Sustainable Development: Recycling in the Steel Industry
Steel products are one of the most recycled metals on the planet. These generate a low mass and volume of construction waste. The materials easily accommodate energy-efficient design concepts and enable minimal site disturbances.
ď ś Steel Production Steel is constructed using one of two production routes: basic oxygen steel making (BOS) and electric arc furnaces (EAF). BOS is based on the reduction of iron ore and includes 10 to 15 percent of scrap steel. EAF, on the other hand, uses nearly 100 percent recycled products. Steel can be recycled regardless of its origin. The method of production are complementary parts of the interlocking infrastructure of steel making, product manufacturing, and recycling. It can be recycled at the end of its purpose an infinite number of times without compromising quality.
ď ś Environmental Advantages Steel buildings can be designed to facilitate deconstruction at the end of their lives. This only means that parts can be recovered and used in future structures. This lowers the environmental burdens related to the manufacture of construction materials. Furthermore, this reduces the neighborhood pollution and disruption during the demolition process. Majority of steel is available for reuse and construction of other structures. This comes from different sources, including scrap generated from steel plants. The scrap needs to undergo a certain amount of processing, which varies depending on its size and chemical composition.
ď ś Recyclability Limitations There are different factors that determine the limitation to which steel is recycled. This includes the ability of the product to function as a substitute and the specifications of the final product. The costs of smelting and technical limitation also control the material’s recyclability. According to Corus Construction Centre, the recycling ratio of steel is around 80 percent on a global basis. The purpose and use of recycled steel has reached its maximum practical capacity. The material is leased for the duration of the current applications to be returned for recycling and reused time and time again. Steel drives the recycling of various consumer goods, including automobiles, appliances, and steel packaging. This benefits future applications and contributes to the sustainable development by eliminating waste and saving primary resources.
Resources: http://servicesteel.com/steel-tube-fabricationservices/ http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/steel .htm http://www.worldsteel.org/publications/positionpapers/Steel-s-contribution-to-a-low-carbonfuture.html