STEEL: Superior Environmental Compatibility
- All steel products, including cans and other steel consumer
packaging products, contain an average of 28 percent recycled steel, and
some products are made from 100 percent recycled steel.
- Founded in 1988, the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) works closely
with steel-makers, canmakers, food companies and other private and
public institutions to make steel recycling a reality that benefits
everyone.
- The recyclable steel container is a prime example of source
reduction in packaging. No unnecessary materials are used in the package
itself.
- All steel products are completely recyclable and are being recycled
today. With an overall rate of approximately 68 percent, more steel is
recycled than all other materials combined. This is a distinct advantage
for every steel product.
|
The increased worldwide concern for protecting environmental resources
means that conservation and recycling are major social issues. Since
packaging is a considerable portion of the solid waste stream, it is no
wonder that manufacturers and consumers alike are looking for products
that reduce waste at the source and can be recycled.
The Environmental Package
Throughout its life cycle, the steel can demonstrates responsibility
towards the environment. Investments in steelmaking have helped the
industry reduce the amount of energy to produce a ton of steel by almost
40 percent within the past two decades. And during that time, air and
water emissions have been reduced by more than 90 percent. No material
is wasted in the steelmaking process. Even steel scrap generated in
facilities is remelted to make new steel.
Scrap steel in canmaking operations is sent back to steelmakers so it
can be used again. In addition, millions of consumers today are helping
to recycle steel cans by including them in community recycling programs,
from curbside recycling to drop-off centers. And resource recovery
facilities recycle cans "automatically" with magnetic separation.
A Magnetic Attraction
 Because steel is magnetic,
it can be retrieved from the solid waste stream efficiently and
economically. Steelmakers buy back the cans or any other used steel
product and remelt them to begin the process all over again. The market
for recycled cans includes steel mills, foundries and detinning
facilities. New processes are being researched to enable even more steel
scrap to be used in place of virgin materials.
|
|
QUICK LINKS
Steel
Packaging: The Solution for Quality and Performance
The
Container of Choice for Foods and Beverages
Exceptional
Versatility for General Line Container Applications
Unexpected
Uses for Packaging Steels
Steel:
Superior Environmental Compatibility
Steel
Possibilities for Tomorrow
Cans &
Containers
Steel
Packaging
Shipping
Containers
Tin
Mill Technology
Canned
Food
Recycling
Steel
Shipping Container Institute
Steel
Recycling Institute
|
Steelworks Home 