Very High Recycled Content
Forms+Surfaces’ stainless steel typically has an 80% or greater overall
recycled content depending on the product and application. If you have
questions about the recycled content of specific products we invite you to
contact our in-house LEED Accredited Sustainability Manager for
additional information.
Extremely Long Life Cycle
Because stainless steel is so durable and corrosion resistant, products
made from it last much longer than those made from lesser materials. This
long life cycle benefits the environment as new material and energy
resources will be needed far less often to replace corroded or failed
products.
100% Recyclability
Scrap stainless steel has considerable value, so it isn’t discarded and
won’t end up in a landfill. Unlike many other recycled materials,
stainless steel isn’t “downgraded” during the recycling process: Stainless
steel scrap can be re-melted to make new stainless steel of a grade equal
to the old material; it can even be upgraded if needed with additional
alloying elements.
No Need for Additional Coatings
Stainless steel’s corrosion resistance is inherent in the metal and does
not depend on protective coatings. Using stainless steel in natural
finishes can eliminate adverse environmental impacts associated with
paints and solvents including off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
paint flaking and the need for periodic recoatings that add more unwanted
chemicals to the environment.
Low Maintenance
Stainless steel can usually be cleaned with mild detergents and a simple
water rinse. Solvents, acids, bleaches, abrasives and other harsh
chemicals that could harm the environment are not required.
No Corrosion Loss
The metal loss that occurs when conventional carbon steel rusts can add
potentially toxic elements to the environment and the lost metal can never
be recycled. Stainless steel corrosion losses are negligible and 100% of
the original material will be available for eventual recycling.
Modern Manufacturing Plants
Today’s high-tech mills produce stainless
steel in computer-controlled electric arc furnaces using recycled scrap as
the primary raw material. Manufacturing processes are optimized for the
most efficient energy use. Air emissions are filtered and solid particles
are processed for metals recovery. Liquid wastes are treated and reused to
the maximum extent feasible. Trims and other discarded pieces of stainless
steel are collected and returned to the furnace as recycled in-house
scrap.
Questions About Sustainability?
If you need to know more about recycled content, LEED standards or other
sustainability issues, Forms+Surfaces has a full-time LEED Accredited
Sustainability Manager ready to answer your questions. For a quick
response, simply send an email to
green@forms-surfaces.com. |
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