Tefal launches nationwide pan collection scheme in French supermarkets
Shoppers can receive a discount voucher for recycling used cooking utensils - all brands accepted
Do not throw your old pan in the bin – its aluminium can be recycled
Elena Zajchikova/Shutterstock
The Tefal pan collection project is being rolled out nationwide in major supermarkets, with all brands accepted for recycling.
It is estimated that the average lifespan of a frying pan is no more than three years, with many of us simply tossing them in the bin once they get scratched or lose their non-stick quality. All of which means unnecessary landfill or incineration.
Now, Tefal, part of the SEB group, has launched a major pan collection programme with the aim of recycling 20 million utensils by 2027.
Read also: Letters: Waste collection in France needs a rethink
More than just pans
In the first quarter of 2025, Tefal began rolling out large-scale collection operations in partnership with major retailers (Auchan, Leclerc, Carrefour), and will also develop a network of collection points in drop-off centres and stores.
This system will enable consumers to easily drop off their used utensils – crucially, whether Tefal-branded or not.
1,500 new collection points will be deployed on a permanent basis, and, as a further incentive, some chains are offering a voucher that can be redeemed in store.
The process can be broken into five steps:
- Take your used cooking utensils (pans, pots, pressure cookers, cake tins…) to your local in-store drop-off point.
- Place your used utensils into the dedicated recycling box and scan the QR code.
- Collect your discount voucher at the welcome desk of the store.
- In the store, choose a Tefal or SEB item from a selection of participating products.
- Use your discount voucher at the checkout to benefit from the offer.
Read also: Recycle your old eyeglasses at La Poste branches across France
What happens next?
“The collected pans will be sorted and recycled according to strict quality and safety standards. The materials, notably aluminum, are recycled using processes mastered by French industrial partners. Recycling saves over 90% energy compared to the production of virgin aluminum,” says SEB.
“We’re committed to using 60% recycled materials in our factories. To be able to supply ourselves with aluminum, we need to get it from where it already exists, i.e. from used frying pans and saucepans,” said Ingrid Tams, Head of New Circular Solutions at the company.
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