Q&A for How to Destroy a CD or DVD

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

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

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.

No. This is a common and legal practice, unless you're doing something like destroying evidence in destroying your disk.

Perhaps if someone put sensitive personal information on the disc, like passwords, documents containing bank records, etc, they would need to destroy it. You wouldn't want to just throw it out, as someone could find it and go through it.

If you heat a disc, it will probably release toxic fumes. That is why you shouldn't melt it in the microwave, or at least, do it outside.