m just sayin’ is all. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/14 "2005-08-15T03:09:39Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Weave the tapes into mats, and use them for blinds/curtains. I was going to suggest making a hammock. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/15 "2005-08-15T04:45:05Z")
Anything not R rated can be donated to a children’s hospital. Shriner’s, in particular, got a whole bunch of ours. The G and PG went to the little kids’ wing, and the PG-13 went to the teen room. ---
**Author:** ![Ashes\_Ashes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@Ashes\_Ashes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashes_Ashes)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/16 "2005-08-15T06:12:54Z")
Assisted living/retirement homes might be happy to have some of them. It can get dull, especially if you’re a younger resident. I will bake many delicious cakes and cookies for anybody who transfers all my tapes to dvd. ---
**Author:** ![parthenokinesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cc9497/32.png) [@parthenokinesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parthenokinesis)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/17 "2005-08-15T06:59:44Z")
Put them in boxes, and send them via Fed Ex to random places overseas. Then when the plane goes down… ---
**Author:** ![Imasquare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2005, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/18 "2005-08-15T23:48:03Z")
I don’t know if this is permissable where you live but here in Squaresville people just put things they no longer want on the footpath outside their house. Before long someone will come along a take it away. This actually annoys the hell out of me because more often than not people are just dumping their rubbish on the path for someone else to eventually clean up. But sometimes it has obviosuly been put there because it is something that will be useful for someone else and is taken away promptly. ---
**Author:** ![sleeepy2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@sleeepy2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeepy2)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/19 "2005-08-16T00:11:27Z")
When my grandfather was in a “retirement community” I saw they’d take any donations of books or movies. They especially like books-on-tape. _Rocko’s Modern Life_ might be interesting… ---
**Author:** ![sleeepy2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@sleeepy2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeepy2)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970/20 "2005-08-16T00:16:28Z")
When my grandfather was in a “retirement community” I saw they’d take any donations of books or movies. They especially like books-on-tape. _Rocko’s Modern Life_ might be interesting… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-requested-on-what-to-do-with-my-old-vhs-tapes/316970.md?page=2)