The Importance of Properly Disposing of Old Cookware

There are numerous reasons to dispose of old cookware. You may have upgraded to a new model, the cooking surface may have eroded over time, or you may be merging kitchen supplies with a new roommate or partner. Enjoy your next meal knowing you did the right thing with your old cookware.

For some items, recycling your old cookware is an option, but there are several important variables to consider first—including growing concerns about PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in nonstick coatings.

Can Your Cookware Be Reused?

If you need to dispose of pots and pans, the first option to consider is reuse. Sites like Craigslist and Freecycle are good options for finding your cookware a new home, as are secondhand stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army. A few scratches or dings may matter to you, but that doesn’t make your pots and pans unusable.

Important note on damaged nonstick cookware: If you have nonstick pans with PTFE coating that are scratched, chipped, or flaking, these should not be reused or donated. Damaged nonstick coatings can release chemicals into food and should be recycled or properly disposed of instead.

Where Can You Recycle Your Cookware?

For pots and pans that have seen better days, recycling is an option, but it’s unlikely to be through your curbside bin. Unless your curbside recycling program accepts scrap metal (only about 5% of curbside programs in Earth911’s recycling directory do), recycling will take a little more effort.

Most cookware contains some metal, and for recycling purposes, you’ll want to know whether it is ferrous or nonferrous. Your pots and pans are most likely nonferrous metals, such as aluminum, copper, or stainless steel. If they attract a magnet, though, they are ferrous metal. The type of metal matters because some recyclers only accept either ferrous or nonferrous metal.

Brand Take-back and Recycling Programs

Several cookware brands now offer recycling programs, making it easier to dispose of old pots and pans responsibly:

Made In Cookware

Made In offers a comprehensive recycling program that allows customers to send back any brand of cookware, not just Made In products. They’ve partnered with select Habitat for Humanity ReStores across the United States. Cookware in good condition is donated for reuse, while damaged items are recycled. Made In accepts nonstick pans coated with PTFE and will buff off the coating before recycling the metal.

Our Place

Our Place provides a take-back program specifically for its ceramic nonstick cookware. Customers receive a prepaid shipping label and can use the 20% off discount code on their next purchase. The program partners with a California-based recycling facility that specializes in cookware recycling. Notably, Our Place products use Thermakind™ ceramic coating, which is PFAS-free, making them easier to recycle than PTFE-coated pans.

Calphalon

Calphalon previously offered the ReNew program, which allowed customers who purchased qualifying Calphalon Unison Nonstick sets to mail back any brand of old cookware in the provided return box. While the program’s current status should be verified, customers can still mail cookware directly to Calphalon at their Bowling Green, Ohio, facility. Send your used Calphalon to 20750 Midstar Drive, Bowling Green, OH 43402.

GreenPan

GreenPan offers a recycling program and plants a tree for every GreenPan ordered. The company’s cookware uses a PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating and is made at a factory powered by solar energy.

Tefal (France)

In France, Tefal launched a pan recycling program in 2025, with a goal to collect 20 million utensils by 2027. The program partners with major retailers and develops collection points at waste disposal sites. Recycled aluminum uses more than 90% less energy than producing virgin aluminum.

Understanding PFAS in Cookware

Before recycling your cookware, it’s important to understand what’s in it. Most nonstick cookware is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)—commonly known by the brand name Teflon—which is a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS). Research from The Ecology Center found that 79% of tested nonstick cooking pans and 20% of nonstick baking pans were coated with PTFE, often without clear disclosure on packaging.

PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment. Studies indicate exposure to certain PFAS may lead to serious health issues, including reproductive problems, increased cholesterol levels, impaired vaccine response, thyroid disease, and elevated cancer risks. A 2024 University of North Carolina study published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health found that people who ate more ultra-processed foods had higher levels of certain PFAS compounds in their blood. Research shows that damaged nonstick pans with scratches or flaking can increase PFAS leaching into food.

