Depending on the knife's condition, your current knives can be sold, donated, recycled, or thrown out. Regardless of which option you choose, always ensure your knife's blades won't cause anyone injury in the process. Knife blades are sharp, even dull knives, and can be a safety hazard if not carefully discarded.
If all else fails, your knives are destined for the trash
But, you shouldn't simply toss them into the can—that's dangerous. Start by wrapping your knives in several layers of newspaper. Then, find a piece of cardboard that's more than twice the depth of the blade.
Most waste disposal sites include a skip for scrap metal, where you can take blunt knives and other sharp kitchen implements.
For further safety, place the wrapped blade into a padded envelope, bubble wrap or plastic box – tape it all again, before labelling it “Caution Sharp Blade”. It can then be placed into the non-recyclable waste bin, along with your other rubbish.
Wondering if you can donate knives to Goodwill? The charity typically accepts the knives you keep in your kitchen, but can't take hunting knives off your hands for safety reasons. Some of these dangerous items have specific disposal methods, so check out the following tips to see how to get rid of them safely.
Many recyclable items have abysmally low rates of being recycled except for steel. According to the International Stainless Steel Forum, 80-90% of stainless steel is recycled. It can be recycled without degradation.
Handling a knife:
Secure your cutting board with a damp paper towel or non-slip mat. Do not use the knife while distracted. Do not leave the knife near the edge of counters or tables or in a sink full of soapy water. Use knives only for cutting food.
Soak in the Sink
Soaking a knife in the sink can cause all sorts of damage. It can cause high-carbon steels to rust. Wooden handles can swell and crack. If the knife is in the sink with other utensils, they can blunt or chip the edge.
One of the most common ways kitchen knives get dull is through friction while cutting. Any time you slice, chop, or crush food with your knife's edge, some microscopic bits of metal get rubbed off the blade. This abrasion gradually rounds off the sharp cutting edge through repeated use.
If you have knives that are still in working order, donating them can be your best option. Kiele-Jael Stanton, a certified health-supportive chef and wellness culinary coach, says, “If you have knives that you don't want anymore, you can donate them to companies like Goodwill, Salvation Army, or secondhand stores.”
There are a few regular knives that may hold well over time if thrown. Heavier knives work very well, given they do not bend with ease. Kitchen knives are usually stainless steel, but if at least 3mm thick, they work reasonably better than other knives. Old butcher knives are heavy-duty, cut down to around 6-8 inches.
Why does giving somebody a knife bring bad luck? According to tradition, this powerful object should not be given as a gift. On the one hand, the gift giver loses their power, and on the other hand, the knife's blade supposedely cuts the ties between the gift giver and the gift's receiver.
How to Safely Dispose of Kitchen Knives. Tape newspaper around the blade, and then tape a piece of cardboard around it as well. Put the knives in a cardboard box, and they're safe to put in your trash bin. Alternatively, take the old knives to a waste collection site, a recycling center, or a donation center.
You can put the knives in your bin. It is advisable to ensure that they are packaged securely so as not to cause injury to any persons.
It's crucial not to sharpen your knife too frequently or apply excessive pressure, as this can cause the blade to become thin and brittle.
Never place knives at the edge of counter tops or tables. 4. Never leave knives in soapy water in the sink. This is a bad habit that easily leads to accidents.
The chef's knife, also known as a cook's knife is ideal for slicing, chopping, and mincing both meats and vegetables.
To eat most things, hold the knife in your dominant hand (usually right) with your index finger on top, extending over the handle. Your other fingers are curled around the handle. Hold the larger fork in your other hand with tines pointing down, and your index finger extending down the handle on the top.
Cutlery in good condition can be donated to charity for reuse. Wooden disposable cutlery can be placed in a garden waste collection to be composted. Metal cutlery that is of no further use can be recycled with scrap metal at household waste recycling centres - find your nearest below.
Most metals are absolutely recyclable, and you can mix them into the same single stream recycling bin. Aluminum cans, steel food cans, or aerosol containers can all go in the same bin. However, stainless steel is an exception that should not be placed in your curbside bin.
Many items such as cookware, glasses and vases can be taken to charity for reuse if in good condition. Otherwise, please dispose of in the appropriate container at your nearest recycling centre.. These types can't be recycled so please put them in your black bin.