Do Scrap Metal Yards Take Filing Cabinets?
Why Scrap Yards Take Filing Cabinets
There are a few key reasons why scrap yards accept old filing cabinets:
They Are Made of Metal
Filing cabinets are predominantly constructed from steel. Scrap yards recycle all types of metal, including ferrous metals like steel and iron. The metal can be melted down and repurposed. Steel filing cabinets are one of the many metal items that scrap yards commonly accept.
Good Source of Profit
For scrap yards, filing cabinets represent a good source of profit. The metal can be extracted and sold to metal processing facilities and mills. While a single filing cabinet does not contain a huge amount of metal, scrap yards receive high volumes, making them a worthwhile item to accept.
Support Sustainability
Scrap yards also accept items like filing cabinets as a way to support environmental sustainability. Recycling metal reduces the need for further mining and processing of raw materials. It gives used items another life rather than sending them to landfills. Scrap yards provide an eco-friendly solution for disposing of old metal products.
What to Know About Recycling Filing Cabinets
When taking old filing cabinets to a scrap yard, there are a few important things to know:
Call Ahead
Before dropping off filing cabinets, call the scrap yard to ensure they accept them. Confirm any requirements they may have, such as removing locks or other components. This helps avoid issues when you arrive with the items.
Prepare the Cabinets
Filing cabinets usually need some preparation before they can be recycled. Remove any locks, keys, or drawers. Take out any non-metal additions like wood trim or plastic handles. Discard any paper inside. This leaves just the metal cabinet shell for recycling.
Transportation
Consider renting a truck or trailer if transporting multiple large cabinets. Alternatively, filing cabinets can often be taken apart for easier transportation in a standard vehicle. The scrap yard may even offer pickup service for a fee.
Receive Payment
When the filing cabinets are weighed at the scrap yard, you will receive payment based on the current rate for steel. Payment may be slightly higher with larger volumes. Expect to earn a small profit but not a huge payout.
Benefits of Recycling Filing Cabinets
Instead of letting old filing cabinets clutter up a garage or basement, recycling them offers many benefits:
- Earn money back on unwanted items
- Prevent cabinets from ending up in landfills
- Recover valuable steel that can be repurposed
- Support environmental sustainability
- Free up space in homes and offices
Scrap yards make the recycling process quick and convenient. With some preparation, those unused filing cabinets can be turned into cash and contribute to a greener planet.
What Items Do Scrap Yards Accept?
While filing cabinets are standard items accepted by scrap yards, they take many other materials as well. Here are some of the most common items brought in for metal recycling:
- Appliances – stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers, etc.
- Batteries – car batteries, alkaline batteries
- Bicycles and exercise equipment
- Cars, engines, transmissions
- Computers and electronics
- Copper piping
- Aluminum siding and gutters
- Lawn mowers and other yard tools
- Metal roofing materials
- Scrap metal from manufacturing
- Steel shelving, furniture and fixtures
- Water heaters
Scrap yards take almost anything made of metal, copper, aluminum and other recyclable materials. Contact your local yard to ask about their specific accepted items.
Questions People Commonly Ask About Recycling Filing Cabinets
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about taking filing cabinets to scrap yards:
Do I need to remove the drawers and locks?
Yes, scrap yards require drawers, locks, wood trim and any non-metal parts to be removed prior to recycling filing cabinets. This leaves only the steel shell.
How much can I earn recycling filing cabinets?
Payouts vary based on market rates, but generally $5-10 can be earned per average sized filing cabinet. Larger volumes will yield higher overall profit.
Do scrap yards accept paper from inside the cabinets?
No, all paperwork and documents inside should be removed and discarded or shredded before recycling filing cabinets. Scrap yards only want the metal.
Can I leave the paint or finish on the filing cabinets?
Paint and finish should be removed if possible, as scrap yards can only recycle raw, unpainted metal.
Will scrap yards come pick up filing cabinets?
Some may offer haul-away or pickup services for a fee. Otherwise, you will need to transport the cabinets to their site.
Conclusion
Filing cabinets are readily accepted at scrap metal yards due to being highly recyclable. A few phone calls can confirm local yards that take used filing cabinets. With some labor to prepare the cabinets for transport, they can be exchanged for cash payment and recycled responsibly. Scrap yards make it simple to sustainably get rid of old metal furniture and equipment. Beyond filing cabinets, they accept most metal items, so are useful for disposing of many types of unused steel, aluminum and copper materials.
