My small town transfer station (formerly known as dump) does recycle steel, but tossing small wrapped up rotary blades into a 30' dumpster filled with scrap iron just doesn't seem logical to me at all. Mine get put into an empty blade contaner, wrapped with duct tape and tossed in the regular garbage. We don't have landfills anymore, so they go off to the incinerator just like the rest of the trash. No one handles them.

One of the ladies from my quilt guild brought one to the meeting and she said she had tried all kinds of sharpeners and none would work right. She brought one from Nancy's Notions. She swears by it. I can't think of the name of it..but it's sort of long looking..runs around $39 unless it's on sale..than about $29. I haven't tried it yet...but she loves hers.

i have never used this site - but i guess to can send them in and get a discount on new blades. I think they just ask that they get sent in the little yellow package they come in when you buy them. when i get a couple more used ones built up i plan on sending mine in.

Geez. I had forgotten about those slots in the bathroom medicine closet! I sharpen my blades a time or two, oil them well, and use a while longer. I keep the container they came in, fill it up, tape it shut and discard.

I also resharpen my blades and when they get dull so that it doesn't appear as if I want to use them I use them to cut batting, paper ( cardmaking) also make good scrappers - for one of us who paints the walls, trim and glass windows. HAHA The way to dispose them is put them in a plastic container with a tightly fitted lid, tape the lid and then dispose of them into the garbage. Olfa actually sells unit you can put your blades into to dispose of.

This is where I send my used blades, been doing business with this company since 1992. http://www.lpsharp.com/3.html

I take mine to the local junk yard, they will gladly take them, since I believe the blades are aluminum or stainless steel, they will be recycled that way.

Thanks for the info. I had seen them before, but didn't know anyone who used them. I have also tried the aluminum foil trick and it does work (running the blade across folded aluminum foil).

I have used LP Sharp and he does a great job. You can find his ad in most
quilting magazines with the address. I sandwich them between cardboard
and put in a padded envelope before mailing them. Reasonable price too.
I have been looking at the new electric sharpner, but the cost??? I could
have LP sharpned lots of blades before I spent that much. JMHO

I've been using a blade sharpener for about 7 years now and have had great success with it.