Recycling metal filing cabinets is an important way to keep these bulky items out of landfills. Metal filing cabinets are primarily made of steel, which is widely recycled. Recycling steel and other metals can save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and conserve natural resources compared to creating new metal products. This guide will provide tips on how and where to recycle metal filing cabinets in an eco-friendly manner.
Why Recycle Metal Filing Cabinets?
There are several key reasons why properly recycling metal filing cabinets is good for the environment:
- Conserves natural resources – Recycling steel filing cabinets reduces the need to mine new iron ore and other raw materials. It takes considerably less energy to recycle steel than to make new steel products.
- Saves energy – The energy savings from recycling steel rather than creating new steel is enormous. Recycling uses 85% less energy than making steel from iron ore.
- Reduces greenhouse gases – Less mining and steel production means fewer carbon dioxide emissions. Recycling steel generates 75% less greenhouse gases compared to virgin steel production.
- Keeps bulky items out of landfills – Metal filing cabinets are large, heavy items that take up significant landfill space. Proper recycling keeps tons of steel out of landfills every year.
- Creates demand for recycled materials – The more steel and metals are recycled, the more it boosts demand for these materials. This incentivizes further recycling efforts.
- Saves money – Recycling metal filing cabinets is often free or low-cost. It saves money compared to having bulky waste disposal fees.
Making recycling metal filing cabinets a standard practice supports environmental sustainability. The steel is infinitely recyclable without loss of quality, so recycling metal cabinets helps create a closed-loop circular economy.
How to Prepare Metal Filing Cabinets for Recycling
Proper preparation is an important first step to ensure metal filing cabinets can be efficiently recycled:
- Remove all contents – Empty out all files, folders, drawers, shelves, and accessories. Recyclers cannot accept materials with any debris or contents inside.
- Take out non-metal parts – Remove any non-metal pieces like wood or plastic handles, shelves, or lock mechanisms. These need to be recycled separately.
- Disassemble if possible – Take apart the cabinet into individual steel pieces if it can be safely disassembled using basic tools. This allows the metal to be recycled more efficiently.
- Check for hazardous materials – Some older cabinets may have lead paint or other coatings that could contaminate the steel recycling. Avoid recycling these.
- Clean surfaces – Wipe down exterior surfaces to remove dirt, grease, or grime. Clean metal is better for recycling. Avoid chemical cleaners.
Proper preparation removes waste and maximizes how much of the metal filing cabinet can be recycled. Any non-recyclable parts should be disposed of or recycled appropriately.
Where to Take Metal Filing Cabinets for Recycling
There are several options for where to drop off old metal filing cabinets to be recycled:
Scrap Metal Yards
- Overview: Scrap metal yards accept various metal items which they shred and recycle. This includes filing cabinets.
- What they accept: All manner of scrap metal including filing cabinets, shelving, appliances, and more. No non-metal parts allowed.
- Cost: Scrap yards often pay a small amount per pound of steel recycled. Larger loads may have a flat fee.
- Preparation: Ensure cabinets are fully emptied and cleaned. Disassemble into individual pieces if possible.
- Locations: Search for local scrap metal recycling centers or yards in your phone book or online directories.
City or County Recycling Centers
- Overview: Many municipal recycling locations have metal drop-off for recycling.
- What they accept: Varies by location but often includes metal cabinets, appliances, lawn mowers, and similar bulky items.
- Cost: Usually free for residents, or a very minor cost.
- Preparation: Remove contents, non-metal parts, and clean. Some locations may require scheduling or load limits.
- Locations: Check your municipal or county website for drop-off recycling locations.
Waste Management Companies
- Overview: Large private waste management firms like Waste Management often take metal for recycling.
- What they accept: Metal filing cabinets, appliances, scrap metal. Some may also take electronics, batteries, and other items.
- Cost: Often a flat per-load fee starting around $10-$25 on average.
- Preparation: Clean out cabinets fully and remove any non-metal parts, hazmats, etc.
- Locations: Use their website locator to find the nearest drop-off location.
Best Buy Stores
- Overview: Best Buy accepts metal and many other items for recycling at any store location.
