What to Do with Old Keys

Most people over time end up with old keys that are no longer useful, but it can be difficult to know what the best way of disposing of such keys is. Whether you only have a few old keys to your old house or vehicle, or you have amassed an entire junk drawer of keys that are no longer useful to you, this article aims to help you determine the best way of disposing of those keys. This also goes for businesses, such as retail, hospitality, and other types of companies that may have collected a pile of obsolete metal. While keys may seem small when there’s only one or two of them, that amount quickly adds up when you consider all of the keys a person uses and disposes of over a lifetime.

Security Hazards Involving Old Keys

It’s a good idea to take a trip through your home or business to collect all of your old keys from drawers, storage boxes, cupboards, and any other area they may be hiding. While you may be tempted to just quickly chuck any old, obsolete keys that you find in the garbage and be done with it, that’s not always a good idea, and if you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint, it’s a downright bad one.

If the key that you’re disposing of is one that is damaged or broken, but still technically fits the lock it was meant for, this can put your security at risk. While you may not think of anyone digging around in your trash, there are criminals who do just that, looking for personal data such as old mail and other items. A damaged key can be duplicated fairly easily and inexpensively, and in some cases, this could give the thief easy access to your home or business while you’re none the wiser. That’s why it’s never recommended to simply toss out old keys that still work on your locks.

If the key was to an apartment or other rental, you will more than likely be required to return the keys to your rental company or landlord. It’s important to follow through with this step so you don’t face any legal or financial ramifications, even if you didn’t leave the property on the best terms. Keys can be dropped in an envelope and mailed to the appropriate party, but be sure you retain a picture or other proof that you did this just in case. However, you may still have ended up with copies of your rental keys for one reason or another.

Safe Disposal of Old Keys

Find a local recycling center that accepts keys. The vast majority of recycling plants take metal keys, which can be dropped into their mixed metal bins. You don’t have to make an appointment, you just drive in and drop off your keys, as well as any other materials you may have to recycle.
Contact the recycling facility before you bring the keys in, especially if you have a significant amount of them lying around in need of disposal, to ensure that they offer this service.

Additional Ways to Reuse Your Old Keys

In addition to recycling other otherwise disposing of old keys, there are even more creative ways to reuse the keys that are no longer useful for you.

Use a small key with a hole in the top, such as a removable lock key for a storage unit or similar application, to replace a missing zipper tag. Bend the loop on the zipper enough so that you can slip the key into place, then bend the loop back to secure the key.
Many people have found framing their house keys in a picture frame to be not only a pretty sight, but also a sweet reminder of purchasing their home, whether it was their first home or their dream home. You can purchase a picture frame of any size you want at most department or hardware stores. Shadow boxes are a popular option to give dramatic flair. How you choose to display the key is entirely up to your personal taste. You could hang it from a piece of twine or glue multiple keys in an interesting layout on top of pretty paper. Consider the appearance of your key as well as the overall décor of your home.
Another option is to turn your key into a necklace or similar piece of jewelry. This has been popular in recent years on sites like Etsy, as crafters and home jewelry makers raid the skeleton key bins at antique shows and thrift stores. A jewelry made from your own key will not only look trendy and cool, gaining you many compliments when you wear it out, but it can also be a sentimental piece if it reminds you of a place you love. All you need to make a necklace is your key and a chain or beading thread, but you can dress it up with different colored beads or charms, depending on your fashion tastes and personal style.
The limit is only as far as your imagination. You can use old keys in many different crafts. If you need inspiration, you can browse hundreds of ideas on Pinterest and on other sites on the web.

How a Locksmith Can Assist You

Maybe you have old keys because they’re damaged, or you need the locks changed on your property. Whatever the case may be, count on a professional locksmith for all of your lock and key needs so that your home or business’s security is maintained. Contacting a professional locksmith company, such as Libertyville Fast Locksmith in Libertyville, Illinois, is the smart choice. While you could replace your key at a hardware store in some cases, you’ll often wind up with a cheap key that could get broken or bent easily and you’d have to repeat the process all over again. If you need your locks changed, don’t give in to the temptation to do it yourself, as this could leave your property at risk.