Ironclad Co. is launching The Great Pan Exchange on 23 October so Aussies can recycle their non-stick pots and pans, rather than throwing them in the bin only to end up in landfill.
New research reveals that 72 per cent of Aussies discard their non-stick cookware. This results in approximately 2.7 million pieces of cookware being disposed of in landfills annually, averaging over 7,000 pieces each day. What’s particularly concerning is that the majority of this cookware contains harmful PFAS, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” These toxins persist in the environment and our bodies without breaking down.
Efforts are underway to ban PFAS in Australia by 2025 in various industries, and The Ironclad Co. is keen to witness significant changes in the cookware sector. PFAS has been extensively used in non-stick cookware since the 1940s, and there are currently no mandatory standards or regulations for manufacturers to follow.
Aside from the environmental and health concerns associated with non-stick cookware, there are economic implications to consider as well. If 75 per cent of Australian households spend $100 on a non-stick pan this year, and the average lifespan of these pans is three years, Aussies could be discarding nearly $7 billion. This figure assumes they only purchase one pan this year.
Based on these concerning statistics, Ironclad is launching The Great Pan Exchange on 23 October 2023. The initiative hopes to educate people about the environmental impact of non-stick pans and encourage Aussies to recycle their non-stick pots and pans at Kitchen Warehouse locations across the country.
Many recycling plants don’t accept non-stick cookware, so this initiative is really offering an authentic solution to the environmental problem. In addition, you’ll receive 10% off any Ironclad product when you recycle your non-stick cookware.