Recycling Kitchen Appliances – The Complete Guide

Can Instant Pots Be Recycled?

Instant pots are tricky appliances to recycle since they are usually made with a ceramic insert that you cannot put in the standard garbage bin with the rest of your trash. Given this, it could pose a danger to employees at the garbage disposal center. 

Instant pots cannot be recycled since the inner casing is most often made from ceramic. Additionally, you cannot recycle electronics in the standard recycling bin; instead, it is considered e-waste (electronic waste). 

If you want to dispose of your instant pot, the best thing to do is to repurpose it yourself. You can use it as a cooking pot for your oven or even plant seeds inside and turn it into a recycled flower pot. 

Surprisingly, there is a way to fix an instant pot if it is cracked. A solution of hot milk can close the crack so that you can use your instant pot for longer. 

No matter what you decide to do with your instant pot, never throw it out with your regular garbage. Doing this will result in terrible ramifications for the environment, and it could take up to 1,000 years for it to fully disintegrate. 

Can Air Fryers Be Recycled?

Air fryers are typically made from plastic and metal parts. Because of this, you can dispose of an air fryer in the usual way you would dispose of recyclables. 

Air fryers can be recycled, but the metal and plastic parts of the appliance need to be recycled separately. If there is a plastic basket included in your air fryer, this can also be recycled – but again, this needs to be recycled separately from the other elements. 

You can either take the air fryer to a recycling outlet, or you can arrange for an e-waste company to come and pick it up – often for a small fee. 

You should never forget to clean out the appliance thoroughly before disposing of it since any oil residue is flammable and could pose a severe risk to the environment.

However, if your local authority does not allow you to recycle the air fryer, you can always get it fixed and donate it to charity. The Salvation Army will often accept appliances with cords as long as they are in working order.

Can Microwave Ovens Be Recycled?

Microwave ovens are usually made from many different materials, all of which can be recycled – except for the cord. Most recycling centers will accept an old microwave oven for repurposing since many metal and plastic elements will come in handy for other uses.

Microwave ovens can be recycled almost anywhere. You may have to call or email your local recycling center to check if they will take it, but even if they don’t, you will be able to recycle it with your local e-waste (electronic waste) center. 

Since laws are different in every state, it is essential that you check with your local waste disposal group before attempting to get rid of your microwave oven. Either way, it is illegal in most states to put a microwave out on the curbside for disposal with the rest of your trash.

Additionally, if you cannot find an appropriate place to recycle your appliance, there are some companies that will take it back and recycle it themselves, sometimes for a small fee. Check with the manufacturer to see if they offer such a thing since this is an easy solution if you don’t find a local disposal center that will take it.

Can Kettles Be Recycled?

Disposing of a kettle all depends on the type of kettle you have. Unfortunately, if you have an electric kettle, you won’t be able to recycle it in the traditional way. 

Traditional kettles can be recycled conventionally. You can easily put them in with your recyclable waste on the curbside with the rest of your trash. Electric kettles are electronic waste, so they need to be taken by a local organization specializing in electronics.

Traditional kettles can be recycled because they are not electric and are usually made from cast iron or stainless steel, neither of which will pose a hazard to employees at the recycling center. When it is recycled, it will be disintegrated or melted along with the rest of your recyclable waste. 

To dispose of your electric kettle, your best option is to either take it to an e-waste collection point or donate it to charity. Many electric kettles contain harmful toxins that could destroy the local habitat if leaked in a landfill, so take care when disposing of one. 

Can Refrigerators Be Recycled?

You have a few options if you want to get rid of your refrigerator. Since it contains harmful toxins that could be detrimental to local wildlife, you need to take care when disposing of it. However, almost all the components of a fridge are recyclable, so you can give them to your local recycling unit..

Refrigerators can be recycled. However, they cannot be left out with the rest of your trash and must be taken separately to a recycling center for proper processing. The materials borne from old fridges can be repurposed to create many things, including phones and computers. 

Before doing this, you should contact the company from whom you purchased your refrigerator since some companies will take back the fridge at no cost so that they can repurpose the components.

