What's The Best Way To Dispose Of Old Knives? You've Likely Been Doing It Wrong

It's always exciting to get a brand-new set of kitchen knives — until it's time to get rid of the old ones. Now, if you've previously thrown knives into the trash without first checking if recycling is an option or taking safety precautions, then you were really doing it wrong. Sure, you could also take a less harmful route and stash them in a cabinet somewhere, then pretend they never existed. But here's a better way to dispose of old knives that are past their prime: recycling.  

The most sustainable and safe way to get rid of an old knife is to recycle it for scrap metal. In some locations, such as New York City, you can dispose of kitchen knives along with other regular recyclables. Otherwise, you can look for a local recycling center that accepts scrap metal. This way, the metal is melted down to be made into a new product instead of going to the landfill. Depending on the facility, you may need to find out what type of metal your knife is made of first. It's also essential to wrap the blade for safety purposes (although this applies no matter what you end up doing with an old knife).

When you dispose of a knife, it's important to wrap it up to avoid risky accidents. If the knife is going in the bin with your other recyclables, proper safety precautions are particularly important. Even dull blades are dangerous to the people who pick up and process your recycling — not to mention the person in your household who takes it to the curb.

Wrap the knife in newspaper and cardboard, using multiple layers of paper that are long enough to cover the entire blade. Then seal the paper sheath with tape. If it's not properly enclosed, the tip or edge of the knife could puncture through or slip out and hurt someone. Clearly mark the wrapped knife as a sharp object by labeling the cardboard, so that people know to handle it with care. As an extra precaution, you can also put the wrapped knife into a separate cardboard box. 

If your old knife is still in usable condition, consider donating or selling it. Knives are expensive, and a good used one can make someone's day. Before you roll up to the local charity or thrift store with an old knife in hand, call to make sure they accept them. You can also sell the knife on Facebook Marketplace for some extra cash or donate it to a local Buy Nothing group. If donating or selling the knife, be sure to clean it thoroughly first. 

How do you know if a knife is still usable? Persistent dullness is one safety concern that means it's time to replace your kitchen knives. If the blades are impossible to sharpen, the knives are past their useful service life and you should recycle them. On the other hand, if proper sharpening gets the blade back to its peak functionality, then the knife is worth keeping. 

Properly sharpening dull kitchen knives means using a knife sharpener or, ideally, a whetstone. Honing the blade with a steel rod is also important, but this process straightens the edge rather than truly sharpening it. Try both methods before you give up on your knives. Also, if you see any chipping or cracking on the blade, that's a clear sign that the knife is due for replacement. If the knife is beyond repair and you truly can't find any recycling options, you can throw your old knife into the trash, as long as you wrap it up safely.