We all have a bunch of old keys lying around the house. They may be from our last home, an old workplace, or a lock you can no longer find. The question is can you recycle keys?
Below we explain the different types of keys and how to recycle them.
What are keys made of?
Keys are made to lock or unlock locking mechanisms. They provide security in our lives. Did you know that keys have been around for thousands of years! The first keys were made of wood, but it didn’t last, so it was replaced with bronze and iron. These keys were huge and very heavy to carry around. Changes more recently led to keys being made out of more modern materials like brass.
There are a couple of different types of keys that we deal with in our lives. House keys or office keys and car keys are the two main types.
What are house keys made from?
Modern house keys are made of many different materials like brass, nickel, silver, or steel. Most commonly, they are made from a brass or nickel-brass mixture. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Some companies even use recycled brass to make keys. Metal keys are also often colored or plated with a different color metal.
Keys can be made from steel, but this is less common because they are more expensive.
What are car keys made from?
Keys used for your car are electronic locks with a remote keyless system. They have a radio transmitter inside them that sends a code to the lock in your car, which opens it. Car keys often also have a standard key built-in. This key is similar to your house keys.
The electronic remote is made from a mix of plastics and metal. It also has a battery inside. The difference with your car keys is they also have an e-waste component for the electronic mechanism.
Can you recycle keys?
Although many curbside recycling services accept metal, keys are too small to be picked up and therefore are not usually accepted. Keys also do not belong in your general waste bin.
The way to dispose of your old house keys is to recycle them with other metals in a mixed metals bin, either at your local recycling center or through an independent scrap yard.
Car keys or other keys that have an electronic remote control in them are actually e-waste. This means they need to be recycled at a place that accepts e-waste. E-waste is classified as an object that has a plug, cord, or battery. You can check with your local authority for a drop-off point.
Learn more about e-waste recycling here.
How to dispose of old keys
Here are a few steps on how to dispose of your old keys:
- First, work out what sort of key you have. Is it a regular house key or do you have an electronic key or FOB key.
- If the key is an electronic key or FOB key it’s classed as e-waste and therefore must be disposed of with your e-waste. Most local authorities have an e-waste drop-off location. See our article on e-waste to learn more.
- If the key is a house key with no electronics then remove any name tags or phone numbers and take the key to your nearest scrap metal yard.
What else can you do with old keys?
Here are a few other options to dispose of your old house keys.
Donate your old keys
You can donate your old keys to charity organizations. They collect keys and melt them down to sell them as scrap metal. The money is given to charities—what a fantastic idea.
Sell your old keys
You might be wondering if there is any value to old keys. If your keys are rare, antique, or have a fascinating design, you might be able to sell them for money. Try selling them on eBay, Craigslist, or local antique stores.
Ways to upcycle your old keys
Top 23 Ways to Reuse and Recycle Keys
There are some great ways you can reuse or upcycle keys. Here are a few examples:
- Turn your keys into weights for curtains or tablecloths.
- Use the hole as a nail direct when hammering.
- Use them in arts and crafts or offer them to an artist.
- Make a play for babies, they always love to play with a bunch of keys.
- Make fun games for kids. You can use them in scavenger hunts for example.
- Give someone a gift with a key on a chain as the key to your heart.
If you are looking for more ideas, take a look on Pinterest, you are sure to find something that interests you to use your old keys.
Want to learn more about recycling common household items. Head over to our blog to find more recycling guides or check out:
