New Program Recycles Old Cookware

Cookware manufacturer Calphalon is offering a mail-in program called Calphalon ReNew, which allows consumers to recycle obsolete pots and pans of any brand when they purchase new Calphalon products.

The Calphalon Unison cookware will come complete with a shipping box, and pre-paid shipping labels are available to print online. Once old cookware is packaged, it can be dropped at a FedEx location for free recycling. Calphalon will also mail back two, 100 percent recycled cotton reusable shopping bags to participating recyclers.

Most cookware can be melted down for scrap metal. Photo: Crateandbarrel.com

This program is only accepting metal cookware, such as frying pans, skillets and stock pots. Calphalon will not accept glass cookware or utensils and requires that all products be washed prior to shipping.

“One of the first things people deal with when they buy a new set of cookware is figuring out what to do with their old set,” said Kingsley Shannon, senior manager Brand Services for Calphalon.

“With Calphalon ReNew, we solve that problem and in the process give consumers an exceptionally easy way to ensure the valuable materials in their old cookware are put to use for future generations.”

Most cookware is produced using non-ferrous metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel. These pots and pans can be melted down for scrap metal, and in the case of Calphalon approximately 35 percent of the cookware is recycled aluminum.

Another option if you’ve already purchased new cookware is to donate the old set for reuse. These products are accepted at many second-hand stores such as Goodwill or Salvation Army.