How Sustainable is Steel?

Steel is everywhere. Cities are built with it; industries rely on it and the future is forged in it. Steel is in nearly every aspect of modern living because of its strength, toughness, durability, and resistance to corrosion and extreme temperatures. Whether it’s used as the skeleton of a skyscraper, as tire chains to keep your car on the road, or folded into a chef’s knife, steel is one of the most versatile materials available. But is it sustainable?

The short answer is yes.

Over half of all the steel products in use today come from scrap materials.

Steel is not only sustainable, it’s one of the most sustainable materials on the face of the earth. Steel is the most recycled material in the world and can be repurposed indefinitely without losing its properties or producing toxic runoff. This reduces the impact steel products have on the environment in every phase of its lifecycle, from raw material to its end use. Using recycled steel in structures reduces the environmental impacts over the building’s entire life cycle without losing any strength of structural integrity. Laclede Chain regularly utilizes recycled steel to not only improve the environment, but to provide our customers with faster, safer solutions without losing the integrity of the product.

Save money, save the world.

Steel is not a renewable resource. It’s mined from minerals and fossil fuels and cannot be replaced naturally.  Recycling steel not only reduces cost, but it slows the depletion of natural resources, and uses less energy to produce, cutting the use of CO2 by more than half. Recycling is highly beneficial, both economically and for the environment.

The link to a greener tomorrow.

Steel’s natural characteristics make it a great sustainable choice in terms of its almost endless recyclability, and application. That’s why we use steel remade, recycled, and reprocessed by companies in the USA in our chains.  These companies highly regulate the chemical composition to prevent impurities that otherwise might creep in through the recycling process and could then weaken the steel.  Better quality steel means better quality steel chain.

Made from quenched and tempered steel our chains are versatile in their use across multiple industries. We use U.S. steel not only to make sure you get where you’re going, but to ensure there is a world waiting for you when you arrive.  

Want to know more about our dedication to a durable product and a safer environment? Contact a dedicated expert at Laclede Chain today.