I just discovered the motherlode of old computer discs that contained 25-year old backups and correspondence that is utterly irrelevant now.

Can I destroy them by submerging them in boiling water, or is there a better way?

It appears that there are lots of ways to do this. Even microwaving is suggested... but it is also discouraged as causing sparks and potentially contaminating the microwave. All I found said you shouldn't use the microwave for food after that! None seem to be easy.

https://www.wikihow.com/Destroy-a-CD-or-DVD

I am also reading that a lot of recycling places will take them.

I've heard that some of the recycling places can't be trusted and they are sending many tons of electronic waste to China! The were some things afoot to stop that, but I don't know if they ever came to fruition.

May it'll have to be the hammer solution. It's just that there are so many of them! Must be 100 or so.

Yeah, like I said none of the methods looked easy! I guess just do 10 or 20 a day for a week!

Hi hagatha, if you choose the Hammer method make Sure to wrap the discs in a old cloth since fragments of the disc(s) can go flying up and do serious damage to your eyes or any other parts of the body, would be a good idea to wear safety goggles.
The method I use is to either Cut them in half or make several cuts with a garden sheer or a metal cutter or just a good pair of *scissors, which render them useless to use.

Good luck and have fun and as Draclvr mentioned, just 10 to 20 a day.

*The scissors might not be as sharp after use, so make sure it is not your best scissors.

You know, I have a large paper cutter. That might do the job -- again, with goggles.

If I was less concerned about the environment, I'd put a brick in the box and throw it all as far into the ocean as I could.

Yeah a Large paper cutter would do trick, and yes dumping it in the ocean would harm the environment. Some people even suggested of making a fire and burning them, but again would that harm the environment, not to mention to not breath in the smoke and filling your lungs with harsh chemicals.

So, goggles it is.

I don't suppose you have a paper shredder that has a separate slot for discs? That would be my choice.

No. And these are the hard plastic discs anyway. I think the paper cutter is the best option. At any rate I'm off to Home Depot for a few things, so I'll grab some safety goggles while I'm at it.

There are things I'd like to use a hammer on but it wouldn't be discs. I hope the cats don't get scared. Good luck!

Don't know if this would work, I read about it somewhere, perhaps your local computer store could confirm this?

Run a strong magnet over the disk to erase any data on it. Buy a neodymium magnet from an office store or big box store. Rub the magnet all over both sides of your floppy disk. This will scramble all of the data on the disk, making it unusable. ( Neodymium magnets are extra-powerful magnets )

I use one of these magnets for picking up pins from the floor after sewing, I always drop a few, so the magnet could be of use later???

That's a thought, Copper. I might try it.

Hi hagatha, I just realized something, when you say Do You mean "Floppy Disks" if so, they are so Easy to destroy and there are a lot of ways to do it, below is a google search which gives many Easy options to do so....

https://www.google.ca/search?q=How+...AB&biw=1088&bih=437&dpr=1.76

Thanks!

EDIT: I had no idea those disks were that easy to take apart! Now I can rest easy that anything confidential is properly destroyed.

Good to know you can rest easy, did you do them all? or just a bit at a time?

I'm doing a few at a time. There may be stuff I want to keep -- I have a computer expert friend who can read the disks so I'll get him involved if I find anything interesting.

That is a great idea,I did the same, never know what GEMS you might find. Have fun and good luck.