“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.