Just as Lewis and Clark’s journey in the early 19th century defined the way west for countless others to follow, so too has the steel industry been the pathfinder for the modern green movement
Since the day in March of 1862 when the ironclads Monitor and Merrimac dueled to a draw at the Civil War Battle of Hampton Roads, iron—and its derivative steel—have not only revolutionized warfare, they have been the backbone of the industrial revolution that was to begin in earnest following the end of the Civil War. As well, due to its excellent tensile strength, steel has changed the way we build the built environment, from roads to bridges to skyscrapers.
Steel has long been the material of choice for the modern construction industry, from the time the first skyscrapers rose from the ashes of the great Chicago fire of 1871 till today. For the world’s first suspension bridge the Brooklyn Bridge (1883), spanning the East River between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, steel made it possible. Having the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any building material, steel is lightweight as compared to other building materials such as masonry or concrete. Steel provides an easy-to-use, durable, versatile and cost-effective means by which structures can be quickly and efficiently built. Best yet, it has long been recycled and is an entirely recyclable material. For more than 150 years, iron and steel have been recycled. In North America alone, there are approximately 12,000 auto dismantlers and 1,500 scrap processors—many of which have been in business since the 19th Century.