King County Environmental Purchasing Program

Recycled Steel

All steel has recycled content. According to the Steel Recycling Institute, all steel is made with at least 25 percent recycled material and the recycled-content level is established by the type of furnace used. There are two kinds of steel making furnaces: basic oxygen and electic arc. The basic oxygen furnance uses about 28 percent steel scrap to make new steel. The steel from this furnace is made into thin sheets for cans, cars and appliances. The electric-arc furnace uses virtually 100 percent recycled steel to make products such as rebar and structural beams.

For more information on recycled steel:

Steel Recycling Institute (800/876-7274), sri@recycle-steel.org

American Iron & Steel Institute (202)452-7100, Washington D.C.

Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, (202)466-4050, Washington D.C.

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