What to Do with Old Cooking Pots and Pans: A Recycling Guide
This post was last updated in 2023
Are you wondering what to do with your old, worn-out cooking pots and pans? You know they are made from metal and you’d hate to see that go to waste?
Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always as simple as tossing them into your recycling bin. But there are options available to you if you are interested in keeping these out of landfill.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of recycling pots and pans and provide answers to the following questions:
Can Cooking Pots and Pans Go in the Recycling Bin?
Old cooking pots and pans typically can not go in your household recycling bin. However that does not mean they need to go in landfill – many are made from recyclable materials like steel, aluminium, iron and copper, which scrap metal yards will happily accept for recycling.
No matter what condition.
Case in point – SIMs Metals (one of the largest scrap metal collectors worldwide) said they would accept damaged pots and pans. And I tested it out by taking this poor item down to their scrap yard:
Case in point – SIMs Metals (one of the largest scrap metal collectors worldwide) said they would accept damaged pots and pans. And I tested it out by taking this poor item down to their scrap yard:
And they took it. They gave me no money for it if course, but they took it.
Many will claim that you need to know what your pots and pans are made from as that will determine whether or not your item can be recycled.
That is true, to the extent that they need to be made mainly of metal. So ceramics, earthenware and stoneware can not be recycled.
That aside, it really doesn’t matter what the pots and pans are made from. Steel, copper, aluminium, cast iron and carbon steel cookware can be recycled at most scrap metal yards.
They will ensure they are melted, recycled and given another life – these are highly valued commodities and it’s worth getting them recycled.
And as confirmed by one of the largest scrap metal recyclers out there (SIMS metals), it does not matter if the pans are covered in ceramic or non-stick coatings. As long as the majority of the item is made from metal, they’ll take it.
And if you’re not sure, give your local scrap metal yard a call or pay them a visit. They will be able to tell you whether or not they can take your old pots and pans.
So while you could put pots and pans in the bin, the best way to dispose of pots and pans in Australia is to take them to a scrap metal yard. They will take your items and ensure they are recycled.
Note: Some councils may offer collection services for objects made from metals – white goods, electronics, appliances etc. Although not always explicitly stated, we can assume these items are taken to a scrap metal recycler. Check if your council offers these services. Not many do.
And be aware – the council pick services for hard rubbish is not a recycling service. If you leave your pots and pans to be collected as part of a bulk rubbish pick-up, they will be thrown into a truck, crushed and dumped into landfill, like everything else left on the side of the road for council pick-ups.
Why Can't Pots and Pans Be Recycled?
Pots and pans can not be recycled through household recycling bins mainly because of their size – the equipment in Material Sorting Facilities is not designed to sort through items like this. Also, these items are made from a variety of materials, some of which can pose challenges for traditional recycling facilities.
Only pure steel and aluminium can be recycled through our household recycling bins.
And pots and pans are rarely made purely from these metals. There are variations.
Aluminum pans in particular are coated with various substances to make them nonstick. And some are made from layers and layers of different metals (you can’t see it – very thin, unnoticeable layers).
And if you But scrap metal collectors can deal with these issues and ensure pots and pans made from various materials are recycled. Their only condition is that the items need to be made mainly from metal.
Scrap metal yards have the equipment needed to deal with the challenges mentioned. They can take on items of various shapes and sizes, they can easily determine the material type and they are set up to recycle or process a variety of metals, no matter what condition they are in.
So make use of this service.
So make use of this service.
Refer to this blog post for more information on scrap metal yards and where to find one near you: Recycling Household Metallic Objects – A Complete Guide
What Can I Do with Old Saucepan Lids?
Old saucepan lids can be repurposed creatively. Consider using them as improvised covers for mixing bowls or even as unique wall decorations. Otherwise, if they’re made mainly of metal, take them to a scrap metal yard for recycling.
If they are made from glass, I’m afraid it’s not the type of glass that can be recycled. Saucepan lids are typically made from tempered glass and tempered glass can not be recycled – not by any traditional means at least.
The next best option is to find someone that may need them (try friends, family or Marketplace). Or if they are beyond use, see if there is a community group or a school nearby that would have some use in arts and crafts projects.
Or you could use them in your own crafting project:
Failing that, glass lids will need to go to landfill. But metallic lids can go to the scrap metal yard.
Are Metal Baking Trays Recyclable?
Metal baking trays, such as those used for cookies or roasting, are often made from aluminium or steel. For that reason, it may be possible to put them in your household recycling bin. However, to play it safe it is best to take them to a scrap metal yard for recycling.
