How to Responsibly Dispose of a Sword or Bladed Weapon
Disposing of a sword or any bladed weapon responsibly is more important than many people realize. Whether you've inherited a sword, no longer want one in your home, or have found a potentially dangerous item, simply throwing it in the trash is not a safe or legal solution. Improper disposal can lead to injuries—especially if found by children—or even legal complications.
Don’t Just Toss It—Recycle It Safely
Swords, knives, and medieval weapons should never be discarded in regular garbage or recycling bins. These items can still cause serious harm, even if dull or broken. Fortunately, Reliks offers a free and secure sword recycling program to ensure these items are handled with care and don’t end up in the wrong hands.
You can bring your unwanted blades directly to our store or ship them to us for safe disposal—no purchase history required, no questions asked, and no cost to you.
What If I Didn't Buy It from Reliks?
No problem. The Reliks Recycling Program is available to everyone, regardless of where the item was originally purchased. Our goal is to provide a responsible outlet for bladed weapons of all kinds, focusing on where they end up, not where they came from.
Accepted Items for Recycling
We accept a wide range of bladed or medieval-style weaponry for safe disposal, including:
- Swords
- Pocket knives
- Hunting knives
- Kitchen knives
- Spears
- Flails
- Daggers
- Maces
- Machetes
If it has a blade or striking surface and poses a safety risk, we can likely accept it—with the exception of prohibited weapons under Canadian law.
Prohibited Items – What NOT to Send
We cannot accept the following items unless they have been permanently disabled or rendered non-functional in accordance with Canadian law:
- Switchblades
- Butterfly knives (Balisongs)
- Throwing stars (Shuriken)
- Push or “T” daggers
- Morning stars or any weapon with a chain between the handle and striking end
Important: Do not send firearms under any circumstances. Reliks is not licensed for firearm disposal.
How to Recycle Your Sword or Blade
You can drop off your items during store hours or send them by mail to:
Reliks
2-840 Dulaney Drive
London, Ontario, Canada
N6C 5A4
If you're shipping your item:
- Clearly mark the parcel “Reliks Recycle” on the label or packaging.
- If sending from outside Canada, ensure all customs paperwork is completed correctly.
- Do not send items C.O.D. or with unpaid customs fees. These parcels will be refused.
What Happens to Recycled Weapons?
Once received, all items are stored securely before being evaluated. Depending on their condition, they may be:
- Disassembled and de-edged (points and edges ground down) for safe metal recycling
- Used for educational purposes such as sharpening or repair training
- Modified or refurbished for resale (if compliant), with proceeds used to fund the program’s storage, labour, and disposal costs
Reliks is committed to promoting public safety and responsible handling of all bladed items through this community-based program.