I remember the big VHS vs. betamax debate in the early ‘80s. My best friend chose betamax and proudly showed off her collection of movies, which consisted of about five. I was still living at home at the time and my dad chose to get a VCR. What if we had made the wrong choice I thought?
As it turns out, we all made the wrong choice. VHS tapes had their heyday, but in 2006, film studios stopped releasing new movies in VHS format because DVDs took over the movie business.
If you are like me, you may have hundreds of VHS tapes and not know what to do with them. I do give quite a few, especially the kid movies, to thrift stores. Many parents can afford DVDs for their children and figure the kids movies have an expiration date anyhow, so it is easier and cheaper to get VHS movies.
But, even some thrift stores are no longer accepting VHS tapes. You might try listing your VHS tapes on Freecycle, Craigslist, or a local website where people exchange items.
You can put your old VHS tapes to a good cause by donating them to the Alternative Community Training (ACT) organization. They employ disabled individuals to erase and repacked the tapes. Visit their web site for a donation form. http://www.actrecycling.org/donations/tapes.asp
I’ve seen people use old CDs to scare away birds from their yard or garden and the same is true of VHS tape. Just cut the tape into long strips and hang those up. The fluttering scares birds away from your yard.
The most incredible thing I’ve seen done with old VHS tapes is using them to knit and make baskets. The web site My Recycled Bags http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2008/03/23/vcr-tape-ribbon-sling-bag/ shows you how to make a cute purse out of VHS tape.