Because these pans are typically made from purely aluminium or steel and they are lighter than pots and pans, these trays could be recycled through your household recycling bin. However, I would contact your council directly to confirm this.
I contacted my council and I was advised it could not go in the recycling bin.
I was also advised they should go into landfill – I don’t agree with that! And it has me wondering if their advice about baking trays is grounded in a deep knowledge of how the sorting process works 
Still, I’m not going to ignore the main advice, which is to leave it out of the recycling bin.
I also checked the resources noted below and unfortunately, they are annoying quiet on what to do with metal baking trays.
So to play it safe, take them to a scrap metal yard. They will make sure the item is melted and reused.
I’m sure it would be tempting to throw these items away. They can’t go in the household recycling bin so landfill seems to be the best option – especially if they are worn out and of no use.
However metals are so valuable – they are close to 100% recyclable and can be recycled again and again without losing too much of their quality, significantly reducing the need to extract further metals from the ground to create new products.
So consider taking these items to your local scrap metal yard – there is bound to be one near you. And who knows, you might make a couple of bucks from it (maybe!).
It is through these conscious actions, we can collectively work towards a more sustainable future 
.
.
xxx Tahsin
Related questions
What Bin Does an Old Pot and Pans Go In?
Old pots and pans can avoid the bin entirely – they don’t go in your household recycling bin and they don’t need to go into your landfill bin. They can be taken to a scrap metal yard for recycling, provided it is mainly made from metals and not too badly damaged.
Can I put frying pans in the recycling bin?
Yes, frying pans can typically be recycled – but these items can not go into your household recycling bin even if they are made from steel. They don’t need to go into any bin, for that matter. If your pans are made mainly of metal, take them to a scrap metal yard for recycling.
Ensure they are relatively clean and not very badly damaged.
Ensure they are relatively clean and not very badly damaged.
If you are from a capital city around Australia, you can find a list of scrap metal recyclers here: Recycling Household Metallic Objects – A Complete Guide
Can You Put Steel Pots in Recycling?
Yes, steel pots can be recycled – but these items can not go into your household recycling bin even if they are made from steel. Take your stainless steel and carbon steel pots to a scrap metal yard for recycling. Ensure they are relatively clean and not very badly damaged.
If you are from a capital city around Australia, you can find a list of scrap metal recyclers here: Recycling Household Metallic Objects – A Complete Guide
Mind you, steel pots are made to last, so make sure you consider all reuse options before going down the recycling route.
Can Stainless Steel Pans Be Recycled?
Absolutely! Stainless steel pans are highly recyclable – but these items can not go into your household recycling bin even if they are made from steel. Take your stainless steel pans to a scrap metal yard for recycling. Ensure they are relatively clean and not very badly damaged.
Mind you, stainless steel pans are made to last, so make sure you consider all reuse options before going down the recycling route.
If your pan needs a good clean, here’s a helpful video:
And if you are from a capital city around Australia, you can find a list of scrap metal recyclers here: Recycling Household Metallic Objects – A Complete Guide
Are Cast Iron Pots Recyclable?
Yes, cast iron pots can be recycled. However, they can not go in your household recycling bin. They will need to be taken to a scrap metal yard for recycling. But again, these items are made to last. While they may look damaged, a good clean can revive them.
Give this a go and consider donating before recycling.
Give this a go and consider donating before recycling.
Here’s a helpful video on restoring your cast iron pan:
If you are from a capital city around Australia, you can find a list of scrap metal recyclers here: Recycling Household Metallic Objects – A Complete Guide
Is Cast Steel Recyclable?
Yes, cast steel is recyclable. Like stainless steel, cast steel is a ferrous metal that can be melted down and repurposed. However don’t place these in your household recycling bin – take them to a scrap metal yard for recycling.
Before you do, try to revive the pan, using the tips in this video:
If you are from a capital city around Australia, you can find a list of scrap metal recyclers here: Recycling Household Metallic Objects – A Complete Guide
Can Aluminium Lids Be Recycled?
Yes, aluminium lids from saucepans and other cookware is usually recyclable. Rinse off any food residue and take them to your scrap metal yard for recycling. Do not put them in your household recycling bin.
Although… this one is tempting to put into the yellow recycling bin I have to admit! Lids are lighter than pots and pans, so they should go through the conveyor belt with ease.
And it should be able to go through the section where steel and aluminium are separated – it’s light enough to fly into the next steps with all of its other light weighted metallic friends.
But I don’t know for sure. Councils and companies that run Material Recovery facilities are silent on the subject of aluminium lids. But it is a question I will be asking next time I go to visit a Materials Recovery Facilities. Will update here once I do.
