Dispose of Knives Safely

When getting rid of knives, you want to make sure you take safety precautions. Even dull blades can cause cuts, putting anyone handling the knife at risk. Before disposing of a knife, make sure to wrap it securely to avoid injury. Then, choose a disposal method.

Steps

Wrapping the Knives

1. Use bubble wrap. If you're going to throw your knife away, bubble wrap is your best option. This safely coats the blade, preventing injury and accident during disposal.
   • You might want to wrap the knife in butcher paper first. Then, wrap the knife in a few layers of bubble wrap.
   • If necessary, wrap a layer of duct tape around the bubble wrap to keep it secure.
2. Try cardboard. You should consider adding an additional layer of cardboard when disposing of a knife. Place it in an old shoebox or other cardboard container before throwing it out. This may also be effective if you plan on donating the knife.
3. Make use of other materials. If you do not have cardboard or bubble wrap, you can use newspaper, old clothes, or any material you can easily wrap around the blade. Simply wrap the knife in a few layers of your chosen materials. If necessary, wrap some tape around the material to keep the knife in place.

Choosing a Disposal Method

1. Place the wrapped knife in a cardboard box and throw it away. If you're intent on throwing away the knife, place it in a box before throwing it out. Make sure to seal the box with duct tape before tossing it in the garbage. This minimizes the risk of injury to your garbage person.
2. Recycle the knife. If your local recycling center accepts metal, you can recycle a knife. If you're unsure about your recycling center's policies, call during business hours and ask. Make sure your knives are wrapped and secure before recycling them.
3. Contact a professional knife-sharpener. Even if you no longer have use for the knife, it may be worth your time to contact a professional knife-sharpener. Check the yellow pages and the internet to see if you can find a knife-sharpener in your area. A knife-sharpener may be interested in purchasing an old knife as it can be repurposed and used in repairs.
4. Consider donation. You might also want to donate the knife. Even if the blade is dull, someone may be interested in purchasing it to sharpen and re-use. Check with local businesses like Goodwill and the Salvation Army to see if they take knives as donations.
5. Sell it for scrap metal. Try to figure out what kind of metal your knife is made out of. Most knives are made of steel, iron, or some mixture of metals. Depending on the metal type, you may be able to sell it for scrap. Look online or in your yellow pages and make some phone calls. See if anyone is interested in buying your old knife for scrap.

Tips

• Avoid leaving knives exposed anywhere while awaiting disposal, such as on the curb.

Warnings

• Prevent children from finding and handling the knives during all stages of disposal.

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Sources and Citations

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• Select Quality Kitchen Knives