If you are like most people, you have moved your CD collection to a notebook style carrier. You may go through this from time to time and discard CD's that you no longer listen to or have become too worn for the laser in your player. What do you do with those jewel cases and worn CD's? They are environmentally unfriendly as they don't decompose, so here are a few ideas to tickle your imagination and get you started on recycling them.

Let's start with the jewel cases. Many will just toss them aside, but there are a lot of different things you can do with a jewel case you aren't using to store your CD. Here are just two:

1. Stained Glass Sun-catcher - This is a bit different from using the CD as a sun catcher. It takes a little more effort, so this project is rated moderately easy. Open the jewel case and remove the holder for the CD. Pick a design and paint it using stained glass paint and leading onto the front cover of the jewel case. If you have a limited ability in design, you can buy kits from your local craft store with decals and leading to create your design. Once the paint is dry, snap the jewel case shut. In the upper left hand corner, drill a small hole and string fishing wire through the hole. Stringing it this way will allow you to hang your beautiful new creation in a diamond shape in your window from a suction cup hook. Enjoy the way the light now plays through your stained glass sun-catcher.

2. Do you collect butterflies or insects? Maybe you have a collection of small thin shells or another small object. You can use your jewel cases to create a nice wall display for these things. Open up the jewel case and remove the CD holder. For the insect collection it is recommended that you place a square of batting or felt inside the jewel case. Attach your insect. Snap the jewel case shut. For the collection of shells, you could use a small amount of glue to hold them in place or fill the jewel case with a little sand and place the shells decoratively in the sand. If you do this, it is recommended that you seal the jewel case with hot glue around the edges.

Moving on to the CD's themselves. A worn out CD need not be thrown out into the trash. We've all seen Christmas ornaments and clocks made from old CD's, here are a few new ideas for you:

1. Use the CD as a reflector. Don't buy expensive reflectors for your mailbox or the end of your driveway. Add old CD's to your mailbox post by drilling a hole in them and then screwing them to the post.

If the end of your driveway is hard to see at night, make a reflector out of the CD. Drill a hole in a 24 inch post and through the CD. Screw the CD to the post and place them in the ground at the end of your drive. Your family and friends will thank you for making the drive more visible at night.

2. Use the CD in a candle display. Place under pillar candles or tapered candles in holders to reflect the glow from a burning candle. These can be glued together to make a large base for a large candle or used individually.

3. Use the CD as a template for the perfectly round circle pattern.

4. Use the CD as a coaster. Buy some thin cork sheets from your local craft store. Use the CD to cut the cork into a round shape. Next, cut a piece of felt using the CD as a template. On one side of the CD glue the cork. On the bottom of the cork glue the felt.

5. Use the CD as a scarecrow in your garden. String a few CD's in your bean patch to keep birds and other animals from stealing your garden bounty.

6. Make bowls out of the CD. Place the CD in the oven over a metal bowl on low temperature or use a blow dryer on high heat setting to soften the CD. Once the CD is softened, they can be shaped into a bowl. Glue another CD to the bottom to create a custom candy dish. If you would like to use your new bowl and the hole in the bottom is a concern, you can seal this with silicone sealer bought at your local hardware store. Add in a decorative gem or stone before the sealer is set to create a unique finishing touch.

As with any project, it is wise to use caution and the proper tools. When working with CD's or their jewel cases, it is recommended that you use safety goggles or glasses and where protective gloves. While this is a malleable plastic, it can break and cut just like glass does.

can be used in many ways to create art for our homes, toys for our young, and environmentally friendly yard helpers. Help to save the environment by not throwing out these great pieces of material. Use them to bring out your creative side.

This article is copyright to lynnechandler at HubPages 2009 with all rights reserved.