Stainless steel sustainability evaluation
When checking the sustainability credentials of stainless steels, the following can be observed:
- Stainless steel is 100% and infinitely recyclable
- Stainless steels on average have 75%+ recycled content in Europe and the USA, 31% in China and 60% elsewhere
- Stainless steels have an operating life of at least 110 years with zero or minimal maintenance
- Because stainless steel is both reusable and recyclable, it is avoided being sent to landfill at the end of operational life
- Stainless steel can be very easily salvaged and reused and the global supply chain to do this is firmly in place
- Since the material does not need any coatings, it has zero emissions when in use
- Stainless steel helps improve indoor air quality since no VOCs are needed nor emitted. The material does not support bacterial or virus growth
- Due to zero need for any protective or antibacterial coatings the use of toxic materials is avoided
- Stainless steel reflective panels add natural light, avoiding the need for artificial light
- Stainless steel can extend the life of co-materials, reducing the overall quantity needed
- Using stainless steel saves energy in the production of co-materials (less co-materials needed) and operational energy loss (reduction in heat loss due to the reflective benefit and reduction in maintenance needs)
- Stainless steels can help conserve water in the form of non-leaking seismic water lines and water tanks