Sustainability Myths and Realities of Structural Steel
Steel production and their environmental impacts
Sponsored by American Institute of Steel Construction
This presentation dispels common myths about the environmental sustainability of the U.S. structural steel industry. It explains the two primary methods of steel production (BOF and EAF) and their environmental impacts, focusing on the benefits of the EAF process, which uses recycled steel scrap as its primary input. The presentation also details how the industry uses Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to transparently report the environmental impact of its products. It also compares the carbon emissions of the U.S. steel industry to other countries and industries, highlighting its relatively low emissions. Finally, the presentation emphasizes the recyclability of steel and its minimal contribution to landfill waste.
The American Institute of Steel Construction is a non-partisan, not-for-profit technical institute and trade association representing the structural steel industry. AISC provides technical assistance and complimentary conceptual solutions to architects, engineers, code officials, and educators to promote better, safer, and more economical buildings, bridges, and other structures framed with structural steel.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Explain the differences between EAF and BOF steel production and their environmental impacts.
- Identify the significant environmental benefit of using structural steel in construction.
