Can You Recycle Metal Filing Cabinets?

Recycling metal filing cabinets is an excellent way to keep these useful office items out of landfills. With some effort, old metal filing cabinets can be given a new life through recycling. Here is a detailed guide on how to properly recycle metal filing cabinets.

Introduction

Metal filing cabinets have long been a staple in offices, providing secure document storage. However, as workplaces go paperless, many old metal filing cabinets end up headed to the landfill. Thankfully, these sturdy metal items are highly recyclable.

Recycling metal filing cabinets keeps their materials in use and out of landfills. The steel body and rails contain recyclable metals like aluminum and iron. By recycling a metal filing cabinet, these metals can be reclaimed and made into new products. This preserves natural resources while reducing waste.

Below we will explore the benefits of metal filing cabinet recycling, where to recycle them, how to prepare them for recycling, and other tips to follow for successful recycling.

Benefits of Recycling Metal Filing Cabinets

There are several excellent reasons to recycle old metal filing cabinets rather than sending them to a landfill:

• Conserves natural resources: Recycling the steel reclaims valuable iron and aluminum that can be made into new metal products. This reduces the need for mining new metals.
• Saves energy: Extracting and processing virgin metals consumes far more energy than remelting and refabricating recycled metals. Recycling filing cabinets has a significant energy savings.
• Reduces landfill waste: Metal filing cabinets are bulky, and material that can be recycled should not take up limited landfill space. Recycling keeps these materials out of landfills.
• Lowers carbon emissions: Mining and processing metal releases greenhouse gases. Recycling reduces these emissions and the carbon footprint of metal products.
• Earns money: Steel and aluminum have value when recycled. Many scrap yards will pay good prices per pound for recycled filing cabinets.

Overall, recycling metal filing cabinets is environmentally responsible. It reduces waste, energy use, emissions, and resource consumption while earning money back on the recycled metal.

Where to Recycle Metal Filing Cabinets

Metal filing cabinets should not go in your curbside recycling bin. They are too large and bulky for most residential recycling programs. Instead, you need to take old filing cabinets to a specialty metal recycling center.

Here are some places that commonly accept metal filing cabinets for recycling:

• Scrap yards: Check locally for scrap yards that take bulky metal items. Many will accept filing cabinets and pay reasonable rates based on weight.
• Metal recycling centers: Some recycling facilities specialize in metal and accept items like filing cabinets. They may pay for the recycled metal.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores: Some Habitat ReStores accept donated metal filing cabinets and will pick them up. The proceeds from their resale fund Habitat projects.
• Bulk pickup services: In some areas, you can schedule a bulk pickup for large recycled items like filing cabinets. Check with your municipal recycling program.
• Electronics/appliance recyclers: Businesses that recycle appliances and electronics may also take filing cabinets. Call around to check.

Be sure to call any recyclers first to ask about their policies, costs, and preparation requirements. This will ensure your old filing cabinets get recycled properly.

How to Prepare Metal Filing Cabinets for Recycling

Properly preparing metal filing cabinets helps ensure they can be efficiently recycled:

• Empty the contents completely: Remove all files, folders, drawers, rails, and other removable parts. Recyclers cannot accept paper or other contents.
• Take out non-metal parts: Pull off plastic handles, knobs, label holders, etc. Metal recyclers will not take mixed materials.
• Separate cabinets: If recycling multiple cabinets, they will need to be recycled separately. Do not stack or band them together.
• Flatten when possible: If the cabinets can be safely flattened without compromising the metal, do so to take up less space.
• Clean thoroughly: Use a strong degreaser to remove dirt, grime, adhesives, and any chemical residue from the metal.

Following these preparation steps ensures metal filing cabinets can be easily accepted and recycled efficiently. Any questions about a recycler’s specific requirements can be answered with a quick call before drop-off.

Tips for Successful Metal Filing Cabinet Recycling

Here are some additional useful tips to help your old metal filing cabinets get properly recycled:

• Contact recyclers to find the best rates and policies. Prices can vary significantly.
• Be prepared to transport the cabinets yourself to a recycler facility. Schedule a pickup if possible.
• Remove locks, keys, and reinforcements to maximize the recyclable metal weight.
• Cut away any fabric, plastic, or non-metal parts that may be attached.
• Research local metal recycling laws and regulations so you follow all requirements.
• Ask for a receipt from the recycler to document that your cabinets were recycled.
• Consider promoting your recycling efforts to motivate others to keep metal out of landfills.

With some time and effort, those old metal filing cabinets can be given new life. Proper recycling benefits the environment and puts cash back in your pocket. Use this guide to ensure your metal cabinets get successfully recycled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put metal filing cabinets in my curbside recycling bin?

No, metal filing cabinets are too large and heavy for most curbside recycling bins. You will need to take them to a metal recycling center or scrap yard that accepts bulk metal items.

Do recyclers accept filing cabinets with locks?

Yes, filing cabinets can usually be recycled with locks still attached. The locks and keys do not need to be removed, as they are also made of recyclable metal.

What about the rails, slides, and other attachments?

All metal rails, slides, bolts, and other attachments on a filing cabinet can also be included for recycling. Remove any non-metal parts, but keep all the metal pieces together.

Can I recycle just part of a filing cabinet?

Recyclers prefer whole filing cabinets whenever possible to maximize the recyclable material. But if only certain sections are metal, those parts alone can be recycled.

Is it better to dismantle filing cabinets before recycling them?

Generally no, it is best to keep filing cabinets whole for recycling. Dismantling them takes time and could result in lost small parts. Only flatten or dismantle if required by the recycler.

Conclusion

Recycling metal filing cabinets is environmentally responsible and keeps valuable steel and aluminum out of landfills. With some research and preparation, old metal filing cabinets can be given a new life through recycling. Locate a local metal recycling center, dismantle and clean the cabinets properly, and transport them to the facility for efficient recycling. This simple effort reduces waste while conserving energy and resources. By recycling metal filing cabinets, anyone can help build a more sustainable future.