For many industries, sustainability is an increasingly important focus, particularly when it comes to engineering and construction. A question we’re often asked is – just how sustainable is structural steel?
Simply put, the answer is: very! Steel is one of the most eco-friendly materials available. It’s not only incredibly strong and long-lasting, but it’s also easy to recycle. In fact, steel is one of the most recycled materials worldwide. Plus, when you work with a steel fabricator that’s committed to continuously refining its operations to reduce waste and improve efficiencies (like the team here at Carver Engineering), you can be sure you’re making an environmentally sound choice.
Interested in understanding how structural steel fabrication can support your sustainability efforts? Read on to find out how…
Why is structural steel a sustainable option for your next project?
1. It’s recyclable
One of steel’s biggest environmental advantages is how easily recyclable and reusable it is. Steel has one of the highest recovery rates among materials. (That’s the percentage of usable recycled steel salvaged from the total amount of waste generated.)
Unlike other materials, steel retains its strength and integrity no matter how many times it’s recycled. This in turn helps reduce waste and minimises the need for sourcing virgin raw materials for your project, and lessens the associated environmental impact of mining and extraction.
2. Efficient production techniques
Thanks to recent advancements in steel fabrication technology, it’s never been more efficient to produce steel components. Here at Carver, our in-house CAD (Computer-Aided Design) capabilities eliminate guesswork, allowing our engineers to test designs, optimise angles and reduce errors – all before production even begins.
Precision technologies like CNC machining and automated welding help cut down on unnecessary energy consumption, further enhancing production efficiency. This is especially valuable in industries such as highways and energy, where large-scale infrastructure projects require reliable, sustainable solutions to meet agreed targets.
3. It withstands harsh conditions
One of the greatest strengths of steel (literally!) is its longevity. Compared to alternative construction materials, steel structures require fewer replacements, leading to a lower environmental impact over time. At Carver, we provide steel refurbishment services to prolong your structures’ lifespans further.
Steel has a high strength-to-weight ratio, which also means less material is needed to construct strong, durable infrastructure In sectors like marine and mining, where structures are put to the test against challenging conditions, steel’s anti-corrosive properties make it the preferred choice for walkways, bridges, pipes and industrial equipment.
4. Streamlined transportation & assembly
Prefabricating steel components helps to streamline assembly on site, and can help reduce emissions from heavy machinery and transportation. Overall, this can reduce the carbon footprint of industrial and infrastructure projects.
Despite their strength, steel structures are lightweight and require less fuel to transport and lift when compared with heavier alternatives like concrete. This efficiency is particularly important in large-scale energy and transportation projects where sustainability is a key priority.
5. Innovative design possibilities
Steel is an incredibly versatile material. This versatility allows for smart, innovative engineering solutions designed with sustainability in mind.
In marine and subsea applications, for instance, steel fabrication is used to create corrosion-resistant structures that withstand extreme underwater conditions. A great example of this is a recent project we carried out at the Port of Tilbury. We fabricated a hopper designed to handle abrasive materials and withstand coastal elements by using AR450 steel, a grade a steel specifically engineered for abrasion resistance (AR).
Similarly, in the mining industry, high-strength steel is used to manufacture energy-efficient processing and transportation equipment, helping companies reduce operational costs and environmental impact.
Sustainable engineering operations
At Carver Engineering, we understand that sustainability goes beyond the materials we use. We’re continuously refining our operations to improve the way we work and reduce our impact on the environment – efficiencies that we then pass onto our partners and clients as their chosen supplier and manufacturer.
Our initiatives include:
- Digital transformation: By transitioning to electronic documentation, we’ve significantly reduced our paper waste and improved communication across the team.
- Certified materials: We only use CE-marked steel, ensuring compliance with industry standards for quality and sustainability.
- Health, Safety, and Environmental commitment: Our ISO 9001, BS EN ISO 3834-2:2005, and NHSS 20 accreditations reflect our dedication to responsible engineering and quality products. Find out more about our accreditations here.
- Eco-friendly facilities: From responsible waste disposal to energy-efficient lighting and machinery, we continuously seek ways to improve sustainability in our workplace.
How is structural steel recycled?
Steel is unique in that it can be recycled at any point in its lifecycle without losing quality. We work with local waste disposal specialists to ensure any excess steel from cutting and shaping processes in our facility is repurposed or recycled, keeping unnecessary waste to a minimum throughout production.
Here’s how steel is recycled in a nutshell:
- Collection – steel scrap is collected and sent to mills or foundries.
- Shredding – the steel scrap is then shredded into smaller pieces that take less energy to process.
- Melting – the steel is exposed to high temperatures (up to 3,000°C) and melted in a furnace.
- Refining – the molten steel is then purified of any contaminants or debris.
- Solidifying – finally, the steel is poured into molds, cooled and solidified as sheets, bars or other shapes.
This process actually consumes significantly less energy and produces fewer emissions compared to producing steel from raw materials.
How can recycled steel be used?
Thanks to its high recovery rate and energy efficient recycling process, 85-90% of the world’s steel is estimated to be recycled, meaning you’ll find recycled steel being used across many different industries around the world.
Here are just a few examples of where recycled steel is used…
- Railway tracks & bridges: Thanks to its strength and reliability, recycled steel is commonly used in the construction of rail networks and steel bridge fabrication.
- Highways & roads: Guardrails, signposts, and rebar in road construction are all common uses for recycled steel.
- Marine applications: Thanks to its resistance to harsh subsea environments, steel is a key material for ship hulls, offshore platforms and subsea pipelines.
- Wind turbines: The towers and components of wind turbines are often made from recycled steel, supporting the shift toward renewable energy.
- Oil & gas rigs: Many offshore and onshore drilling structures include recycled steel.
- Power transmission: Recycled steel is often used in pylons, transmission towers and energy infrastructure.
- Mining shafts & conveyor systems: Recycled steel isn’t only environmentally friendly. Its strength and resistance to abrasive materials makes it an essential material for safe and reliable mining operations.
Start your structural steel project with Carver Engineering
Here at Carver, we take great care to use quality CE-marked materials, dispose of waste properly, and reuse materials wherever possible. If you’d like to find out how we can provide you with robust and durable steel fabrications that won’t let you down, we’d love to hear from you.
We offer a free no-obligation quote, so why not get in touch with us today to kickstart your next project?
