1. Environmental Principles
Establishing an environmental policy is crucial for guiding corporate environmental actions. Many North American stainless steel producers, alongside the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA), adhere to principles promoting compliance with environmental laws while supporting economic growth. Key guiding principles include:
2. Environmental Management Systems
Effective environmental management requires commitment from top management. SSINA member companies often have dedicated Environmental Affairs Departments that ensure regulatory compliance and address environmental issues.
3. Materials, Energy, and Water Usage
The environmental impact of stainless steel production involves:
4. Pollution Prevention
Air Emissions: Emissions from electric furnaces and AOD vessels are captured through ductwork and directed to high-efficiency fabric filters for metal recovery. Acid pickling emissions are routed to fume scrubbers, with many operations employing chemical scrubbers for enhanced removal.
Water Treatment: All plant water is treated before discharge. Wastewater is collected from various sources, clarified, and filtered for reuse. Acid metering and recovery equipment in the pickling process minimize waste and recycle used acid.
5. Waste Minimization
Minimizing waste is a key objective in the stainless steel industry. Scrap products, including discarded pieces and packaging materials, are collected and recycled into the electric furnace to reduce solid waste generation.
6. Recycling
Stainless steel products are 100% recyclable, maintaining their value even after long use. Items such as kitchen sinks, automotive parts, and building materials can be fully recycled. The long lifespan of stainless steel minimizes the need for new resources, and scrap is collected globally for remelting, producing stainless steel of the same quality as the original.
7. Environmental Compliance Evaluations
Evaluations assess whether practices meet legal and internal environmental standards, with SSINA member companies adhering to these practices.
8. Participation in Cooperative Environmental Councils and Partnerships
The stainless steel industry actively engages with various governmental and environmental councils, including participation in the Common Sense Initiative, which aims to streamline regulations. Member companies have also contributed to the federal 33/50 Program, reducing targeted chemical releases by 50% based on 1994 data. Local involvement includes environmental initiatives like River Sweep and various recovery projects.
9. Communication of Environmental Activity
Effective communication reflects an organization's commitment to the environment. SSINA member companies utilize employee newsletters, training, websites, press releases, and public presentations to disseminate environmental information.
10. Environmental Releases and Sustainable Relationships with the Natural Environment
Environmental performance is often measured by hazardous waste released. The specialty steel industry recycles 100% of electric furnace dust for metal recovery and operates acid recovery units to minimize waste pickle liquor. All waste pickle liquor is either recycled or treated to render it non-hazardous before disposal.
Source: Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA).
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