Thousands of counterfeit DVDs and CDs seized from rogue traders in Leicestershire have been donated to a charity which will grind them down and recycle them.
The 4,000 discs were seized by the trading standards team at Leicestershire County Council in a series of raids in the past two years.
They would normally be destroyed, however, the authority has decided to give them a new lease of life by donating them to a registered charity.
On Friday, they were handed to Planet Zero, which will break them down and recycle them as bottles or mobile phone cases.
Councillor Joe Orson, cabinet member for trading standards, said: "Counterfeiting is a crime and it's great to see that a worthwhile cause will benefit from our work to stamp out this problem."
David Bull, head of trading standards, said: "We will always take enforcement action against those who sell counterfeit goods, which can be unsafe and can cost jobs in local legitimate businesses."
The money raised from the sale of the recycled products will benefit a range of good causes overseen by the charity, including poverty relief, sport for disadvantaged children and sewing workshops for disabled people.
Mick Bonito, founder of Planet Zero, which also recycles unwanted clothing or sells it in its charity shops, said: "Our plastics recycling department is very busy at the moment granulating counterfeit CDs and DVDs.
"We would really like to thank Leicestershire trading standards for supporting our cause."
The trading standards team has also previously donated counterfeit designer clothing to charities which have sent them to developing countries to be distributed to the poor.
You can report anyone you believe is dealing in counterfeit goods by calling Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
Information can also be sent directly by email to the team at Leicestershire County Council at:
telltradingstandards@leics.gov.uk
Advice on the dangers from buying fake goods and tips on how to minimise the risk of buying fakes is available online at:
