Sustainability

Steel’s contributions to helping achieve the triple bottom line of environmental, economic and societal sustainability make it vital to achieving the needs of today without impacting society’s ability to meet the needs of the future.

• The steel industry is fundamental to the manufacturing sector and to the overall North American economy—accounting for more than $520 billion in economic output and nearly two million jobs in 2017 when considering the direct, indirect (supplier) and induced impacts.
• The steel industry is critical to daily life, domestic infrastructure and national security, providing for more fuel-efficient, safe cars, innovating infrastructure with lighter utility poles and bridges, lowering energy consumption and costs with steel roofing and giving access to nutrition in times of emergency and financial need.
• Steel advances the quality of life North Americans enjoy through innovation and proven performance through five-star safety rated auto bodies, durable framing for buildings that holds up in high winds, earthquakes and fire and eliminating food waste with pre-measured packaging with a long, stable shelf-life.
• Codes and standards for steel construction enable designers and builders to utilize more cost-effective and efficient practices, which ultimately improves stakeholders’ bottom line.
• The steel industry is actively dedicated to meeting society’s needs and advancing environmental stewardship, achieving a 35 percent reduction in energy intensity and a 37 percent reduction in greenhouse gas intensity since 1990.
• When looking at the energy-intensive production processes of competing materials in the auto sector, vehicles using high-strength steels provide significant reduction in emissions