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.
