Household recycling
How to Recycle Garden Tools
Shovels, rakes, hand tools, hoses, and powered equipment such as mowers, trimmers, and blowers. Simple scrap once the fluids and non-metal parts are dealt with.
Check local acceptanceLast reviewed July 28, 2026
Quick answer
Repair or donate first, then scrap. Metal hand tools are straightforward scrap once non-metal parts come off. Powered equipment is different: drain the fuel and oil at least 24 hours ahead, take those to household hazardous waste, and only then take the machine to a scrap recycler. Many counties accept mowers, blowers, and chainsaws free.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
How to Prepare
- 1Repair, sharpen, or rehandle before replacing, since most tool failures are the handle rather than the steel
- 2Donate usable tools to a charity, community garden, or tool library
- 3Knock the dirt off and take metal hand tools to a scrap yard
- 4