State Legislation on PFAS in Cookware

Several states have taken action to ban PFAS in cookware. As of January 2025, Minnesota became the first state to ban the sale of nonstick cookware coated with PFAS. Colorado and Maine will implement PFAS cookware bans starting January 1, 2026, while Connecticut and Vermont have bans scheduled for January 2028. Rhode Island and New Mexico have also passed similar legislation.

In February 2024, the FDA announced that all greaseproofing agents containing PFAS are no longer sold in the U.S.

Recycling Nonstick Cookware for PFAS-Free Cookware Alternatives

If you have nonstick cookware coated with PTFE, recycling options are limited. The coating needs to be removed before the pan can be recycled. Once you’ve found a scrap metal recycling facility near you, call them to ask if they accept Teflon-coated pans. Current recycling technologies cannot separate fluoropolymer coatings from metal cookware. Plastic components, such as handles, are typically incinerated, landfilled, or thermally destroyed during metal recycling. This is why brand take-back programs that can handle the coating removal are preferable for PFAS-coated cookware.

Some cookware will have no metal component, such as ceramic bowls or Pyrex baking dishes. Pyrex is a type of treated glass that will not melt at the same temperature as glass bottles and jars during the recycling process. If mixed with container glass, all the resulting material will become unusable. Don’t put treated glass items in your curbside bin. They cannot be recycled with your glass containers, and putting them in the bin will contaminate your recyclable items. Unfortunately, there are few recycling options for non-container glass at this time.

If you’re looking to replace old nonstick cookware, several safer alternatives are now widely available:

1. Cast Iron and Enameled Cast Iron: Cast iron offers natural nonstick properties when properly seasoned and can last generations with proper care. Enameled cast iron requires no seasoning and is easy to clean. Both options are PFAS-free and highly durable. Pre-seasoned cast iron options like Calphalon’s Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron pan come ready to use.

2. Stainless Steel: Stainless steel cookware, particularly 18/10 grade (18% chromium, 10% nickel), offers excellent durability and is completely PFAS-free. It’s dishwasher-safe, rust- and stain-resistant, and often comes with a lifetime warranty. While it may require more oil for cooking than nonstick options, it’s virtually maintenance-free.

3. Ceramic Nonstick (PFAS-Free): Modern ceramic nonstick cookware provides a PFAS-free alternative to traditional Teflon coatings. Brands like Caraway, GreenPan, and Our Place use ceramic coatings made with sol-gel technology rather than fluoropolymers. Made In’s CeramiClad line uses a silicone-based coating made in the USA that’s third-party tested for heavy metals. While ceramic coatings have a shorter lifespan (1-3 years) than PTFE, they don’t release harmful chemicals when scratched.

4. Carbon Steel: Carbon-steel pans are lightweight, heat quickly, and develop a natural nonstick surface when seasoned. They’re PFAS-free, highly durable, and can be used on any cooktop, including induction.

Just like cookware, if the items are still usable, see if you can find them a new home. If they’re broken or otherwise unusable, responsible disposal depends on the material:

– Wood: You can likely cut, break, or saw your old wooden spoons into small pieces for composting—be sure to remove any plastic pieces first.
– Metal: These items offer the same reuse and recycling options as metal cookware.
– Plastic: Reuse is your best option for plastic utensils, as recycling is problematic. For starters, you’re unlikely to know what type of resin they are made of, which is the first step to determine the recyclability of plastics. Check with your local recycling program; it’s likely you cannot put them in your curbside bin and will need to put these items in the trash.

While cookware recycling requires more effort than tossing items in your curbside bin, many options now exist for responsibly disposing of old pots and pans. In the wake of growing research showing that PFAS impact health and expanding statewide bans, many consumers are transitioning to PFAS-free alternatives such as cast iron, stainless steel, and ceramic nonstick cookware. When making this transition, check if your current cookware qualifies for brand take-back programs before exploring local recycling options. The field of artificial intelligence (AI) has seen tremendous advancements over the past few years, with new technologies and applications emerging at an unprecedented pace. From self-driving cars to intelligent virtual assistants, AI has transformed the way we live and work.

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