Ten Amazing Ways to Repurpose and Recycle 3.5 Floppy Disks (Diskettes)

You know you are “getting on a bit” when you start to notice how far technology has come since you were a child. And for me, one thing that I have noticed more than anything else changing is computer memory! Nowadays it is all cloud data that, terabyte this and when I was a teenager I had to make do with cassette tapes and floppy disks! But this blog post is inspired by the later and we will be finding out that other people have happy memories of their 3.5″ Diskettes as well. So I thought I would bring you what I think is…


 

Floppy Disk Messenger Bag
Floppy Disk Messenger Bag

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Arty, great recycling, amazing to look at and a great talking point are all things that this “messenger bag” is with ease. For me, it was the colours of the diskettes that made it stand out from the others and the cheaper price.

floppy disk planters
floppy disk planters

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You can buy these rather cool looking diskette planters, but there is a first class making guide in the link. So if you have some old floppy disks and don’t really know what to do with them this could well be the perfect item to make.

Mario Wall Art
Mario Wall Art

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This cool Super Mario Mosaic made using floppy disks was done by Rodrigo Barraza and I don’t think it would be that hard to replicate. After all the shape of the diskettes makes for a perfect 8-bit pixel.

Deluxe Floppy Disk Pillow
Deluxe Floppy Disk Pillow

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Does vintage memory storage get any cuter than this?!? I can’t see how because this is right up there! Stuff it, I think I really need to buy one of these right now.

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Floppy Disk Coasters
Floppy Disk Coasters

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While this looks like a simple case of buying a set of overpriced diskettes  placing them on a table and putting your drink on them these are far more than that, with a cork base, and thick vinyl cover they are not only quality made but also built to last, try placing a hot coffee onto a normal diskette and see how long it lasts!

Floppy Disk Notebook
Floppy Disk Notebook

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Yeah, I know this is not exactly the work of a genius, but I still think that is a great item for an even better price! Less than a fiver for a bit of retro happiness? Shut up and take my money!

Floppy Disk Pen and Pencil Holder
Floppy Disk Pen and Pencil Holder

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Once again it is the simplicity of these that I enjoy. Nothing special and I am most of us could knock one up for ourselves if we tried hard enough but why should you waste time doing that when they cost under a fiver anyway, making them the perfect little birthday gift.

Disk Combobulation
Disk Combobulation

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This is, in fact, a great piece of artwork by George Hart and is thirty faced with twelve pentagonal openings and is said to be a true truncated rhombic triacontahedron. It is a great use of these old diskettes and for me showed how well-loved these little disks they called floppy’s really are.

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Diskette wall art
Diskette wall art

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It has to be said that while this may well be a simple idea, it not only makes perfect sense but also looks close to perfect as well! Maybe it is the retro-ness of the diskettes that make it stand out, but whatever it is I think it would look great in a home office or man cave.

Diskette coffee table
Diskette coffee table

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Furniture inspired by floppy disks do not get any better than this coffee table that has not only been inspired by also made to look like a 3.5″ Diskette as well! The best bit about these is that you can buy one for yourself via the link, but they are a touch expensive. As a little bonus, they do come with a hidden compartment behind the sliding lock mechanism of the diskette for hiding things like remotes and other often lost items.

Author: Gus Barge

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