How To Dispose of Old Kitchen Knives

Good knives will cut, chop, slice, and dice for a long time if cared for properly. They should be washed by hand, stored in a dedicated place, and kept sharp to ensure a long lifespan in your kitchen. Even a dull blade can be salvaged with a knife sharpener if needed.

Though sometimes, sadly, your knives can be beyond rescue, or you may want to upgrade to a newer, higher-quality blade. If this is where you find yourself, you’ll need to figure out how to get rid of your knife. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to dispose of a knife safely, including different methods.

How to Know When Your Knife Needs Replacing?

There are several signs to look out for when figuring out when to replace your knives.

If you’ve decided that your knives need replacing, there are many ways to dispose of them. 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. Now, let’s dive into the different ways to dispose of knives.

Should You Sell Your Knives?

Demand for good quality second-hand goods is always high for thrifty folks, so making a few extra dollars on your used items may be a good idea. If you have cared for your knives and are simply looking to upgrade, your much-loved knives with sharp enough blades could fetch a high selling price on online marketplaces – and you won’t even have to leave your home to make the sale.  

Can You Donate Your Knives?

If selling isn’t the path you want to take when choosing how to dispose of a knife blade, donating them to a worthy recipient might interest you. Many charitable organisations, non-profits, or start-up kitchens are always looking for donations providing the goods are well loved but still in a useable condition. Alternatively, a friend or family member may be willing to take them out of your hands, or a student moving out of home for the first time could start their home cooking journey with them.

Should You Recycle Your Knives?

If you feel your knives are beyond repair, recycling is a great way to dispose of knives responsibly. This doesn’t mean it’s not okay to throw it in your wheelie bin with your other household recyclables. Instead, contact your local council or government to find out if there is a scrap metal recycling centre nearby. Upon taking your knives to the appropriate place, your knives can be added to a scrap heap and recycled properly and safely.

How To Throw Away Knives?

If selling, donating, or recycling your knives is not suitable, your last option is to throw them away. But remember, throwing them away safely is important so that you, or those handling your rubbish, do not get injured. 

Alternatively, bubble wrap provides a good layer of protection from the knife blade instead of newspaper. You could wrap your unwanted knives in old clothes as a last resort. However, clothes can unfold, and it’s not always apparent that a knife has been wrapped inside. We recommend that you secure it with tape and leave the handle exposed. Always attach a note with a disclaimer that a knife is inside to avoid serious injuries. 

What Now?

With your knives safely sold, donated, recycled, or thrown away, you can now start to think about replacing them with a brand new knife or knife block so you can get back into the kitchen and start cooking delicious meals again.