Across the United States, community standards are evolving when it comes to Green Construction practices on projects. In addition, a growing number of construction related enterprises are focusing on “greening up” their new construction.
Those associated with construction projects are continually on the hunt for materials that are more environmentally friendly.
Recycled metals reduces the impact of new construction on the environment. A look at the volume of metal recycling that occurs each year in the United States is illuminating.
Recycled Metals
The volume of copper recycled in the United States is enough to fill the copper content of a whopping 26,000 Statues of Liberty. What if all of the recycled aluminum in the United States, was used only to make soda cans? The result would be enough to line up cans for 25 million miles. That is the distance from Earth to the planet Venus.
Considering all the metal recycled annually in the United States, including steel. The amount reprocessed is 250 billion pounds. That is the recycled equivalent of 70 million automobiles.
The use of steel, included recycled steel, continues to be a major component of green-focused new construction. There are a number of reasons why steel, including steel pipe, is a key factor in a growing number of environmentally friendly construction projects.
Recycled Steel in Pipes
The majority of steel utilized in steel pipe is recycled. The process of recycling steel significantly lessens the impact on the environment when contrasted with manufacturing new steel pipe.
Recycling steel in the production of steel pipe sharply reduces energy consumption. In addition, the recycling process itself lessens the amount of scrap steel that ends up in landfills.
Steel Pipe Piles and Green New Construction Projects
When used in steel pipe piles, they contribute to an overall environmentally friendly construction process. Steel pipe piles are used on construction projects that have areas in which shallow soil is not strong enough to support the load associated with a new structure.
Steel Pipe Pile Used Underground
A steel pipe pile effectively transfers the heavy load associated with a building or other structure to stronger soil layers or rock formations that exist further underground. Steel piles are commonly incorporated into a building project that is near a body of water such as a lake, river or ocean. These are often used in the construction of bridges and docks too.
Steel pipe piles are also utilizes in road and highway construction, railroad and subway projects, and oil fields. Indeed, the utilization of steel pipe piles is ubiquitous in this day and age.
We’ve discussed practical benefits associated with using steel pipe piles. They can also be incorporated into an environmentally friendly construction project. There are a number of reasons why steel pipe piles do advance environmentally friendly construction projects of various types.
Environmentally Friendly
First, the placement of steel pipe piles underground does not have a negative impact on soil, air, or water. The same cannot be said of other types of foundation materials.
Second, steel is one of the most frequently manufactured substances in the world. Therefore, even if a steel pile in a construction project is crafted from “new steel,” the vast majority of “new steel” will be recycled. In addition, “use steel” can use used in creating a pile.
Third, by utilizing used steel pipe, the environmental impact of a steel pipe pile is even less.
A steel pipe can be taken from an existing building and placed into new construction. No energy is expended when this is done. As an aside, keep in mind that the energy expended on recycling steel is far less than that used in manufacturing steel pipe.
Research Continues
Research continues to make new construction even more environmentally friendly. This ongoing research includes the continued examination of how steel can be used in the future of green construction.
This post is a collaboration and may contain sponsored affiliate links. All opinions are our own and for informational purposes only.
This post may contain relatable, relevant affiliate links. All opinions are our own and for informational purposes only.
Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Federal Steel Supply, Inc., a leading steel tubing suppliers of carbon, alloy and stainless steel pipe, tubes, fittings and flanges.