Expired Credit Cards

November 24, 2004 11:41 AM

What do you do with expired credit cards? I shred receipts and old statements, so it just seems wrong to toss them in the trash...
posted by dness2 to Work & Money (21 answers total)

Cut them into pieces with some scissors. Divide into two piles, throw them out on separate trash days.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 11:44 AM on November 24, 2004

My brothers system is to crack them into 8 pieces and throw one piece away at a time in different bins as he walks the dog. And you think I'm paranoid.....
posted by dabitch at 11:45 AM on November 24, 2004

My shredder has a special slot for them. It's a $30 Fellowes cross-cut one.

I wonder what would happen in if you put them in a shredder without it advertised as a feature.
posted by smackfu at 11:54 AM on November 24, 2004

Response by poster: Hey, it works. Thanks smackfu. Now I have about 80 pieces which I can toss in different cans just like your brother dabitch. And if (when) this shredder dies, I will look for one that specifically accepts credit cards. I had no idea they were out there.
posted by dness2 at 12:11 PM on November 24, 2004

I do exactly what Optimus does. My shredder doesn't shred them very well. Actually, I'm thinking it may be time for a new shredder, since lately it's not shredding paper too well either.
posted by ursus_comiter at 12:19 PM on November 24, 2004

I use them for smoothing down filler when doing household repairs.
posted by Pericles at 12:24 PM on November 24, 2004

You guys don't have any scissors? I mean I have a credit card expire what, like once a year, once every 2 years? I can spend 5 minutes cutting it up.

Also, there's always fire.
posted by RustyBrooks at 12:30 PM on November 24, 2004

Man, I thought I was paranoid. Generally I cut it up into strips and save one piece that has part of the card number on it. That piece gets thrown out some time later, whenever I think of it.
posted by samh23 at 12:36 PM on November 24, 2004

I do what dabitch does.
posted by Juicylicious at 12:42 PM on November 24, 2004

Sorry, should have said:

"I do what dabitch's bro does."
posted by Juicylicious at 12:42 PM on November 24, 2004

Guitar picks.
posted by mecran01 at 12:49 PM on November 24, 2004

yeah, cause I only break it into four pieces. ;)
posted by dabitch at 12:57 PM on November 24, 2004

I burn the 3-digit code off the signature strip on the back, then cut it up and throw away all but one piece (usually with a part of the number (at least two digits) and exp-date on it). I have all those pieces in a box.
posted by j.edwards at 2:14 PM on November 24, 2004

I cut them up into about eight pieces and then throw one piece away when ever I think of it.
posted by Mitheral at 2:36 PM on November 24, 2004

I always liked Frank Abegnale's method: throw half the chunks in a trash can at one airport, and throw the other half into a can at another. Of course, throwing them out on separate trash days works too, but it's not quite as cool.
posted by calistasm at 5:44 PM on November 24, 2004

I hand them out to random strangers on the street.

Actually, I've never had an expired credit card, so I will bookmark this thread until November 2005.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 6:33 PM on November 24, 2004

Chew toy for the dog.
posted by trondant at 6:54 PM on November 24, 2004

My dad has a farm where he burns his trash so when I go visit him every other weekend I bring out any trash I need burned, ie. credit card offers, receipts and expired credit cards. Works like a charm.
posted by govtdrone at 10:31 AM on November 25, 2004

i tear mine in half and throw it in the bin.
posted by andrew cooke at 11:33 AM on November 25, 2004 [1 favorite]

I sometimes make guitar picks with them. Some cards achieve just the right blend of flexibility and stiffness as they age.
posted by weston at 3:47 PM on November 25, 2004

I do what Juicylicious does.
posted by grouse at 3:54 PM on November 25, 2004