From the
production of steel, to its fabrication and use in construction
applications, the industry wants to make a difference to the
environment. Involved in recycling and reuse initiatives since
the turn of the century, the steel industry has reduced its energy
consumption on several steel processes and its CO2 emission by
more than 20% since 1990. The steel industry's commitments are
real, measurable and worldwide. We hope the resources below will
help architects and engineers build greener buildings.
The integrated
mill produces steel with the BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace) while
the mini-mill's process is based on the EAF (Electric Arc
Furnace). The BOF uses 25% recycled steel (up to 35%) and
the EAF is fed 90% recycled steel (up to 100%). Adding the
post-consumer and half the post-industrial recycled contents
will generally provide a 15-20% LEED value for a BOF
and 75-90% for an EAF. Most North American structural steel,
with the exception of some plates and coils, are produced
using the EAF. That is certainly the case for North American
W-shapes, for example. Note that both BOF and EAF processes
are needed for a global sustainable environment.
Steel Recycling
Institute
There is a specific
section adressed to architects and engineers, for dealing with
LEED requirements.
> www.recycle-steel.org/leed.html
The fact sheet is of particular interest. It contains typical breakdowns of post-consumer
and post-industrial recycled content of steel as a function of the process (BOF
or EAF).
> View
it here.
ArcelorMittal Dofasco Inc
A fact sheet from ArcelorMittal Dofasco,
containing relative information on post-consumer and post-industrial
recycled content. ArcelorMittal Dofasco is a major supplier of sheet
products used to manufacture steel decks and cladding.
> View it here.
Nucor-Yamato Steel Co. and Nucor Corporation
A letter from Nucor-Yamato Steel Co.
containing relative information on post-consumer and post-industrial
recycled content. Nucor-Yamato Steel Co. is a major supplier of structural
steel shapes. Comprehensive data sheets from Nucor Corporation are
also available. Nucor Corporation is a major supplier of beam, plate
and sheet products.
> View the LEED
references here.
Gerdau Ameristeel
A letter serving as
documentation and certification for the percentage of recycled material
utilized in the production of structural steel products, both in terms
of post-industrial and post-consumer recycled content. Gerdau Ameristeel
is a major supplier of structural steel shapes.
> View
it here.
Architects,
engineers: when you are involved in a green building
project, please make sure that the fabricator is aware
of this as soon as possible as this may influence purchasing
and pricing.
Steel Reuse website provides examples, guidance and more
The aim of this web site is to
help facilitate greater reuse and recycling of steel components
in construction. It includes information for designers, case
studies, resources, news, and postings of ‘available’ items
of reclaimed construction steel that are offered for sale. It
was developed in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada
and Ryserson University.
> www.reuse-steel.org
Sustainability and Steel II: Recovery
by Sylvie Boulanger and Sylvain Boulanger
Canada | Canadian Architect
Recovery strategies implies reuse of an existing structure or
recycling of steel products, extending the sustainable life of
a structure and the material through multiple recovery cycles,
thereby honouring the "from cradle to cradle" concept.
Paper includes pointers on achieving LEED points in Materials.
> www.canadianarchitect.com/issues> links to html archive
>
View it here. > long
unedited version
Steel Reuse Case Study
by Carmela Sergio and Mark Gorgolewski
Parkwood Residences - revitalizing downtown Oshawa through
the reuse of a steel frame building.
Advantage Steel No.25 link
The 3Rs of Steel: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
by Terri Meyer Boake
How to create more sustainable steel buildings through logical
means.
Advantage Steel No.26 link
Sustainability and Steel I: Integration
by Sylvain Boulanger and Sylvie Boulanger
Canada | Canadian Architect
From the onset of conceptual development, steel contributes towards sustainability
most efficiently when its design is integrated with other building systems
and conditions. Paper includes pointers on achieving LEED points in
categories other than Materials.
> www.canadianarchitect.com/issues > links
to html archive
LEEDing with STEEL
by Dr.Mark Gorgolewski
Canada | Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute
An excellent introduction to the LEED program and steel's place in it.
> www.cssbi.ca/Eng/_pdf/LEEDing-With-Steel.pdf
LEED, a primer
by Terri Meyer Boake and Caroline Prochazka
Canada | Canadian Architect
An overview of sustainable design categories in the LEED context.
> www.canadianarchitect.com > links to html archive
Thermal performance and life cycle approach to residential
framing
Canada | ArcelorMittal Dofasco
Selected conference papers prepared by ArcelorMittal Dofasco
engineers and partners.
> www.dofasco.ca/bins/doc.asp?rdc_id=2520l
Life Cycle Inventory
Belgium | IISI
The IISI LCI Study is a cradle-to-gate LCI- an inventory quantifying
inputs and emissions related to the production of a range of
steel products, from raw materials extraction up to and including
manufacturing. Data is collected for over 50 sites around the
world, making this study one of the most representative LCI's
ever undertaken for a material.
> www.worldsteel.org/ > links to LCA page