benefits of steel
Start with the best material Nucor provides the highest quality steel produced from nearly 100% recycled material.
Recycled Content Letter Nucor has prepared information to calculate the recycled content of products being used in “Green Building” applications or for projects in the LEED® program.
Environmental Friendly Material
An average sized wood framed home requires at least 40 trees to be cut for framing, while the framing for a typical steel-framed home can be made from six recycled cars. The use of steel framing saves the nation’s forests and has a positive impact on the environment.
Because it is both recycled and recyclable, steel framing is not only a cost-effective choice – but a responsible choice for the environment. With a minimum of 25 percent recycled content, steel can be an important addition to any project where sustainable construction and design is a critical requirement.
And as a recognized green building material, steel framing projects can also earn credits or points for green building rating programs, as well as other government incentives. Some of steel’s many environmentally responsible attribute:
100 percent recyclable – Steel is not only the world’s most versatile material to recycle, it is also the most highly recycled material – more than aluminum, paper, glass and plastic combined. Each year, nearly 68.7 percent of all steel scrap in North America is recycled.
Built to last – Steel is highly durable and noncombustible and will not contribute fuel to a fire. And its galvanized zinc coating (a natural element) prevents corrosion, meaning the life of a cold-formed steel structure can last hundreds of years.
Does not contribute to the growth of a landfill – About 60 percent of the average landfill consists of construction debris. But because steel studs are straight and true, there is only a minimal amount of job-site scrap, which is also always recyclable.