How To Dispose Of Old Pots And Pans Correctly

Well-worn cookware is one of many things you'll end up with after years and years of cooking. Think of your dented frying pan and super scratched-up pot as battle scars or even trophies — proof that you cooked your heart out and enjoyed every moment you spent with each piece. But if it's time to say "out with the old and in with the new," and you are wondering how to dispose of old pots and pans correctly, consider donating, upcycling, or flat-out recycling them. This makes for a far better option for you over tossing them in the garbage.

Donating is an easy place to start, and you have lots of options for doing so. If you have some cookware that's still in relatively decent shape, consider gifting it to any college-aged kids you might know. They'll be thankful to have something to cook ramen in, for sure. Likewise, cookware is a fantastic — and often underlooked — item to donate to local organizations as an alternative to thrift store donations (although that is a valid option, too). These organizations include places like shelters, assisted living facilities, and local schools. Those groups need to cook daily, and having some extra cookware in relatively good shape can help them stay cooking for longer.

One of our favorite solutions for pretty much anything is upcycling, and we definitely have a few ways to repurpose pots and pans to use in your house and garden. If you have some veteran cookware you just can't part with, you can definitely breathe new life into each piece and keep them around for longer. Upcycling is also a great way to keep items out of a landfill, and to offer clever new solutions to you that don't cost you a dime.

For example, you could turn an old pot into an indoor planter for herbs, or as a rustic flower planter outdoors. Most metal has a timeless look that will add a nice touch to your garden, plus it's durable enough to withstand most weather. Just make sure you drill a hole at the bottom so the plants have drainage. Alternatively, you could turn your old pots and pans into an avant-garde art project for a patio wall, and paint them up with bold colors.

Another great use is storage, especially for garages, sheds, or workshops. A pot with tall sides will easily hold a ton of nails, drill bits, and other rugged odds and ends. Plus, the metal design is plenty durable, making it ideal for long-lasting storage. Likewise, we know plenty of clever ways to repurpose old pot and pan lids around your home and garden, so they won't go to waste, either.

Sometimes a busted old pot is just a busted old pot. No amount of polish or upcycling can possibly redeem its cracks and scrapes, and it is officially time to say goodbye. If that's the case, you can simply opt to recycle your cookware, no matter what material it is made of. Again, it's better than condemning it to a landfill.

We should note, however, that many curbside recycling programs have their own strict list of items they will and will not accept, so you will need to consult your local program before chucking your old pans into your recycling bin. If yours will take cookware (whether it is metal or glass), simply place any you are done with in your bin on recycling day, and voila. Problem solved. If your recycling company does not take cookware, however, you can likely take yours to a nearby scrap metal facility, which you can find options for via the Earth911 website.