Recycling your refrigerator responsibly will avoid the numerous problems associated with foam and plastic being piled into landfills. These substances will take many years to decompose, so sending it somewhere for repurposing is essential. 

Can Rice Cookers Be Recycled?

Similar to instant pots, rice cookers generally cannot be recycled. Since they are labeled as e-waste, they need to be disposed of to a separate entity rather than being put out with the rest of the trash. You will likely be fined for putting a rice cooker on the street for collection. 

Rice cookers cannot be recycled because of the nature of the components. They typically contain a large amount of ceramic, which can be hazardous when thrown into a landfill. 

Since your rice cooker can’t be responsibly recycled, if it is still in working order, your best bet is to donate it to a local organization such as the Salvation Army or thrift shop. Otherwise, consider asking the manufacturer if they have their own recycling scheme if it is broken beyond repair. 

Failing this, your only other option is finding an e-waste company near you to properly dispose of your rice cooker. 

Can KitchenAids Be Recycled?

KitchenAids have many recyclable components, many of which, if taken apart correctly, would be accepted by a local recycling center. However, they will not accept it unless it is taken apart since it comes under electronic waste.

KitchenAids can only be recycled if they are taken apart. If you can separate the plastic and metal parts, you will be able to put them in your regular recycling section of curbside waste. Otherwise, you should send the appliance to an e-waste center for repurposing.

When taking apart your KitchenAid, always take precautions, especially since any broken pieces could injure you. If in doubt, contact your local e-waste company to see if they will be able to do it for you. 

Suppose you cannot send your KitchenAid to a charitable organization because it is broken and can’t be fixed. In that case, your best bet is to contact a local electronic waste organization that will be able to either pick it up for a small fee or allow you to drop it off for disposal.

Can Dehydrators Be Recycled?

Dehydrators are made from components that could be very detrimental to the environment, and the parts are often excellent for repurposing. For this reason, it is essential that you recycle your dehydrator properly.

Dehydrators can be recycled very easily, and you do not usually have to contact an electronic waste organization to do so. You can place it outside with your regular recycling trash, and your local authority will collect it for you. 

If your local authority does not accept dehydrators for any reason, you should be able to find another recycling group that will likely accept the appliance for repurposing.

If it is still working, you can always send your dehydrator to a charitable organization. New dehydrators can be expensive, so donating it is a form of recycling in itself.

Additionally, you can always remove the metal racks from inside the appliance and repurpose them as a cake stand or use them in artwork. You can do many things with these metal racks, and they can even be recycled into a clock stand. 

Can Slow Cookers/Crock Pots Be Recycled?

While the ceramic part of slow cookers and crock pots can be repurposed in several ways – you could turn it into a mixing bowl, for example – you may find it challenging to find a recycling center to take one off you. 

Slow cookers and crock pots can be recycled, but only using a specialized electronic waste business. You will likely find that your local authority will not allow you to put it out on the curb with the rest of your recyclable waste.

If you aren’t sure what to do with the appliance, and it is still in working condition, the Salvation Army is a good next step for you.

Can Toaster Ovens Be Recycled?

Toaster ovens make for excellent recycling materials since they are made from glass, metal, and plastic, which can all be repurposed for numerous things. Recycling your toaster oven is essential to keep it from ending up in the landfill, which could easily cause problems with the local wildlife. 

Toaster ovens can be recycled, but you will need to separate the parts beforehand. You can responsibly recycle the metal and plastic sections if you divide the parts. You can recycle the glass, but only if it is not broken, since broken glass causes a hazard to employees at a garbage center. 

There are a few electronic waste collection sites that specialize in smaller appliances. If you have one of these sites near you, then you may not need to disassemble the components of the toaster oven since they will likely be able to do it for you.

Unfortunately, suppose you have a very old toaster oven. In that case, this will probably not be accepted at any specialized electronic recycling center, but if you have a newer version (less than 15 years old), then you shouldn’t have this problem. 

Finally, you can also check with the company from whom you bought the toaster oven to see if they have a recycling process for old purchases. Many companies nowadays do this to utilize the more expensive components of the appliance for new devices.