Old saucepans?

Question

Can anyone tell me what to do with my old saucepans and frying pans? Age has finally got the better of them, and they are rusty on the inside. I want rid of them, but simply throwin them away seems incredibly un-environmentally friendly. They're too battered to sell, and I'm not sure whether they're recycleable.. Does anyone know of any charities which might make use of them?

Please, I dont want any suggestions, like the ones from one "helpful" person: 'Knit a fried egg and hang it from your wall' or 'make it into a bird bath'.

Answer 1

Try offering them on http://www.freecycle.org or http://www.craigslist.org

I've found that someone has a use for the most unusual things!

Answer 2

I live on a farm...we basically do not have waste pans.  I'm either using them as a drip catcher under a flower pot, or as a scoop for animal feed.  

I take it you have no small children who would love them for digging in the dirt with?

You say they are rusty on the inside?  Are they cast iron?  If so, DON'T TOSS THEM!  Even rusty cast iron can be saved!

I see old rusty cast iron donated to my local thrift store all the time, and being sold at outrageous prices....and being snapped up!  

If it's cast iron, email me, and I'll give you instructions and links on how to salvage it.

You can always send them off to a scrap metal recycler.

For a chairity, the best thing to do is simply ask.  Ask them is they have resale value for them, or if they are able to sell them as scrap metal.  You don't want to donate items which they are going to have to pay to dispose of, but if they have a use for them, go for it!

By the way, with your next set of pans, invest in the best you can afford.  They will last for many, many years longer.

~Garnet

Homesteading/Farming over 20 years

Answer 3

Here's another vote for freecycle or craig's list.  When I moved into my first apartment, I was able to get some spare items from friends and family, but I was blessed with some gems from both of these sites.

"One man's trash..." as the saying goes.  The family I got a set of pots and pans from said they were no good and they needed a new set, but to me they were great!

I've donated items on these sites before too, and not only is it painless, it makes you feel good to know you're helping others with your "junk."

: )

Answer 4

A lot of civic waste disposal facilities (formerly "the dump") have what they call a metal bin in which you can put stuff like old saucepans and computer cases.