by Angie Pollock

Created on: October 01, 2009

There are many uses for all of those unwanted CDs and DVDs that are cluttering up your space. You may want to just discard them but why not go green and recycle those unneeded discs into something usable.

Wall Art

Old CDs and DVDs are perfect as wall art for a teen's bedroom. If you have collected enough discs, they make a unique and inexpensive wall border. The discs attach easily with silver thumb tacks which will blend in with the color of the CD. Your teen may also want to use them for frames of their friends by placing a picture in the center hole and hanging on their walls.

Reflectors

CDs are perfect for reflectors to shine in the dark when headlights approach. You no longer need to buy those orange reflectors for your mailbox or driveway. Simply screw the discs to your mailbox post or to a stake and you have instant reflectors.

Candle Coaster

Create a handy coaster to catch wax drippings from candles with your old CDs. Although you should always use a candle-safe holder for your candles, discs are a great alternative when a holder isn't available. The candle should be flat on the bottom and able to stand on its own. Never leave your candles unattended or burning for more than a few hours at a time.

Holiday Tree Ornaments

Your holiday tree will be shining pretty with your homemade disc ornaments. This is a fun craft for kids as they can customize their CDs for a unique work of holiday art. The discs can be painted or decorated with different art supplies. The discs can also be cut into shapes with sharp scissors. Simply drill a small hole in the top of your disc and attach a ribbon or string and your ornament is ready to be hung.

Sun Catcher

Birds are attracted to shiny objects and CDs will definitely shine in the sunlight. You can make a unique sun catcher using your old discs and hang them around your garden to attract the neighborhood birds. Glue two CDs together with the shiny parts on the outside and hang by either the existing CD hole or drill a small hole in the top of the disc. You can also make an outdoor mobile by hanging several from a horizontal stick.

There are many other creative uses for unneeded discs including making felt-bottom coasters, a small clock, or just keeping one on hand to use as a template for making perfect circles. We are definitely living in a "throw away" society and many times we don't think about the items we are placing in the trash. Next time you have some old CDs or DVDs cluttering up your space, be creative and find an alternative use for those old discs.

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