Everyone is “going green” these days. It’s a movement that is picking up speed all over the world, encouraging people to take better care of our planet.
So, you recycle; you compost; maybe you even buy an electric car or top your roof with solar panels. You may think that you are doing everything you can to be as “green” as possible, but you are wrong. There is more you can do.
Take a look at your house and your home appliances. What type of materials were used in their construction? Did you know that steel is actually one of the most recycled materials on Earth? The American Iron and Steel Institute estimates that 88% of all the steel in the world is recycled. As for North America, we recycle nearly 69% of steel each year.
By replacing your windows, doors, roofs, and household appliances with those made from steel, you are helping to reduce both waste and energy. In fact, for every one ton of steel recycled, approximately 2,500 lbs of iron ore, 1,400 lbs of coal, and 120 lbs of limestone are conserved.
Today, steel parts are more dent resistant and are 30% stronger than they were just a decade ago. More businesses are using steel in their tools and products as well as to transport those products safely and efficiently. Government grade strapping is used for moving bundles of bricks and other extremely heavy packages from one place to another. That’s how strong it is! As if that’s not impressive enough, the steel hinges on a refrigerator can support over 140 lbs of door weight without breaking or even sagging! It’s not recommended to have your teenage son sit on the door of your refrigerator, but if you wanted to, you could, and the steel hinges would hold.
It is a good time to be in the galvanized steel business, as everyone from regular homeowners to the packaging industry to the government is discovering the benefits of steel. The metal’s strength and durability are tremendous, and the impact the use of steel has on the environment is incredible.
