Across the world, 60% of the general public considers building sustainably a priority, according to a report from the World Economic Forum—not just as a way to build more cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and weather-resistant infrastructure, but as a way to improve human health and well-being. Sustainable construction is about more than just reducing a commercial building or industrial facility’s carbon footprint, but about building a more resilient world.
If you, like an increasing number of people across the world, are curious about raising your sustainability standards, your questions about achieving those standards probably begin with the materials you use. Steel, for example, has been a staple of urban and industrial construction since the 19th century—but are steel and stainless steel sustainable?
In this article, we’ll dive deeper into sustainability in the steel industry—namely, what makes stainless steel a sustainable option and how you can take full advantage of its green properties for more sustainable, cost-effective, and resilient commercial and industrial construction projects.
What Makes Environmentally Friendly Steel Sustainable?
What makes steel sustainable? When many people think about sustainable construction, they turn to natural materials, such as wood, as replacements for steel and concrete. And they’re not wrong—construction materials like mass timber work especially well for large residential and commercial structures. But steel has its own sustainability bona fides:
Recyclability
Both steel and stainless steel are 100% recyclable materials—what this means is that after steel is recycled, it maintains 100% of its physical characteristics, such as durability, corrosion resistance, tensile strength, etc. It can be recycled again and again without losing these properties!
Across the world, recycled steel is sustainable steel. It doesn’t just cut down on material waste in the jobsite, either—in the steel production industry, the recycling process is far more energy-efficient and significantly less environmentally destructive than producing steel from virgin materials.
Maintaining high standards of sustainability in the steel industry relies heavily on the infinite recyclability of steel—70% of the steel produced to-date in the EU, for example, is still in use, thanks to recycling.
Longevity
It’s not just that steel and stainless steel are endlessly recyclable. You get a long service lifespan out of them before the question of scrapping and recycling them becomes relevant. Steel and stainless steel are known for their strength and durability—they can withstand harsh environmental conditions, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements and minimizing resource consumption and waste over time.
Stainless steel, in particular, resists corrosion, staining, and wear particularly well, reducing total maintenance needs and extending the lifespan of equipment and infrastructure in demanding industrial environments.
Energy Efficiency
On the subject of sustainable steel, cost efficiency and energy efficiency are the same side of the same coin.
Steel’s thermally conductive properties contribute to improved thermal efficiency in commercial buildings, and its versatility as a building material makes it an ideal choice for innovative architectural designs that can more easily incorporate energy cost-saving sustainability features such as solar panels or green roofing systems.
Steel’s high strength-to-weight ratio also means that less material is needed compared to other materials to build sturdy, resilient infrastructure, making construction and installation more energy-efficient.
Responsible Sourcing
Sustainability in the steel industry starts, of course, with steel producers. Today, many steel producers are striving to build greener supply chains to meet the sustainability goals of governments and industries around the world. These efforts include adopting cleaner technologies and renewable energy sources in the production process and using certifications like ResponsibleSteel Certification as guideposts for their sustainability practices.
The Benefits of Sustainable Steel
Taking advantage of environmentally friendly steel in your construction and fabrication projects doesn’t just make your project results more environmentally friendly in the long term—although that is, of course, a major plus. The same characteristics that make steel and stainless steel so useful for meeting sustainability goals also offer:
- Reduced long-term maintenance, repair, and replacement costs
- Faster construction timelines and reduced installation labor costs
- Reduced on-site waste and energy use and less disruption to surrounding communities
- Compatibility with a wide range of green technologies, such as solar panels, green roofs, environmentally friendly insulation, and other energy-efficient systems
- Improved resistance against extreme weather and operating environment conditions
By taking advantage of sustainable steel production, you join a long chain stretching from the source to well into the future to build not only your construction projects, but a healthier planet and local communities.
How to Take Advantage of Sustainable Steel Production
Whether you’re a construction contractor for commercial and urban residential properties, a pipe fabricator working for mills, production plants, and other industrial clients, you can make full use of steel and stainless steel’s sustainability credentials to deliver better results and meet your clients’ goals for environmentally friendly, cost-effective infrastructure.
- Seek out steel manufacturers who prioritize using recycled materials in their production processes.
- Source your materials locally to reduce transportation emissions and support local economies, with the added benefit of speeding up project timelines and saving on procurement costs.
- Implement waste management plans at your work sites to prioritize collecting and recycling off-cuts and leftover materials from your fabrication processes.
- Provide educational materials to your project’s stakeholders about the benefits of using sustainable steel to get them onboard with sustainable construction practices.
- Look to organizations focused on sustainability in the steel industry, such as the Global Steel Climate Council, Responsible Steel, and the World Steel Organization, to discover other ways to get the most out of sustainable steel.
If you’re on the hunt for environmentally friendly steel pipe, valves, fittings, structural materials, and other PVF products, American Stainless is here to help you find what you’re looking for. From stainless steel pipe and tube to galvanized steel for structures and supports, we source parts from world-class manufacturers with unmatched reputations for high-quality products and sustainable steel production—and deliver them ASAP to job sites across the US Southeast.
Contact us for more information about how we can connect you to sustainable steel manufacturers, or get your next project started by
FAQs
What makes steel and stainless steel sustainable materials?
Steel and stainless steel are sustainable due to their 100% recyclability, longevity, energy efficiency, and responsible sourcing practices. They maintain their physical properties after recycling and have a long service lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacement
How does sustainable steel contribute to energy efficiency in construction?
Sustainable steel’s thermally conductive properties improve thermal efficiency in buildings. Its high strength-to-weight ratio requires less material, making construction more energy-efficient. It also supports the integration of energy-saving features like solar panels and green roofs.
What are the benefits of using sustainable steel in construction projects?
Benefits include reduced long-term maintenance costs, faster construction timelines, reduced on-site waste, compatibility with green technologies, and improved resistance to extreme weather conditions. These factors contribute to environmentally friendly and cost-effective infrastructure.
How can construction contractors take advantage of sustainable steel production?
Contractors can seek manufacturers using recycled materials, source locally to reduce emissions, implement waste management plans, and educate stakeholders on sustainable practices. They can also collaborate with organizations focused on sustainability in the steel industry.
How can American Stainless assist with sustainable steel sourcing?
American Stainless connects clients to sustainable steel manufacturers, sourcing high-quality products like stainless steel pipes and galvanized steel from reputable manufacturers. They ensure timely delivery to job sites across the US Southeast, supporting sustainable construction projects.