Several years ago I saw something mentioned on another forum about sending the used blades to a non-profit that worked with those with disablities, they were using the blades to cut leather so they didn't need to be as sharp as for fabric. Has anyone heard of doing this?
I saved one of the plastic covers that comes with Olfa blades and have put several blades in there. Would prefer giving them away than putting them in the trash and someone get hurt.
Any suggestions? Chris

I just wrap them in some paper and put in the trash. Don't know how someone could get hurt...they go into the landfill.

I keep an empty (washed) tuna can on the shelf for mine, then throw them away when it's full. Would be very interested if there's a useful alternative.

i use an old coffee can with a slit in the lid, all used blades and needles go in it. when it's full, I tape the lid on and dispose in the recycle bin.

I use mine for my paper cutter

Send them away to be resharpened.

To where?

How much?

Are they "as good as new" when you get them back?

I put them in the plastic container they come in,,,,,, when its full, I tape it shut and put in the trash

I wrap mine in a piece of paper then wrap the paper heavily in packing tape. Then I throw it in the trash.

I save them til I cannot stand them anymore then throw them away wrapped in scrap fabric.

I encase them in cardboard and wrap all around with heavy tape before putting in trash. Thought of putting in my sharps container for diabetic supplies but opening wasn't large enough.

Altoids tin.

http://topstitching.net/rotaryblades.aspx

http://www.justwrightsharpening.com/..._cutter_blades

Thanks, Jacquie. Having the blades re-sharpened is an option. I had tried sharpening the blades myself but wasn't pleased with the outcome. Professionally sharpened might make a big difference. Chris

check with your local co-op, scout troop head masters, 4-H leaders- farmers, the extension office-even the senior center- all of these places will either want them or know someone who really really could use them- elderly retirees who are doing leather work- those people can be very creative- and industrious---most of the tools-materials we take for granted= and just toss out to the landfill- many many people would continue to use.
mine go to my mother- and to the co-op-- i do not know what they do with them- i do know when i said one day...i have these old rotory blades that are no longer usable for cutting fabric- what should i do with them? the guy at the co-op sure got excited about them...and told me if i wanted to just toss them into a container and drop them off any time he sure could use them.
i try to always share instead of sending to the landfill

They sure are.

I keep all sharps (blades, needles, bent pints) in one of those plastic canisters that larger quantity of chewing gum comes in. Once full, I give them to a Vet who adds them to the "sharps" (medical needles) that are gathered for safety.

I'd suspect the same is why your Co-op collecting them is as a service to the farmers, for safety for all.

I save my breathsavers containers and put the used ones in there before disposing of them.

that's what I've been doing, but now with the Harbor Freight blades I'm going to wrap them in cardboard and tape shut.

Where? How much? How long before you get them back? :?:

Wish we had a resharping service in Ausrtalia ,I have lots of them . Cathy

I keep the case they come in to put the bad blades in. But then I just throw them away. I didn't know someone could use them. I'll have to get it out.

Find someone who chews tobacco and ask them for the empty can. Those cans just exactly fit a blade/disk and do not come apart too easily. You can store more than one blade and throw them out all at once.

I put them in a tuna can and put them in the recycle can for Mr Garbage man. I had called our town recycle center and that's what the recommended

I put mine in a Pringles can that has been wrapped in duct tape.

[quote=whinnytoo]I put them in the plastic container they come in

That is what I have done also. I have found it is good to mark on the container used.

Thanks for sharing...

I reuse an empty prescription bottle, the tall large type. I write "used" on there and they are safe from fingers until the bottle is full which could take years the way I change blades.

i put them aside to use with paper and if i need to get rid of one i put them in with my needles to dispose of. i buy 10 at a time for 14.95 which only 1.50 each and they last a long time. i get them through --jhittlesewing.com.

I have a small, hinged lid, metal tin that I have marked "Sharps" on. I make sure to keep it out of reach of small, curious fingers.

I take it to my LQS ever time I take a class there, when I remember it when already going or when it is bugging me. They have proper Sharps disposal bins there and anyone is allowed to dispose of quilting Sharps there at any time. They have no issue with me walking in, dumping my Sharps and not buying anything or having a class or whatever. So that is how I dispose of my Sharps.

Tara

What type of co-op do you donate them to?

I take my spent blades and pins to the local recycling place and take them in a coffee can and they will dispose of them properly. Most scrap metal companies will take them to.

Thank you Jacquie. I've bookmarked these pages.

no suggestion other than get your blades from Harbor Freight..... 2 in a package for $1.99.

If they're in their plastic cases they could be safe, - hospitals have special sharps containers - give them to your nurse friends to pop in when nobody's looking I disposed of several this way when working at clinics in the North (Canada).

Ditto and I put a piece of tape saying "used" so I don't make a mistake later.
I'd like to donate them if someone knows where.

I have two rotary cutters, one of which has a ribbon attached to the end indicating that it is a dull (to fabric) blade, but perfectly fine for other uses (paper, etc.). The ribbon keeps me from grabbing the wrong one.

Then, when the fabric blade begins to dull, I switch the ribbon and replace the now really dull blade. The dull blade gets wrapped in a piece of paper, then wrapped in a sheet of paper towel and taped around the several paper layers before going in the trash.

I like the idea of resharpening, but postage rates, etc. come to almost what new blades do through either Harbor Freight or J. Hittle, so I'd rather go with the new.

quilters are so resourceful normally, we really should recycle these blades. thanks for the information. I will try these companies. i tried LS. Sharpe company and the blades they returned were not that sharp.

me too ! stick my needles in there as well !!

I used to just throw them away. Now that I am going to be a grandma, I decided to save the last container. I put anX on it so I can tell it from the new blades. The old blade go in there and then when it is full. I will tape it shut and throw away.