The Safe And Easy Way To Throw Out Your Old Kitchen Knives

Few kitchen tools are more essential than good knives. However, it's the nature of anything used so regularly that, eventually, it'll wear down past the point of effectiveness. At some point, you'll have to get rid of some kitchen knives to make room for newer ones in better shape. The question is, how do you properly (and safely) dispose of kitchen knives? If a knife isn't usable and you need to throw it away, simply wrap newspaper around the blade and tape it. Then, fold cardboard over that and tape that too. Place this in a box or container and dispose of it. This method promises to avoid any further cuts and mishaps.

You can sharpen or hone a dull knife all you want to keep it efficient, but after a certain number of years, you'll begin to notice they're no longer sharp enough to slice and dice well. Dull knives can increase the risk of injury because of how much tougher they are to maneuver. There are more blatant signs your knives need replacing, too, like chips, bends and dents, rust, loose rivets, and broken handles. Of course, even if your knives haven't reached this point, you may have just treated yourself to a new set you've always wanted from one of the best kitchen knife brands. If you're replacing perfectly fine, simply older knives, you can always donate them; just be sure to call the charity shop, soup kitchen, or other donation center first to make sure they'll accept them.

Before you wrap your knives and place them in the garbage, it's a good idea to look up whether this is allowed where you live. It's okay to dispose of carefully wrapped knives in most places, but rules may vary. Additionally, check to see if your local recycling center accepts knives, considering they're metal. Some municipalities may even have specific programs for accepting scrap metal, including old knives, so it doesn't head for the landfill.

If you're in the clear, whether you recycle or throw your knives away, it's smart to label the box you place the wrapped blades in with what they are so people like sanitation department workers can be aware and take care. Remember, too, that these knives were used to cut all kinds of food. Be sure to give them a good clean to avoid possible pest issues when the garbage or recycling is taken out, and an even better clean if you are donating them.

Make sure you know your different types of knives, because material matters as well. Stainless steel knives are fine in the trash, but carbon steel blades may be considered hazardous waste, as the material can potentially give off harmful fumes. Call your local sanitation department to see what their protocol is. Knife disposal just takes a few minutes of research and a few steps for prep, from a good scrub to wrapping and labeling.