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Got a pot or pan that’s seen better days? Before you toss it, let’s talk circularity—because Kitchen Warehouse has cooked up a brilliant solution that’s equal parts eco-conscious and wallet-friendly. Introducing The Great Pan Exchange, where your old cookware gets a second chance, and you get a shiny new discount.

Here’s the dish: A staggering 2.5 million pots and pans are thrown away in Australia every year. That’s 7,000 pieces of cookware headed to landfill daily! To give you a visual, if we stacked those pans, they’d tower over 700 metres high—taller than most skyscrapers. That’s a lot of cookware waste, and Kitchen Warehouse isn’t about to let it keep piling up.

Instead, they’ve teamed up with cookware giant Tefal (I know, I know, but keep reading) to help tackle this waste and encourage Australians to recycle their old pots and pans through The Great Pan Exchange. Drop off your worn-out pots and pans at any Kitchen Warehouse store, and in return, score 10% off select Tefal products. Non-stick pans are a serious issue for our health so make sure you pick one from their stainless steel range. It’s a win-win for your kitchen and the planet! 

A Pan-tastic Solution

As more industries embrace sustainability, the homewares sector is finally stepping up with its own innovative solutions. Banksia Foundation’s CEO, Graz Van Egmond, even called The Great Pan Exchange a game-changer, saying it’s proof that retailers can make a real impact on sustainability. This isn’t just a “good idea” moment—it’s a tangible way to reduce waste while offering consumers a premium upgrade to their cookware collections.

“We know price plays a huge role in buying decisions,” says Simon Lamplough, Chief Customer Officer at Kitchen Warehouse. “But when you have to replace a cheap pot every few years, the cost to both your wallet and the planet adds up.”

In fact, Australians are spending nearly $1 billion on cookware annually! The kicker? Many of these pots and pans only last about three years. By opting for higher-quality, longer-lasting cookware, you’re not just saving money in the long run—you’re also cutting down on waste.

The Art of Awareness

To bring the scale of Australia’s cookware waste into focus, Kitchen Warehouse commissioned an art installation called “High Fryer”—a towering sculpture of discarded pots and pans, now on display at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens. Dreamed up by the creative minds at Perth-based agency Berlin, this installation is a striking reminder of just how much waste we’re dealing with. It’s bold, it’s thought-provoking, and it’s impossible to ignore—exactly the kind of nudge we all need to rethink our habits.

Time to Get Cooking with Circularity

The Great Pan Exchange isn’t just about recycling—it’s about shifting our mindset. By bringing in your old cookware and upgrading to durable, eco-friendly options, you’re helping build a more sustainable future, one frypan at a time. So, next time you’re ready to toss that scratched-up saucepan, think again—and head to Kitchen Warehouse to take part in this ground-breaking initiative.

Because in the battle against waste, every pan counts!

If you loved this story we think you'll also love this one here about TreadLightly expanding their recycling programme to accept sports balls! 

Until next week GFZ's, 

Much love! xx