How to Destroy a CD or DVD

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. Fold and bust. Wrap the discs with...

Table of Contents

Breakage and mutilation
Heat application
Wiping data
Destroying the surface

Method 1 of 4:

Breakage and mutilation

Fold and bust. Wrap the discs with plastic wrap and then fold it until it breaks.
Shred the discs with a disc shredder.
Cut the discs. You can use a pair of scissors, but be careful as the foil will flake.
Break the discs. Wrap the discs with a towel and use a kick or a hammer to destroy the disc. The towel is used to protect you.
Cut the discs with a knife.
Center punch the discs. Punch at least 12 holes on the discs.

Method 2 of 4:

Heat application

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.
1. Always use adult supervision when doing this step.
Use a blow torch to melt the discs. Do in a safe area using proper safety gear. The ground on which the CDs sit should be inflammable, such as concrete.

Method 3 of 4:

Wiping data

Erase the discs with the computer, if the disc is rewritable and the computer has a CD-RW drive.

Method 4 of 4:

Destroying the surface

Cover the disc with duct tape, then rip it off. This does not work on all discs.
Sand the discs. Use a belt sander on the top side of the disc. This should be done in an easy-to-clean area.
Wipe with acetone. Soak a cotton pad in pure acetone, then wipe the bottom of the disc with it. It should become frosted and unreadable.

Samuel Daniel

Update 04 March 2020

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