- What they accept: Filing cabinets, any metal household items, electronics, appliances, cables, and more.
- Cost: Free to drop off two large items per day to be recycled.
- Preparation: Remove hazardous components like batteries, mercury, and clean thoroughly.
- Locations: Find a local Best Buy store for recycling using their store locator.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores
- Overview: Habitat ReStores accept metal cabinet donations which they resell or recycle.
- What they accept: Metal filing cabinets, shelves, tools, appliances in good condition for resale or recycling.
- Cost: Free to donate metal items in good condition.
- Preparation: Clean thoroughly and remove any non-usable parts or contents.
- Locations: Find local Habitat ReStore locations using their store locator web site.
Local Metal Recycling Companies
- Overview: Smaller local metal recycling firms exist in many areas.
- What they accept: All types of metals including appliances, cabinets, tools, machinery, construction scrap, and vehicles.
- Cost: Often free drop-off or a nominal fee for larger loads. Some may pay by the pound.
- Preparation: Remove non-metal parts, empty contents, and clean metal.
- Locations: Search online directories or local business listings for metal recycling near you.
Tips for Transporting Metal Filing Cabinets
Metal filing cabinets can be extremely heavy and difficult to move. Use these tips to assist with safe transportation for recycling:
- Use an appliance dolly or hand truck to roll the cabinets if possible.
- Lay the cabinet on its back or side and slide it along the floor.
- Remove the drawers to lighten the load if the cabinet can’t be rolled. Carry drawers separately.
- Use ramps to load the cabinet into a pickup truck or trailer for transport.
- Use ratchet straps, bungee cords, or ties to secure the cabinet in a truck or trailer.
- Obtain assistance from another person to share the load weight of carrying a cabinet.
- Wear protective gloves when carrying metal to avoid sharp edges or rust areas.
- Bring standard tools like screwdrivers and wrenches to disassemble if needed for transport.
- Make sure to lift safely from the legs using proper form to avoid injury.
Proper preparation and safe lifting techniques will make transporting bulky filing cabinets much easier for recycling.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions and answers about recycling metal filing cabinets:
Are all metal filing cabinets fully recyclable?
Most modern metal filing cabinets are made almost entirely of steel. Older ones though may have components that are not recyclable like lead paint or hazardous materials. Avoid putting any cabinets with non-metal parts or unknown origins into recycling.
Can I recycle metal filing cabinets for money?
Some metal recycling facilities will pay a small amount per pound for steel scrap like filing cabinets. Rates fluctuate with the scrap metal market. Larger commercial loads may get better rates than residential drop-offs. Don’t expect to make big money, but some cash back is possible.
Is it better to reuse or recycle old filing cabinets?
Reuse is better for the environment if practical, such as donating old cabinets that are still usable. But recycling is the next best option to keep the metal out of landfills. Many charities like Habitat for Humanity accept old metal cabinet donations.
What happens to recycled filing cabinets?
The recycled steel from old filing cabinets can be formed into new metal products like food cans, vehicles, appliances, construction materials, and much more. Steel is endlessly recyclable without any loss of quality or strength.
Can I put old filing cabinets out with regular trash pickup?
Probably not. Most residential trash services have limits on accepting large metal items like cabinets. The metal also needs to be recycled, not just landfilled. Take metal cabinets to a recycling drop-off location instead of leaving them curbside.
Is it better to dismantle cabinets before recycling?
If the cabinets can be safely dismantled using basic hand tools, taking them apart makes the recycling process more efficient and thorough. But if they cannot easily come apart, most recyclers still accept full assembled cabinets.
Conclusion
Recycling metal filing cabinets properly is easy and environmentally important. With some simple preparation like removing contents and non-metal parts, old metal cabinets can be dropped off for recycling at many locations like scrap yards, municipal recycling centers, Best Buy stores, Habitat ReStores, waste management firms or local metal recyclers. Safe transportation and lifting techniques will assist with getting bulky cabinets moved for recycling. Making metal filing cabinet recycling a standard practice saves natural resources and energy while reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions.