If you buy durable, non-toxic cookware you can often expect it to last a lifetime.
But old cheap pans can scratch or break, which can cause harmful PFOA, PFAS, or PTFE to leach into your food. At this point, they need to be replaced.
Because only around 5% of curbside recycling programs in the U.S. accept scrap metal like cookware, you need to know how to dispose of your old cookware responsibly, to stop it from ending up in a landfill
In this guide, I will explain the challenges caused by the materials used in some pots and pans, and explain the recycling options that are available in 2024.
Contents
Old cookware comes in various different materials, and when the materials are mixed it makes them harder to process. For example, a frying pan might combine metal, non-stick coatings, and plastic handles.
This construction makes cookware hard to recycle because each material often needs a separate recycling process.
There are currently no technologies available to recycle the fluoropolymer coatings from cookware. The plastic fractions like handles are typically incinerated, landfilled, or thermally destructed during metal recycling.
Throughout their life, pots and pans are frequently exposed to food, oils, and sometimes chemicals.
Any such residue can contaminate the recycling process, so they need cleaning before recycling which can be labor-intensive.
Not all scrap metal recycling centers can handle cookware. This is due to the special equipment needed for different materials, and it means that many places might not accept them at all.
Recycling cookware is not always economically viable. The cost of separating and processing materials often exceeds the value of the recycled materials.
Money talks, and the lack of profit potential often discourages recycling programs from accepting certain items.
Despite the complexities, if you have old cookware that is no longer usable, you do have some options to recycle them.
TerraCycle's Zero Waste Box program allows you to recycle old cookware of any type. This service involves purchasing a box, filling it with your old cookware, and returning it to TerraCycle for recycling.
You can get the Kitchen Zero Waste Box at Earth Hero, where it's usually cheaper.
Local scrap metal facilities may accept old cookware, especially if it's predominantly metal. Before taking your cookware there, contact the facility to confirm if they accept kitchen items, including those with non-metal components or coatings.
They may ask you to remove plastic components first.
You can use the Earth911 search facility to find local recycling programs in your area.
These contain iron, are typically magnetic, and are prone to rust. Examples include cast iron and carbon steel.
If you're unsure whether your cookware is made from ferrous metal, simply use a magnet. If it stick, it's ferrous.
These do not contain iron and are not magnetic. Examples include aluminum, copper, and brass. Non-ferrous metals are more resistant to corrosion and lighter, making them ideal for reuse in products like beverage cans, electrical wiring, and pipes.
The distinction affects recycling processes because non-ferrous metals generally have higher resale values due to their corrosion resistance and other desirable properties.
Recyclers often separate ferrous and non-ferrous because each has different uses, and some only accept one type or the other.
This preparation ensures that your cookware is properly recycled, minimizing contamination and improving recycling efficiency.
If your old kitchenware is still usable, it probably doesn't need to be recycled. Why not donate it to a good cause or even sell it instead?
Goodwill accepts cookware to sell in its thrift and secondhand stores. Your donations help fund job training and community services.
You can easily locate the nearest donation center and find out their specific needs through their website: Goodwill Donation Site Locator.
The Salvation Army supports rehabilitation programs through sales of donated items like cookware.
You can schedule a home pickup or find nearby drop-off locations through their donation page: Salvation Army Donation Page.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores sell donated cookware to finance housing projects for families in need.
They provide a locator tool to find your closest ReStore here: Habitat for Humanity ReStore Locator.
Freecycle promotes the reuse of items by enabling people to give away things like cookware locally.
This platform is excellent for environmentally conscious disposal. Join or browse your local group here: Freecycle Network.
Craigslist offers a flexible platform for selling or giving away cookware locally. You can list items under the "For Sale" or "Free" sections to connect directly with nearby buyers or recipients.
Visit Craigslist to post your cookware: Craigslist.
Most people simply don't know where to send their cookware for recycling. The sad result is that recyclable pans are often disposed of in mixed residential waste streams and lost to incineration or landfill.
This is a massive waste and can be avoided if we simply dispose of old kitchen items more responsibly.
Also, when you buy a new piece of cookware, make sure you consider what it's made from.
You've seen how synthetic polymer coatings like Teflon make recycling extremely difficult, and they can even leach harmful chemicals into your food.
If you need to buy new cookware for your new home or to replace old items, I recommend choosing non-toxic cookware brands.
They often come with a lifetime guarantee, so it's likely they'll never need to be recycled - and they're far better for your health.
