How Much is a Filing Cabinet Worth in Scrap Metal?

Filing cabinets that are no longer needed or have reached the end of their usable life often end up being sold for scrap metal. The amount of money you can get for an old filing cabinet as scrap depends on several factors. By understanding what affects the scrap value of a filing cabinet, you can make an informed decision when selling or recycling your used office furniture.

Weight and Metal Composition

The most important factors that determine the scrap value of a filing cabinet are its weight and metal composition. filing cabinets are typically made of steel, which has a base scrap price per pound. The heavier the filing cabinet, the more it will be worth in scrap.

Steel filing cabinets are the most common and will have the lowest base scrap value. Filing cabinets made of aluminum will be worth more than steel, while old antique cabinets made of cast iron can command an even higher scrap price per pound.

When scrapping a filing cabinet, the goal is to maximize its weight while also targeting the most valuable metal types. Heavy steel cabinets will return more cash than lightweight models.

Condition and Disassembly

The overall condition of a used filing cabinet also affects how much it will be worth for scrap. Cabinets that are damaged, rusty, or painted typically have a lower scrap value.

Intact filing cabinets that can be scrapped as a whole unit will be worth more than ones that have been taken apart. The reason is that there is more labor involved in separating and cleaning individual metal components.

Sometimes disassembly is unavoidable if you need to transport the filing cabinet or accommodate a scrapyard’s requirements. But keeping the cabinet whole until pickup or drop-off is ideal.

Scrap Yard Prices

Scrap yards establish their own pricing for the types of metals they accept. Market prices fluctuate daily based on supply and demand. So one scrapyard may pay a different rate per pound than another, even in the same geographic area.

It helps to call around to a few local yards and get price quotes. You can then determine where you’ll get the most money for your filing cabinet based on its weight and materials. Many yards also post daily pricing on their websites.

Some key factors that affect a scrapyard’s prices include:

• Local supply and demand – If many people are scrapping filing cabinets in your area, prices may decrease with oversupply. Less competition means your scrap is worth more.
• Market prices – Scrap yards must stay competitive. When broader commodity markets increase prices for metals like steel, aluminum, and iron, scrapyards follow suit.
• Processing costs – Facilities must cover their labor, equipment, and overhead costs. Better prices may reflect a yard’s lower operational expenses.
• Scrap purity – Cleaner metal with less paint, rust, or other contamination has higher value than dirty scrap with more waste.

Estimating Scrap Value

It’s impossible to give an exact dollar amount for how much a filing cabinet will return in scrap. But here are some ballpark figures based on typical market rates:

• Steel filing cabinets – $0.05 – $0.15 per pound
• Aluminum filing cabinets – $0.30 – $0.60 per pound
• Cast iron cabinets – $0.10 – $0.25 per pound

So a heavy 100 lb. steel filing cabinet could get $5 to $15 as scrap metal. A 50 lb. aluminum cabinet could yield $15 to $30. If you have a vintage 200 lb. cast iron cabinet, it might be worth $20 to $50 to the right scrap buyer.

The condition, location, and daily market rates will move these numbers up or down. But this provides a rough estimate based on average scrap prices for filing cabinet metals.

Preparing & Selling for Scrap

To maximize your payout:

• Call around for quotes to find the best local price
• Clean out the cabinet and remove any non-metal parts
• Disassemble only if required to transport or by the scrapyard
• Make sure you can provide proof of ownership if asked
• Get a dependable scale to weigh your cabinet for accurate payment
• Remove any locks to avoid being deducted for buried non-metal pieces

With some planning and research, you can turn that old unused filing cabinet in the basement or office into extra cash. Finding the right scrapyard to buy your specific type of metal scrap is key.

Alternatives to Selling for Scrap

While many obsolete filing cabinets ultimately get scrapped, there are some other options than can potentially make your used cabinet worth more than just its raw metal value:

Refurbishing and Reselling

Vintage metal office furniture has become quite popular for home decor. Mid-century filing cabinets by designers like Art Metal or Cole Steel are sought after by collectors. Even basic old metal cabinets can be cleaned up, painted, and re-purposed. Consider fixing up and reselling your cabinet rather than scrapping it.

Donating for Reuse

Local charities, schools, churches, and non-profits often accept donated furniture and cabinets. You can declutter your space while supporting a good cause. Just make sure to call first and find out their policies on accepting used filing cabinets.

Recycling and Upcycling

Beyond traditional recycling, get creative with an old filing cabinet by giving it new life. These durable metal cabinets can have almost endless possibilities as DIY furniture projects with just a little imagination and elbow grease.

Key Takeaways

• The scrap metal value of a filing cabinet is primarily based on its weight and materials used. Steel is the cheapest while aluminum and cast iron have higher scrap prices.
• Intact cabinets and keeping all the metal components together will return more cash than disassembled units.
• Check with multiple scrapyards for quotes. Scrap values per pound fluctuate daily based on market rates in your area.
• Cabinets in good condition, free of rust and paint, will yield better scrap prices over beat up and contaminated units.
• Consider alternative options like reselling, donating, or upcycling before scrapping a filing cabinet for metal value.

Typical Questions about Scrap Value of Used Filing Cabinets

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about getting cash for old filing cabinets through scrap recycling:

How much can I get for scrapping a standard 4-drawer lateral steel filing cabinet?

For a standard 36″ wide x 18″ deep x 52″ tall lateral steel filing cabinet in fair condition, you can expect to receive $10 – $20 at most scrap yards. Based on a weight of approximately 100-150 lbs and steel scrap prices of 5 to 15 cents/lb., a typical payout would be in the $10 to $20 range. Wide format lateral cabinets may weigh a bit more.

Are old antique wood filing cabinets worth anything for scrap?

Unfortunately antique wood filing cabinets have very little scrap value, unless they contain significant amounts of metal components. As primarily wood construction, scrap yards cannot process them and would likely reject this type of cabinet. Wood can sometimes be recycled but generates little to no cash value when scrapping. Remove any metal pieces first and dispose of the wood properly.

Can I scrap a multi-drawer vertical letter-size filing cabinet?

Yes, vertical file cabinets can definitely be sold to scrap yards for cash. Be sure to empty all contents first. A standard 4-5 drawer letter or legal size vertical filing cabinet will weigh between 50-100 lbs. With steel scrap prices of 5 to 15 cents per lb., a payout would be in the $5 to $15 range at most yards. Larger models may yield slightly more.

How much are old color-coded hanging file folders worth for recycling?

Unlike the metal filing cabinets themselves, old hanging folders have virtually no scrap value. Scrap yards do not take paper products. The small metal tabs on hanging folders weigh next to nothing. Your best option is to reuse or recycle the folders if possible through local paper/cardboard recycling programs. Do not expect to receive any cash for scrapping old hanging folders.

Can I scrap a lateral wood filing cabinet with metal drawers?

This is a case where disassembly may be required to maximize value. The wood cabinet itself is not scrapable, but the metal drawers can be removed and sold to a scrapyard. The key is to separate the usable metal components from the wood body to avoid contamination. Drawers only weigh 10-15 lbs each, so total scrap value will be marginal. But some cash is better than paying disposal fees!

Conclusion

Finding out how much your old filing cabinet is worth for scrap is a matter of weighing it, checking current local scrap prices, and selling to the best bidder. With some companies now paying up to $0.60/lb for aluminum and over $0.25/lb for iron and cast metal, it pays to put in the effort. Any decent size cabinet could yield $25 or more in scrap value. So don’t just toss that old metal cabinet in the dumpster. Turn it into cold hard cash through scrap recycling!