Are you leaving your 90s or 00s best-self behind and cleansing your memories from the era? (A few of those essential collections are becoming obsolete.)
It’s time to donate those used CDs in today’s Where Can I Wednesday.
And those scratched CDs? You can donate them, too!
I forgot about a box under my bed filled with CDs from the better of my teenage years until recently. I decided to rid myself of these gems – after creating Youthful Punk and SO 2002 Spotify playlists, obviously.
Ready to purge your old CDs too? We got a few places for you:
Where to donate & recycle used CDs in Philadelphia:
Philly Aids Thrift accepts CDs, tapes, AND records, for the full spectrum. Please bring CDs in cases (instead of dropping off your old binders) and they prefer to have covers. 710 S. 5th Street, Philadelphia 19147
Bethesda Project accepts CDs as long as they are clean and aren’t being disposed of due to bedbugs. 1630 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146 & Our Brother’s Place (our men’s overnight shelter) at 907 Hamilton Street. no longer!
Lighthouse Thrift Shop & Whosoever Gospel Mission Thrift Shopaccepts used CDs and cassette tapes between 9:45 am – 4:00 pm, Monday to Saturday. Lighthouse Thrift Shop, 6515 Rising Sun Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111, (215) 745-8780; Whosoever Gospel Mission Thrift Shop, 101 E. Chelten Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144
CHOP: A past radiation patient from Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP) created a donation drive for used CDs and books on tapes for radiation patients. What a great idea! You’ll have to either drive to drop off or mail donations to CHOP, c/o FBC Lansdale, 700 North Broad Street, Lansdale, PA 19446. This program has since ended.
Best Buy recycles used CDs and Jewel Cases in-store recycling bins. Perfect for those mixed CDs, no matching or complete CD cases needed.
Discs for Dogs is a program that’s wrapping up, but the concept is amazing. They accept old music CDs or DVDs, sell them for $.50 or $1 each and donate 100% to their local SPCA! (Located in New York, but we can help homeless pets everywhere.) They’ll also reimburse you for shipping OR donate those dollar bills to the SPCA instead – your choice. Contact them directly if interested in donating.
Best Buy’s handy CD recycle bin.
Readers, any other organizations that accept (or recycle) used CDs that you prefer? Let us know in the comments.
Julie Hancher
Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia.
