Virtually Green Music
The sustainable approach to your music
Is your music green?
Browsing the record store for your favorite new CDs might be fun, but direct music downloading is a lot faster and sustainable. Why? Before downloads, you drove in your gas guzzler to the local music store, and then purchased CDs in those hard plastic cases which are definitely not sustainable. But all this can be avoided with digital downloads.
Oldies but Goodies
Recycling and reusing CDs is the responsible thing to do, but millions end up in landfills. This is partly due to people not knowing what to do with their old Britney Spears CD and partly due to the complicated nature of recycling discs. Thankfully, there are more eco-friendly alternatives.
• Recycle
CDs can be recycled for use in new products such as auto parts and office equipment. However, because CDs are made from many different materials such as aluminum, nickel, glass, and even gold, many recycling centers will not accept them as they are difficult to break down. Fortunately, the CD Recycling Center of America accepts old CDs from individuals, companies, schools and libraries. All you need to do is send your CDs to their recycling center and they’ll do the rest. Also, you can use SCGH’s recycling database to find a center near you that accepts CDs and records.
• Reuse as Decoration
There are many simple ways to transform your old CDs and vinyls into objects d’arte such as coasters, chandeliers, wind chimes, vinyl record wall decorations, even bird feeders. Search online for step-by-step instructions on how to turn your plain CDs and vinyls into extraordinary pieces.
• Donate
Some people collect “vintage” CDs and vinyls as a hobby. Your old CDs and vinyls can be other peoples’ treasures. Have a garage sale or donate your old music to thrift stores, vintage music stores, and even schools.
Whatever alternative way you choose to go with your old Cds, remember, throwing them away in a garbage can is never the way to go.
Benefits of digital music
…to your health
Music, in general, relaxes the mind and the soul.
…to your wallet
Music downloads often costs less than an actual CD because of the lack of all that paper and plastic. Plus, no trip to the music store required.
…to the earth
A CD itself is comprised of several layers of plastic and metal which harm the environment before and after it is made. Throughout a lifetime, a person can accumulate tens to even hundreds of CDs, all of which will sit in a landfill for years, whereas a music download might only take up a couple of minutes, perhaps, even seconds of energy on your computer.
Common Mistake
Any form of music piracy, be it illegal downloads, sharing files or making copies of CDs, can cost you thousands of dollars in fines or up to five years in prison.
Learn More
15 Ways to Save a Buck and a Watt
October 12th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Never thought of music in this way. I have tons of CDs but now I mostly download my music. Guess that makes me kinda green, yeah?
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I doubt people buy cds anymore, they download music to their mp3s.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
True, who buys cds anymore? maybe they buy it to support their fav artists or to get the booklet, but most people buy mp3 files.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
i always like when cds come in those foldable cardboard cases. how green are those?
July 6th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
I don’t have a portable mp3 player or dock in my car, though I guess I can make my own CDs from downloads. But I would miss the lyrics and notes for an album. I don’t but many CDs, just a few per year from my favorite artists.