Recycle

Where to Recycle a stainless steel pot or pan?

“What is the best way to recycle a stainless steel pot or pan.  I am asking about a pan that has a little bit of rust on the bottom, on the inside where you would place your food to cook.” – Stainless Recycling Record

What a good question for Where Can I Wednesday, Stainless Recycling Record!

Where to Recycle Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

There are a few reasons to get rid of old pots and pans. Maybe you moved. Maybe you got a roommate. Maybe you got rid of a roommate. Or just have shiny new pans. (I’m loving my new cast iron skillet…)

If your stainless steel pots and pans are in decent shape, it’s a good idea to donate or reuse. Between Craigslist, Freecycle, Facebook Buy Nothing Project and thrift stores, there are people who will take old cooking ware with a few scratches off your hands.

If your pans are rusty or in poor condition, you’ll want to consider recycling next.

Stainless steel pots and pans can’t be put in single-stream recycling bins.

Instead, you can drop it off at a metal recycler. Not sure where there’s a metal recycler? Good news, we did a previous recycling post on that!

As a last resort, (sadly) throw it in the trash.

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Recent Posts

How Louis Bartholomew supports greening efforts in Queen Village

Read about how our latest Civic Catalyst advocates for and supports greening efforts in Queen…

19 hours ago

Climate action updates, EPA deregulation, new gardens, & more

Check out the latest sustainability news: Office of Sustainability releases 2025 Climate Action Update. OSS…

6 days ago

A bird-a-thon without birdwatching? For blind birders, it’s all about sound

From Malvern to Massachusetts, the first blind birding event showed accessibility in action. Chester County…

7 days ago

How Fishtown neighbors organized for a pedestrian safety win

More than 500 residents advocated for change, leading to 40% longer crosswalk times on Girard…

1 week ago

Protecting community gardens, PA’s green energy package & more

Check out the latest sustainability news: City Council votes to protect one of the city’s…

2 weeks ago

Mayor Parker’s $2 Billion H.O.M.E. plan to tackle housing & climate change

Here’s how the city plans to retrofit the aging housing stock and support existing repair…

2 weeks ago