Dispose Of Old Teflon Pans: Eco-Friendly Ways

Teflon pans are made with a non-stick coating called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which was once made with a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) – a human carcinogen. If your non-stick pan is flaking, it's best to recycle it. Most local recycling programs won't take cookware, but there are other options. You can donate your pans to a second-hand store or give them to families in need. Alternatively, you can send them to TerraCycle, an upcycling service that collects waste. If your pans are made of stainless steel or cast iron, you can take them to a local scrap metal recycler.

Donate to a secondhand store

If your Teflon pans are still usable, you can donate them to a secondhand store. Goodwill and the Salvation Army are two examples of national retailers that will accept donations of pots, pans, plates, and silverware. Goodwill Industries, for example, accepts cookware that is clean and in good, usable condition. Local Goodwill organizations have their own specific donation policies, so be sure to check those before donating. If your pans are not in usable condition, you can look into recycling them.

Give to a household waste facility

If you're looking to dispose of your old Teflon pans, one option is to give them to a household waste facility that will recycle them on your behalf. This is a safe and eco-friendly way to get rid of your old pans, as the metals can be removed and used for other things.

To do this, simply gather your old pans and take them to your local household waste facility. You may need to provide proof of residency or pay a small fee, so be sure to check with your local facility before you go.

Once you arrive at the facility, let the staff know that you have old pans to recycle. They will likely ask you to place the pans in a designated area or bin. Be sure to follow any other instructions they may have for properly disposing of the pans.

It's worth noting that not all household waste facilities are equipped to handle the recycling of non-stick pans. The non-stick coating, typically made of a polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), can be challenging to remove. As a result, some facilities may not have the capacity to recycle these items in a cost-effective way.

However, don't let this deter you from properly disposing of your old pans. If your local facility cannot accept them, you can consider other options, such as national recycling programs or mail-back services offered by some companies. These programs are designed to collect and recycle large volumes of used cookware, ensuring that your old pans are given a new life.

Send to TerraCycle

If you're looking to get rid of old Teflon pans, one of the best options is to send them to TerraCycle, an organisation that specialises in accepting and repurposing hard-to-recycle materials. They offer a Kitchen Separation Zero Waste Box, which can be filled with almost any kitchen item you wish to recycle, including metal-based cookware, bakeware, and cutlery. This includes non-stick aluminium, stainless steel, carbon steel, and cast iron.

To use this service, simply sign up for an account with TerraCycle and box up any items that qualify. They will then create a shipping label for you to send your items off via UPS. The cost starts at $109 and includes return shipping and processing. TerraCycle will then clean and smelt the items into metal sheeting, ingots, or bar stock, which will be made into new products like nuts, bolts, washers, and rings.

This is a convenient, eco-friendly way to dispose of your old Teflon pans, ensuring that they are repurposed into something new instead of ending up in a landfill. It's also a free and easy process, making it a great option for those looking to upgrade their cookware in a sustainable manner.

By sending your old Teflon pans to TerraCycle, you can play your part in reducing waste and giving new life to items that might otherwise have been discarded. So, if you're looking for a responsible way to get rid of your old pans, TerraCycle is definitely worth considering!

Drop off at a donation centre

If your Teflon pans are still usable, you can drop them off at a donation centre. Donation centres such as Goodwill and Salvation Army accept donations of used kitchenware, including pans. You can also contact organisations in your area that work with homeless families or refugees, as they may need gently-used housewares for people setting up new homes.

If your pans are too worn to be donated, you can recycle them. TerraCycle and Calphalon have teamed up to create a cooking tools recycling program that accepts all brands of cookware. You can sign up for an account, box up your old pans, and they will create a shipping label for you to send your items off via UPS. Your old pans will be cleaned, processed, and melted down to create new products.

Alternatively, you can look for a local scrap metal recycler. They will take your old metal household items, and you may even make some money from them.

Recycle at a scrap metal facility

If your old Teflon pans are no longer usable, you can recycle them at a scrap metal facility. Here is some information on how to do this:

Finding a Scrap Metal Facility

Firstly, you need to find a scrap metal recycling facility near you that accepts Teflon-coated pans. You can do this by searching online for "scrap metal recycling near me" or by checking with your local sanitation department to see what your options are. It's important to call them beforehand to ask if they accept Teflon-coated pans, as not all recyclers do.

Preparing the Pans for Recycling

Before taking your old pans to the scrap metal facility, make sure they are clean and free of any food residue. You may also need to separate the pans by the type of metal they are made of, as some scrap metal recyclers only accept either ferrous or non-ferrous metals. A simple way to determine if your cookware is ferrous is to try holding a magnet to it. If the magnet sticks, it is ferrous metal. Common non-ferrous metals used in cookware include aluminum and copper, while stainless steel and cast iron are ferrous.

Dropping Off the Pans

Once you have found a suitable scrap metal facility and prepared your pans, you can take them to the facility during their operating hours. Some facilities may also offer pick-up services, so it's worth inquiring about this if you have a large number of pans to recycle. At the facility, you will typically need to provide your name, address, and the type of metal you are recycling. You may also need to show identification and sign a form releasing the facility from any liability for the materials you are dropping off.

Benefits of Recycling at a Scrap Metal Facility

Recycling your old Teflon pans at a scrap metal facility is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of them. The metals from your pans can be removed and used for other things, such as creating new products like nuts, bolts, washers, and rings. Additionally, you may even make a small amount of money from recycling your old pans, depending on the market value of the metal.

Frequently asked questions