How to Destroy CDs and DVDs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Some CD's or DVD's have personal or confidential information on them. Destruction of the discs is necessary for security reasons. If you have CD's or DVD's to destroy, then this article will help you.

How to Ruin CDs and DVDs

To destroy a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap and fold it until it breaks, shred it with a disc shredder, cut it with scissors, or smash it with a hammer. You can also microwave a disc for 5-10 seconds, but you’ll no longer be able to use the microwave for food. Melting the disc with a blow torch is another option.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Breakage and Mutilation

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Wrap the discs with plastic wrap and then fold it until it breaks.^{[1]
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You can use a pair of scissors, but be careful as the foil will flake.^{[3]
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Wrap the discs with a towel and use a kick or a hammer to destroy the disc. The towel is used to protect you.
Punch at least 12 holes on the discs.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Heat Application

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1
Microwave the discs. Place the disc into a microwave and set it for 5-10 seconds, or until you see sparks. The microwave cannot be used for food after that.^{[4]
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- Always use adult supervision when doing this step.
Do in a safe area using proper safety gear. The ground on which the CDs sit should be flameproof, such as concrete.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Wiping Data

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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Destroying the Surface

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This does not work on all discs.
Use a belt sander on the top side of the disc. This should be done in an easy-to-clean area.
Soak a cotton pad in pure acetone, then wipe the bottom of the disc with it. It should become frosted and unreadable.^{[5]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How do I wipe a locked disk?

Community Answer

Unlock the disk, then wipe it; if you do not know the password, destroy it.

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Question

If a DVD falls from a shelf would it be okay to use again? I was sorting DVDs yesterday morning, and got concerned when a couple fell off. They did bounce off my bed onto the floor, but it worried me.

Community Answer

As long as there are no broken pieces or scratches on the discs, they should be fine to use.

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Question

I want to destroy a disc and hide the evidence. How do I do it without anyone realizing it was me?

Denneisk

Top Answerer

Snap the disc using your hands while nobody is around and put it somewhere in your outside garbage bin or your local dumpster. If you can't do that, get a lighter and burn it along with paper to mask it.

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Warnings

The vapors released from microwaving the discs are toxic. Use a microwave that you don't care about, because the microwave cannot be used for food after microwaving a disc with it.

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Children should not attempt to destroy a disc.

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Microwaving a disc can make the microwave smell unpleasant.

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Some microwaves could be damaged by a disc. You may reduce damage to the microwave by placing a glass of water in the microwave with the disc.

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It may still be possible to recover the disc's data after the disc has been microwaved or damaged in another way.

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