How to Get Rid of Old VHS Tapes Without Getting Rid of Your Memories

For a long time, most of your weekend entertainment came from your VHS tapes. You recorded your favorite shows onto tapes throughout the week and then used your leisure time to catch up on the latest episodes. You also purchased your favorite movies as VHS tapes.

Now, though, you have access to lots of streaming services, and your VCR is broken. Here’s how to get rid of VHS tapes without getting rid of their content.

Send Your Tapes Immediately

When you’re figuring out how to dispose of VHS tapes, you want to continue to see the content as you did when the tapes were new. However, if your tapes are more than five years old, the audio and visuals are probably a little fuzzy. VHS tapes have always provided lower quality media than DVDs or digital movies because the technology is older.

Additionally, the videotape, which is magnetized, deteriorates as time goes on, so the video quality gets even lower. To avoid letting the tape decay to the point that your VHS tapes are useless, send your old tapes to the scanning service as soon as possible.

Preserve Old Memories

While you need to figure out how to get rid of VHS tapes, you don’t want to throw away the experience of watching your favorite shows. Your VCR is broken now, and a repair is too expensive or not available.

Once your video scans are complete, you can share your memories with your children, grandchildren, and friends. Whether the tapes have your favorite childhood movies or your wedding recording, digitizing your VHS tapes allows you to take a walk down memory lane whenever you feel like it.

Work With Your Schedule

Sometimes you don’t realize how quickly you need to find an answer to the question, “How do I get rid of old VHS tapes?” Perhaps your tapes are deteriorating more quickly than you thought, or maybe your family reunion is coming up and you want to show home movies on a DVD-only projector.

Whatever the reason, if you have an urgent deadline for your order, reach out to the professionals at Smart Photo Scanning. While they can’t guarantee a quick turnaround time, it never hurts to ask.

Know That Your Digital Files Are Secure

You’re probably worried about sending your cherished VHS tapes in the mail, and you’re concerned that your tapes and the new recordings will get damaged on the way back. However, if you pack your tapes securely, you don’t need to stress about their condition.

Additionally, the scanning company keeps copies of your digital files for at least 90 days. If you lose or damage a copy or realize that you need extra, you can order replacements. Also, if you think you might need more copies of a tape but you’re not sure, just ask Smart Photo Scanning to maintain the backup files for a longer period.

For tapes that contain sensitive content, when you fill out the initial form for how to destroy old VHS tapes, request that the digital files be deleted as soon as your copies are ready.

Choose Between Shipping and Dropping Off Your Tapes

If you’re interested in how to dispose of VHS tapes properly and you live within driving distance of Lodi, New Jersey, you can drop your tapes off at the scanning facility instead of mailing them. This method saves you the stress of making sure that your VHS tapes are properly packaged and free of moisture.

On the other hand, if you live more than a state away, it’s simpler just to send your tapes through the mail. Choose the drop-off option that works best for your schedule, anxiety level, and the number of tapes; the quality of your service won’t be affected either way.

Pay for Your Tapes in Two Transactions

You’re hesitant about paying for your VHS tapes’ digitization until you see the finished product. You must pay half the price of your order when you submit your digitization request, which helps cover the cost of scanning and securing your order. However, the second half isn’t due until Smart Photo Scanning has finished transferring your data from VHS tapes to digital storage.

You’ll receive an email explaining the total cost based on how many tapes were digitized. As a result, you don’t need to stress if your initial estimate was a little off. Send the second half of your payment to the company, and your digital content and VHS tapes are on their way back to you.

For example, if you send in 20 VHS tapes at $20 per tape, you pay $200 initially and another $200 when your tapes’ transfer is done. This staggered payment schedule allows you to use a variety of payment options when you decide how to discard VHS tapes.

Lower Your Environmental Impact

Once your video content has been scanned, the VHS tapes that stored your videos are worthless. Now you need to figure out how to dispose of your VHS tapes without hurting the environment. Many old VHS owners simply toss their unneeded tapes into their garbage cans, but this practice contributes to the overflowing landfills around the country.

The magnetic tape that records video is not recyclable, so you need to remove it. Throw the tape away, use it for a craft project, or save it to explain to younger generations about old film storage practices. Now that the tape is gone, your empty plastic cassettes are recyclable.

If your municipal recycling program accepts plastic, simply put your tapes into your recycling bin for regular pickup. If not, reach out to an electronic recycling facility in your area and see if they can help you figure out how to dispose of old VHS tapes.

Create Fun Art Projects

If you’re too emotionally attached to your VHS tapes to recycle them, consider turning them into fun art projects. For knitters, use your tapes to create unique storage facilities for your yarn. Remove the magnetic tape and replace it with your favorite colors. Then, enjoy your latest movie-inspired knitting project or next movie night without the hassle of your yarn spilling all over the floor. This method also saves you from having to wind your yarn yourself, a big bonus if you have arthritis or are short on time.

 

You’re not a big knitter, but you’re still asking yourself, “How do you dispose of old VHS tapes?” Use your empty tapes to spruce up your coffee table in the room where you watch TV. First, find an old table from the thrift store or your attic and clean it thoroughly.

Once there’s no more dust or moisture on the top, use strong glue or epoxy to cover it with VHS tapes. Use a finish or gloss that’s rated for plastic to seal the top of your new table and make it secure for holding drinks, DVDs, or books. Now you have a movie-themed table that lets you remember all your VHS-watching days.

 

Yet another craft project inspired by your VHS tapes involves your old photos, too. Take out the magnetic tape as well as the spools inside, and replace these mechanical components with a photo. Either remove the back of the VHS tape to make a standard picture frame or leave the back on to give your frame a lid. These picture frames make excellent presents or favors if you host an Oscars or film-related party.

Minimize Your Electronic Use

If you’re wondering how to dispose of VHS tapes, you don’t want to get rid of the movies, shows, and home videos stored on them. However, you’re sick of all the space that these bulky cassettes and their VCR take up. You also want to be able to use the DVD player, Chromecast, Apple TV, or other media players you’ve invested in. To minimize the number of devices you need and make your investment in new players worthwhile, send your tapes to a photo scanning service that also offers VHS scanning.

 

Scan Your Tapes Today

To begin the process, visit Smooth Photo Scanning’s website and select the option for how to dispose of old VHS tapes. Choose the type of media you have (VHS tapes), making sure that you don’t click the option for broadcast tapes or VHS repair.

Add an estimate of how many tapes you have to see the proposed price, which is $20 per tape. Make sure to send in at least three VHS tapes, since the minimum order price is $50. Once you’ve created an account, you’re ready to ship your tapes to the company. Then, all you have to do is wait for the new digital content to arrive.

 

Deciding how to dispose of your VHS tapes isn’t easy, especially because you’re emotionally attached to the memories and content. Instead of throwing your old tapes away, send them to Smart Photo Scanning. You receive digital editions that you can watch anywhere, and you can recycle or reuse the digitized tapes to help the environment and preserve your movie-watching memories.