How to Dispose of Knives Safely

Whether you’re upgrading your knife set or replacing a broken blade, we know that it can be a hassle when it’s time to toss out the old ones. You can’t just throw your knives in the garbage as is since they could still cut through the bag or injure someone. Luckily, there are still a few ways you can get rid of any type of knife without risking anyone’s safety. We’ll let you know about the best places to throw away your old knives no matter what they’re made of or the condition they’re in!

1

Regular trash pick-up

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    If you wrap your knives, you can usually put them in your trash. Contact your waste management service to see if you’re allowed to put knives in the trash. Wrap a few layers of newspaper around each knife to keep the sharp edges covered. Then fold a piece of cardboard that’s the length of the blade around each knife and tape it closed. Place the knives in another box or container before putting it with your regular trash. That way, anyone who handles your garbage won’t get hurt.[1]
    • Don’t forget to tape the cardboard closed, or else your knife could easily slip out.
    • Write “SHARP” on the cardboard to let sanitation workers know they should be careful handling the container.[2]
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2

Waste collection site

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    Take your knives directly to the facility if they aren’t allowed in the bin. Wrap each knife in a layer of newspaper and cardboard, and tape it closed so the sharp edges aren't exposed. Take the knives directly to your nearest collection site and let the workers know that you’re throwing away a knife. They will take the knives from you and make sure they're handled safely.[3]
    • Some cities charge a disposal fee when you drop your knives off, but it’s usually free if you live in the area.
3

Recycling center

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    Recycling your knives ensures the materials get reused. Start by wrapping up your old knives in pieces of newspaper and cardboard so the blades don't pose any risk. Check online to see if there are any metal recyclers or recycling facilities in your area that accept knives. Drop the knives off at the center so they get sorted and repurposed properly.[4]
    • You cannot put knives in a recycling bin for curbside collection.
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4

Police station

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    Most police stations accept knives to keep them out of the wrong hands. Call your local police station ahead of time and ask if they take old knives. If they do, wrap each knife in paper and cardboard so it doesn’t look like you’re walking in with weapons and to keep the cutting edges covered. Hand the knives over to the officers on duty so they can take them to a safe disposal site.[5]
    • You can take any type of knife to a police station, but ask ahead of time if you’re getting rid of a large knife, such as a machete.
    • Even if your police station doesn’t take knives, they’ll tell you of a few other places where you can safely get rid of them.
5

Collection bins

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    Check online to see if your area has secure drop-off bins for old knives. Note the locations of the nearest box and take your old blades there. Push your knives into the slot on the box and drop them inside the container. Your knives will stay secure in the box until an official collects and disposes of them.[6]
    • Collection bins are good for any type of knife that fits through the slot.
    • You do not need to wrap your knives before putting them inside the bins.
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6

Scrap metal yard

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    Earn some money by selling metal knives for scrap. Check online to see if there are any scrap yards in your area and ask if they’ll take used knives. Take the blades to the scrapyard to drop them off and get a value assessment. Scrap yards accept any type of metal, but some knives may be more valuable than others.[7]
7

Resale

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    If your knives are in good condition, sell them off to someone else. Try selling your knives to people you know, or through online markets like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. If you’re not getting any hits online, check for knife sharpening shops near you since they buy knives to use as spare parts.[8]
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8

Donation

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    Thrift stores, charities, and shelters all accept kitchen knives. Call a few locations ahead of time and ask if they need any knife donations. Sharpen the blades beforehand so they’re nice and sharp for the next person using them. Then, wrap the knives’ blades in newspaper and cardboard so they’re less likely to cause an injury during transport. After that, take the knives directly to their new home![9]
    • Always wash your knives before giving them away.

Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    Should I put old sharp knives in land fill bins or recycle them?
    Mark Spelman
    Mark Spelman
    Construction Professional
    Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.
    Mark Spelman
    Mark Spelman
    Construction Professional
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    I would recycle them.
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Warnings

  • Never put your knives in the trash unwrapped since you could injure yourself or someone else.[10]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.reviewed.com/cooking/features/how-to-dispose-of-kitchen-knives-properly
  2. ↑ https://shnny.org/images/uploads/Dept-Sanitation-Recycling.pdf
  3. ↑ https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/DepHowDoI/material.aspx?tag=knives&material_key=56
  4. ↑ https://www.reviewed.com/cooking/features/how-to-dispose-of-kitchen-knives-properly
  5. ↑ https://bladeadvisor.com/how-to-dispose-of-knives/
  6. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-26141325
  7. ↑ https://www.americangr.com/how-to-dispose-of-kitchen-knives/
  8. ↑ https://www.americangr.com/how-to-dispose-of-kitchen-knives/
  9. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/good-question-c-9-26064
  1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/good-question-c-9-26064

About This Article

Mark Spelman
Co-authored by:
Mark Spelman
Construction Professional
This article was co-authored by Mark Spelman and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987. This article has been viewed 289,532 times.
15 votes - 99%
Co-authors: 7
Updated: August 25, 2021
Views: 289,532
Categories: Household Waste Disposal | Cooking Knives and Blades
Article SummaryX

Before disposing your knife, use bubble wrap to safely coat the blade. Then, place the knife in a cardboard box, such as an old shoebox, for additional protection. If you don't have bubble wrap or cardboard, try covering the blade with newspaper or old clothes before putting it in the trash. Instead of throwing the knife in the garbage, contact your local recycling center to find out if they recycle knives or consider donating the knife to a local business, like the Salvation Army. To learn how to contact a professional knife sharpener or how to sell your knife for scrap metal, read on!

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