Leinster

What happens to those old chains that have done their duty, and are just entering that "might be stretched, might not be stretched, may as well replace it anyway" area?

Mithrandir

I keep them. Because one day there will be a zombie apocalypse, and I figure that I won't much care about skips in the cassette at that point.

Elvo

They go into the dungeon/basement to lengthen the gimp's chain ever so slightly

Leinster

Do you use a quicklink on that? And if not, how do you make sure he stays asleep when breaking it to put the extra links in?

coolcamaro12

Keep them all as a trophy to show how many chains you have trashed?

svtmike

I retire them to my laboratory where I use them in scientific experiments involving wax.

johnny99

If your city recycling program doesn't take them, local bike shops may. Some bike shops can also recycle dead tires and tubes.

alexaschwanden

I replace my worn out chains, i just toss the old either to the bike shop or garbage can.

popeye

Old chains recycle just fine in the ground.

Pirkaus

Give to local artist who make the jewelry of which you spoke

TrojanHorse

I usually rotate a few different chains (deep clean at 1,000 miles, different cassettes etc) but once they hit the stretch measurement, I silence the children, don white gloves and reverently place my dear chain's exhausted and spent self right smack in the garbage can.

I always have at least one brand new chain on hand and usually 1-2 half-used chains. Love the one you're with, I say.

Ghazmh

I watch them majestically sail through the air making a gentle 30 degree arc as link after link rounds the lip of my garage trash can and disappears into eternity. That moment is quickly overshadowed by the joy of tearing into the box of my latest bike related purchase, a shiny newer and sexier chain.

Cyril 

You're single, aren't you?

I save mine because ...reasons.

RPK79

Trash them. I'm too lazy to clean up a chain that I'm replacing anyway.

Nachoman

Donate them to local S & M shop. They make them into whips and choke collars.

bbbean 

My off bike wardrobe is made entirely of old chains and brake cables.

velociraptor

I send mine back to the 1990's to be worn as jewelry.