Are Filing Cabinets Considered Scrap Metal?
Filing cabinets are often made of metal, which leads many people to wonder – can you recycle old filing cabinets for scrap metal? The short answer is yes, old filing cabinets can be recycled and repurposed as scrap metal in most cases.
An Introduction to Filing Cabinets and Scrap Metal
Filing cabinets are storage furniture designed to hold paper documents and files. The most common type is the vertical filing cabinet, which consists of drawers to store files hanging in folders. Traditional filing cabinets are made of sheet metal, usually steel.
Scrap metal refers to discarded metal materials that are recycled and repurposed. Common sources of scrap metal include old appliances, machinery, equipment, structures, and vehicles. Scrap yards collect and sort scrap metal, which is then melted down and recycled into new metal products.
So can old filing cabinets be considered scrap metal? Let’s take a closer look.
What Materials Are Filing Cabinets Made Of?
Most standard vertical filing cabinets are constructed primarily from steel. This includes the exterior cabinet shell as well as the drawers.
Some key points about filing cabinet materials:
- Steel – The most common type of steel used is cold-rolled steel, which contains iron, carbon, and small amounts of manganese and silicon. It is durable and strong.
- Stainless steel – More expensive filing cabinets may be made of stainless steel, which contains chromium for extra corrosion resistance.
- Aluminum – Occasionally aluminum filing cabinets are produced. Aluminum is lighter but less sturdy than steel.
- Coatings – The steel may be coated in paint, enamel, or laminate to protect and decorate the exterior. Handles and other hardware are typically metal as well.
So in summary, the main structural material is steel, with stainless steel and aluminum options too. This metal content is what allows old filing cabinets to be recycled as scrap.
Why Can Filing Cabinets Be Recycled as Scrap Metal?
There are a few key factors that make filing cabinets suitable for scrap metal recycling:
- Steel composition – Steel and other metals have high intrinsic value. The raw materials can be recovered and reused.
- Substantial metal weight – An average 4-drawer vertical filing cabinet weighs around 100 lbs. The significant metal weight makes it worthwhile to recycle.
- Reusability – Metals can be recycled repeatedly without loss of properties. Melted down filing cabinet steel is fabricated into new steel products.
- High demand – There is strong demand for affordable steel in construction, manufacturing, transportation, and other industries. Recycled scrap metal helps meet this need.
So while filing cabinets may be outdated for document storage, the steel content retains value and can be continuously recycled into new items. The metal quantity, durability, and reuse potential make filing cabinets a viable form of scrap.
Are All Filing Cabinets Eligible for Scrap?
While most traditional metal filing cabinets can be recycled as scrap, there are some exceptions to be aware of:
- Non-metal materials – Some modern filing cabinets are made of wood, plastic, or other non-metal materials. These would not be considered scrap metal.
- Thin metal – Cheap thin-metal furniture with light steel gauge may not be accepted, as it yields minimal usable metal when melted down.
- Mixed materials – Filing cabinets with excessive plastic laminate, wood veneers, or thick painted coatings may not qualify as scrap metal. Removing non-metal decor may be required.
- Contamination – Soiled, oily, or hazardous material inside the filing cabinet may contaminate the metal and prevent recycling. Proper cleaning is advised.
- Damaged condition – Heavily corroded, warped, or structurally damaged cabinets may not be approved as scrap metal. The recycling center will inspect cabinets.
In summary, traditional steel filing cabinets are eligible as long as they meet the scrap metal facility’s criteria for minimum metal content, condition, cleanliness, and lack of contamination.
How Much are Used Filing Cabinets Worth in Scrap?
Scrap metal prices fluctuate daily based on global supply and demand trends. On average, the scrap value of used steel filing cabinets is:
- Steel filing cabinets – $0.05 to $0.10 per pound of total weight.
- Stainless steel cabinets – $0.20 to $0.50 per pound.
So for a typical 100 lb. steel vertical filing cabinet, the scrap metal value is approximately $5 to $10. Stainless models may be worth $20 to $50 as scrap.
The limited metal content means each individual filing cabinet has relatively low scrap value. But recycling centers make profit by acquiring high volumes from industrial and commercial sources. For individuals cleaning out an office, garage, or estate sale, some extra income can be made by recycling unneeded old cabinets.
How to Recycle Filing Cabinets for Scrap
Recycling old filing cabinets as scrap metal is a straightforward process. Here are some tips:
- Locate a scrap yard – Search locally for a metal scrapyard or recycling center that accepts scrap steel and metal furniture.
- Prepare the cabinets – Remove any wood, plastic, or non-metal parts. Empty and wipe out drawers. Disassemble if required by the recycler.
- Transport the cabinets – Rent or borrow a truck to deliver the cabinets if needed. Scrap facilities may offer haul-away service for a fee.
- Inspect and weigh – The recycling center will inspect cabinets for acceptability and weigh them to determine scrap value payout.
- Receive payment – After accepting and weighing your scrap metal, the facility will pay cash or send a check based on current rates. Scrapyards process and melt down scrap metal in bulk to supply steel mills and foundries. Don’t let old filing cabinets clutter your space – give them a new life by recycling the metal!
Frequently Asked Questions About Filing Cabinets and Scrap Metal
Here are answers to some common questions about getting scrap value from old filing cabinets:
Are all metal filing cabinets eligible for scrap?
Most traditional steel filing cabinets can be recycled as scrap metal. Exceptions include low-grade thin metal, heavily contaminated/damaged cabinets, and those made of non-metal materials like wood or plastic. Scrap facilities inspect all cabinets.
How much money can I get recycling old cabinets?
It depends on weight, but $5-10 is typical for a standard 4-drawer file cabinet made of steel. Stainless steel cabinets are more valuable, around $20-50 in scrap based on weight. Scrap prices fluctuate daily.
Should I remove paint or other coatings before recycling cabinets?
Most scrapyards will accept painted filing cabinets, but removing thick non-metal coatings can make the cabinets more suitable for melting down. Removing paint is not usually necessary.
What’s the best way to transport old filing cabinets for recycling?
Borrowing or renting a truck, trailer, or van is ideal for delivering multiple large filing cabinets to a scrapyard. Some facilities may offer haul-away service for a pickup fee.
Can I recycle damaged filing cabinets that are bent or rusted?
Scrap yards will usually accept damaged cabinets as long as they meet minimum metal content requirements. But severely corroded or structurally compromised cabinets may be rejected.
What precautions should I take with cabinets that stored sensitive documents?
You should shred any confidential documents and thoroughly empty/wipe out drawers and cabinets before recycling, even if the files seem innocuous. Identity thieves search scrap bins!
Conclusion
Outdated metal filing cabinets are excellent candidates for scrap recycling. Their durable steel construction retains intrinsic value when melted down and reformed into new items. Most standard vertical filing cabinets made of cold-rolled or stainless steel can be recycled as scrap metal, earning a few extra dollars based on total weight. Always call the scrap facility in advance to verify they accept metal furniture and filing cabinets for processing. Recycling defunct office furniture conserves metal resources and gives the materials new purpose!
