Is Steel Sustainable?

As more of us search for Sustainable Materials for our Construction Projects, Recycled Material is becoming more critical to the Construction Industry.

The Environmental Benefits of using recycled materials in Construction are now at the forefront of Innovation and Design, ensuring sustainable development of our Buildings.

Steel is vital to our economies and growth. With Demand at a High, and global demand expected to increase, it is essential that Steel has Sustainable Benefits and reduces any environmental impact.

So, what do we know about Steel and its Sustainability?

Recycled Steel

Steel is the most recycled material in the World and is using technology and innovation to reduce carbon emissions and boost a Circular Economy.

Steel is Recycled on an enormous scale, and its life cycle has the potential to be limitless.

Many Steel Construction Products are used in Domestic Buildings, Commercial buildings and Major Infrastructure Projects.

Steel Products include;

• Structural Steel

• Steel Columns

• Steel Beams

• Bearing Piles

• Flange Channels

This type of Steel is likely to be used in large-scale projects such as Office Blocks and Infrastructure.

Some of our Capital's most iconic Landmarks include high Volumes of Steel.

• The Shard - 9000 tonnes

• The Gherkin - 21 Miles of Steel

• The Cheesegrater - 2000 tonnes

• TwentyTwo - 4400 tonnes

• The Scalpel - 562 tonnes

• Canary Wharf - 27500 tonnes

• The Walkie-Talkie - 13000 tonnes

Steel Products for Smaller Construction may include;

• Steel Lintel

• Steel Beams

• Steel RSJ's

• Scaffolding

• Temporary Fencing

• Light Equipment

• Steel Props

• Plaster Beads

The list has the potential to go on and highlights the importance of sustainable products in the sustainable steel industry.

This Year members of the World Steel Association showed their commitment to Sustainability by Signing the Sustainability Charter.

Some of the Key Principles in the Charter included;

• Innovation & Prosperity

Develop Technologies and Innovations to achieve sustainable Development

• Climate Action

Address Climate Change and Maximise Carbon capture whilst minimising emissions

• Circular Economy

Maximise the efficient use of Resources throughout the Life - Cycle

• Environmental Care

All Operations should be Conducted with Environmental Care

• Safety

Ensuring Colleagues and the Public are Safe

• Ethical Operations

Ensure all Processed are Transparent and Ethical

• Responsible Value Chains

Ensure Practices are Responsible with the Value Chains

• Local Communities

Build Trust and Engage with Communities

• People

Ensure People realise their Potential and continue to Innovate.

Scrap Steel and the Circular Economy

Scrap Steel, Scrap Metal, and Recycled Metal are essential elements of Steel Production and Sustainability.

The Life of Steel

• On Average, around 85% of Steel goes through the recycling process at the end of its first life.

• 94% of Steel is Recycled or Reused when a Building is Demolished.

• 99% of Structural Steel from a Demolished Building is Recycled.

• 70% of Steel Packaging, such as food and drinks cans, is Recycled.

You are likely to come across a Steel Component almost every day.

Whether you are Travelling to work, Shopping, Driving, or simply Relaxing at Home, Steel is likely to be all around, and its Sustainability means it continues to be a core fabric of our Buildings, Transport and Environment.