How do you get rid of kitchen knives?

Author: Dr. Heather Lind  |  Last update: Monday, May 12, 2025

Another acceptable option to consider when thinking about how to dispose of old knives and utility blades is recycling. These sharp objects can't be placed in the recycling bin you put out on the curb each week, though. Instead, knives should be taken to a scrap metal recycling center.

How to dispose of kitchen knives properly?

Use a Hard Container: Place the wrapped knives in a sturdy container, such as a plastic or metal box. Label the container clearly as ``sharp objects'' to warn others. Trash Disposal: Once securely wrapped and contained, you can dispose of the knives in your regular trash.

Can I put old kitchen knives in the bin?

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. With the introduction of wheelie bins everything is done by machine so that likelihood of injury has been vastly reduced.

How do I dispose of kitchen knives near me?

The recommended method is to wrap the knife in several layers of newspaper or cardboard, secure it with tape, and label it as “sharp objects” or “kitchen knives” to alert waste management personnel. Additionally, you can contact your local recycling centre or municipal waste management facility for specific guidelines.

Can you donate kitchen knives to Goodwill?

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.

Kitchen Knives: How to Purchase, Sharpen & Hone, and Dispose

Who takes old kitchen knives?

These sharp objects can't be placed in the recycling bin you put out on the curb each week, though. Instead, knives should be taken to a scrap metal recycling center. You can contact your county or city government or visit their websites to determine if there is a nearby scrap metal recycling center.

What won't Goodwill take?

Items Goodwill does not accept
  • Large exercise equipment.
  • Chairs, stools, or couches.
  • Mattresses or bed frames.
  • Desks or office furniture.
  • Tables.
  • Dressers or bookcases.
  • Pianos or organs.
  • CRT TVs.

Where can I get rid of my kitchen knives?

Check with your local recycling centre or civic amenity site first that they can recycle the desired items. Most waste disposal sites include a skip for scrap metal, where you can take blunt knives and other sharp kitchen implements.

Do magazines go in recycling?

Answer: Many different kinds of paper can be recycled, including white office paper, newspaper, colored office paper, cardboard, white computer paper, magazines, catalogs, and phone books.

Do knife bins work?

While Police agencies have observed some reductions in reports of knife crime during and after these amnesties, the effects are usually only short term. There is limited evidence that these amnesties are effective, other than raising awareness of the issues, although campaigners argue they do make a difference.

Do charity shops take kitchen knives?

You might also find that some local charity shops take knives. Please call ahead before you visit them though.

What not to do with a knife in the kitchen?

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.

What is the best knife sharpener?

Let's Cut to the Chase: The Best Knife Sharpeners
  • Shun Cutlery Combination Whetstone. ...
  • Smith's CCKS 2-Step Knife Sharpener. ...
  • AccuSharp 001C Knife Sharpener. ...
  • Work Sharp Professional Electric Culinary E5 Kitchen Knife Sharpener. ...
  • Homly Professional Electric Knife Sharpener.

Can you put knives in household waste?

Secure this with strong tape to ensure that the blade stays well wrapped. 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.

Why should you never leave a knife in a full sink?

Moisture Is Your Knife's Natural Enemy

Setting physical damage and contamination aside, leaving your knives in the sink exposes them to a hidden enemy: moisture. Even if your knives are crafted from stainless steel, prolonged submersion in water can lead to discoloration.

Do you put knives in the sink?

Reaching into murky water filled with sharp edges is also a bad idea. 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.

What are the three types of paper that cannot be recycled?

Types of Paper that cannot be recycled using a standard recycling process:
  • Coated Paper.
  • Treated paper.
  • Paper with food waste.
  • Juice Boxes.
  • Cereal Boxes.
  • Paper Cups.
  • Paper Towels.
  • Paper laminated with plastic.

Should I throw out my magazines?

Recycling a magazine when it's no longer needed is the best way to dispose of old magazines. While magazines are treated with certain additives to make the pages look glossy, they can be recycled with your normal paper products. Never throw old magazines into the bin, even if it's in a poor condition.

How to dispose of old yearbooks?

Since there is nothing toxic in yearbooks, they can be placed into the regular trash if you don't want to take the time to separate the recyclable pages from the rest. Yearbooks, like any other possession, should be kept only if they are adding value to your life.

Can I throw knives in the garbage?

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.

How do I dispose of old knives near me?

Drop-off Locations:
  • Los Angeles County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events.
  • Los Angeles County Environmental Permanent Collection Centers.
  • City of Los Angeles SAFE Centers.
  • Los Angeles County Dept. ...
  • County of Los Angeles Sheriff Stations.
  • Pharmaceutical and Sharps Waste Stewardship - CalRecycle Home Page.

Does the Salvation Army take kitchen knives?

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.”

Why is Goodwill not a good place to donate?

Because Goodwill doesn't want a lot of your stuff. Goodwill can't resell your old t-shirt with the stains on it just because it has sentimental value to you. In 2020, Goodwills in Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire alone threw away 13 million pounds of donations that they received because they could not resell it.

What does Goodwill do with clothes they Cannot sell?

Sold To Salvage Buyers

Salvage buyers will buy whatever is left over from the outlets in bulk, and then either re-sell, recycle or export clothes to buyers overseas. Local Goodwills will work directly with salvage buyers since they don't manage the overseas shipping process.

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