How can I reuse or recycle old house keys?
I’ve had an email from Jory, asking for suggestion about what to do with “a ton of old house keys”.
We’ve got a number floating around too – not just house keys but old bike lock keys and other misc keys that are probably for something really important we just don’t know what.
So any ideas?
Best Suggestions
- Reuse: Lots of people have suggested using them as different type of decorations and jewellery – and if you don’t want to do that, there are a number of different artists collecting them (see below).
- Recycle: If you’d rather recycle them for charity, they’re collected by a number of charities – for example Keys For Kindness in the US.
- See the comments below for more suggestions and ideas
(Photo by irizarry)
If anyone else has old keys they’d like to give away you can mail them to:
4001 Meriwether Drive
Durham, NC 27704 USA
Any and all keys are welcome and appreciated. As few or many as you would like to donate. I am collecting keys to melt down and create other metal goods.
Dear Sir / Madam,
If your at a lose end to what to do with old keys we at the welsh playgroup in abergele are in search for some to make a treasure chest so children can play with keys in the discovery area.
Thanks
Nerys 07707749063
hi are do you still want keys ive got a lot i can get them to you
yes P.O. Box 145 savage md 20763
I would like to send keys to you. What name should i put in the address? Are you an artist?
Are you still recycling old keys? I would love to send a few to you!!!
Thanks!!
Hello are you still collecting keys? What do you melt them down to become? Also what name should I put on the envelope to post my keys?
Thanks Kelly
an edit to the above post:
it is 4001 Meriwether Drive #13C. Without the 13C you will be sending it to a very confused apartment complex. Haha
Use them for coasters.
I saw a percussionist using keys hung in a string as a percussion instrument. I am collecting keys now to try that.
Hi.
I am looking to build a similar instrument. I have collected 13 old keys. I’m seeking the blueprints to build them right. I get the impression that a small piece of wood, a drill with a small bit, the keys and some fishing string should do the trick, of course with proper protective wear!!! lol. So if anyone knows of a place online to get some type of blueprint or instruction on how to make these, please send me a message at heldrawsthemusic@myspace.com. Thanks.
KEYS >>> old keys are great. Dip one in metalic paint or spray on gold or silver. Put key on a necklace. Large old time keys are best. but a small one used with other items and makes a charm bracelet. I like the small lock and key combination and put on a necklace. OK i’m a man and straight but i’m into crafts full time. Durn, i need to send photo of keys in a display case… Most old door keys bring about $2.50 each at antique stores.
I luv this idea! Thanks a lot!
Especially since we have holes in some of the keys, it makes things a lot easier!
Hi
If anyone has any old house keys, would be most grateful as we are going to use them as “Santa Keys” in our forthcoming Christmas Fayre!!
So please email me and I will give you my address.
Many Many thanks
love this idea. it’s kinda cute
Ive recently resorted to buying bags of old keys, then I found this page.
If anyone is willing to send me old keys its greatly appreciated!
Ive recently started an art project calling for many. Just email me if you have any you are willing to send!
thanks!
I am a property manager and have accumulated rather a lot of chubb, yale and other metal keys. If you are still in need of these please email me Hoaregalvin@aol.com using ‘old keys’ as subject heading.
Hey Allie, I just came across this site and I have a bunch of old keys. If you still are in need please let me know and please include your e-mail address. Thanks :)
I have imbellished old pictures frames with keys. You can use old greeting cards as pictures for the frames. You can paint the keys or just leave them they way they are. Just glue they keys around the frame. You will want to place the keys around the frame before gluing for measurement. You would hate to get around the frame and not have enough room for that last key. These make great gifts.
I totally forgot about this one idea. Christmas tree ornaments. I bet keys would make really nice ornaments. Shine them up and let them sparkle with the lights.
I work at a buisness fr people with special needs. One of our participants makes artwork out of old PC’s, 3d PCI cards, and old keys. She also uses sea shells and whatever comes to her mind. If anyone has any of the materials I have listed, please email me at jmzicha@yahoo.com. She would be THRILLED!!!
Thank you
I have been collecting keys for as long or longer than I have been gardening. I worked for a car lot for thirty years and on a whim started collecting keys. Then started finding odd shaped ones. I have quite a few and plan to make a montage in the shape of a key, using my keys to make the design. I also collected old license metal tags. There are just so may uses for these: bird houses, purses, etc. All I need now is the time and the toola.
You can carry some with you to full the potential thieves, and leave them laying around, while real keys are hidden inside your pocket or a purse.
Make wind chimes.
Adorn a manly lamp shade by hanging them along the bottom.
Fill a cute jar or little container with them and use as paper weight.
Instead of keeping a brick in your toilet tank, fill a container with the old keys and submerge to save water.
Outline each key on a paper, and make kids find each correlating key.
Use old key to play guitar.
Form the end of an old key as screwdriver, carry it with you and use it as needed.
Use square part to spread glue or cocking.
Hang them at the corners of a table cloth when eating outside, so wind won’t blow the table cloth off the table.
Make a ball of clay, stick old keys all around it, then let dry. You’ll have nifty decorative item.
Hide them in a soil, sand or grass and practice working your metal detector.
Use an old key to direct a nail while hammering. Make sure the nails have heads smaller than a hall in the key.
Glue them to form number of your house.
Looking for used keys for sculpture. I can pay for postage! Thnak you so much!!
Email me your address so I can send you a few keys.
Hello Elena,
I’ve got lots of unwanted yale, mortice etc keys. pse contact me to arrange delivery.
Thanks
Teresa
It would help if I told you my email address :)
lichoffkelly0@mcsk12.net
Hi Elena,
Are you still willing to pay postage for old keys to make your sculpture? I have loads as just changed the keys – email me at t.ekiyoyo@dta.org.uk. Thanks
I am collecting all keys & pennies for my non profit called Kots4Kidz & the other is called PenniesforaChange. Please send your unused keys and any pennies to P.O. Box 145 savage Md 20763. They will go to a good cause through recycling meltdowns and toward helping kids get off the street and into spnsored programs for education, awareness and self preservation. Please Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
email jstewrt7@aol.com i need keys pennies old cd’s. thanks
we also will pay cash for your old cell phone. please contact. greenbrainhd@verizon.net and we can take your old cell phone for recycling. if it has a cash value we can send you a check or pay you through paypal or send you a giftcard. please contact. thanks. Cells are recycled and reprogrammed for the elderly who live alone. the phones are reprogrammed with emergency numbers that they can call by pressing one number, any way please help if you can send your old cell to P.O. Box 145 Savage md 20763. Put Talkntextmobile on the package or if you email us we can send you a postage paid envelope. thanks
you can put then on a ring and give to your younger kidz to play with
Give them to a teacher. It might be a good resors to teach the children with.
I just used a couple old keys to add extra weight to the handle mechanism on my old toilet. I usually had to jiggle the handle to get the main gasket to seal now because of the keys I am good to go.
I took the top off the toilet and added the two keys to the top of the chain that connects the main gasket to the handle lever- then reconnected the chain with the keys to the lever.
Thanks old keys!