How Do You Recycle VHS Cassettes

[Subtitles]

In my location, there are no special bins to recycle old VHS cassettes.
As I have a lot of VHS cassettes that I never watch anymore, I want to get rid of them because they take so much space in my bookcases.
The easiest thing would be to throw them into the main garbage bin, but I think it is better to work a little bit and recycle some of the parts.
The way I am doing it is that if the cover is made of carton, then they go into the paper bins and if it is plastic then they go into the plastic bin.
Next I unscrew the 5 small screws on the back of the cassette, open the lid and cut off the tape on the left side from the plastic drum (Luckily I always rewind the tape to the beginning), put the drum back and take out the fully loaded drum on the right side. The screws go into the metal recycle bin.
Then I close the lid and put the whole empty cassette into the plastic bin.
Now my problem is what to do with the drum with the tape?
I think i will throw it into the the main green bin for food and stuff unless you have a better idea.
Your suggestions are welcome.

Do you have in your country a special recycling bins for medias like VHS cassettes?

[dellsam34]

That's too much work if you have a lot of tapes, Depends on the country you live in, some countries/cities allow plastic, paper, aluminum cans and glass to be on the same bin, so I just toss the entire cassettes with paper case in the this bin.

[Subtitles]

It only takes me 5 minutes for each tape.

[dellsam34]

If you are that bored why not, I personally don't have that time knowing other people are already paid to do it at the recycling facility.

[Subtitles]

Hey! Your approach of separating the plastic and paper parts is great. For the magnetic tape, check if local e-waste or electronics recycling centers accept VHS tapes. If not, cutting the tape into smaller pieces before disposal might help prevent issues with recycling machinery. In some areas, there aren’t specific bins for VHS, so the main garbage bin might be your only option. Hope that helps!

Thanks @Aloysius.
The magnetic tape can get a bit too messy if it becomes loose.
Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any instructions by our municipalities what to do with VHS tapes.
They do however provide bins for recycling paper (blue), plastic (orange) and general food waste (green).
It is admirable how people here are conscious about recycling.

[pandy]

why not erase and sell - for sure someone will be interested - erase can be done fast by using strong magnetic field (preferably alternate).

[Subtitles]

why not erase and sell - for sure someone will be interested - erase can be done fast by using strong magnetic field (preferably alternate).

There is no market here for VHS cassettes. Not even brand new ones.