Compared with some other forms of media, CDs and DVDs are often seen as somewhat disposable by users. We leave CDs to burn up in our cars, and we pile DVD discs on top of each other out of laziness. When we don’t need them anymore, or receive discs that are unwanted, we find creative ways of disposing of them. While this isn’t recommended for safety reasons, some people have even taken to putting them in microwaves and watch them spark and turn blue from the heat! With past services like AOL that handed out discs left and right, and the way CDs and DVDs tend to become easily scratched and damaged over time, it’s easy to see why some people would view them as disposable.
But before you toss those discs, consider what has happened with other forms of media. Vinyl records have made a comeback in recent years as collector’s items, not just with older ones fetching large sums of money, but with companies actually pressing new ones for the latest music, and offering them with various goodies, as an alternative to CDs or digital downloads. Similarly, old video game cartridges and systems have become nostalgic, and some can fetch pretty high amounts of money, especially for popular games that are now very rare to find. For some people, obsolete technology can have a special place in their heart, or can even just be a fun novelty.
Even now, many older CDs and DVDs that are no longer in print can fetch a lot of money from those who really want them, especially if they have collector’s value. So before you toss or mistreat those discs, consider saving or taking better care of them. Even if you don’t sell them, you might find you have a pretty great conversation piece one day.