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Economics and Finances
ArticleName Steel as a required material for closed-loop economics
ArticleAuthor C. Broadbent
ArticleAuthorData

World Steel Association (Brussels, Belgium)

Broadbent C., e-mail: broadbent@worldsteel.org

Abstract

Recycling of steel can be complete and multiple, and recycled steel will have all required properties of this material. At present time more than 650 mln. t of steel is annually subjected to recycling. Steel has serious advantages, especially as construction material, in comparison with other competing materials. The technique of accounting of steel service life is described; it is aimed on the most efficient usage of resources and minimization of wastes and losses. A life cycle approach is very important in delivering true sustainability. Legislators and industry decision makers need to understand the importance of analysing the entire life cycle of a product before making legislative or manufacturing material decisions. Too many legislative bodies around the world still enact regulations which only affect the “use phase” of a product’s life, for example water and energy consumption for washing machines, energy consumption for a fridge or CO2 emissions whilst driving a vehicle. This focus on the “use phase” can lead to more expensive alternative lower density materials being employed but which typically have a higher environmental burden when the whole life cycle is considered. This use phase limitation cannot continue. Life cycle thinking must become a key requirement for all manufacturing decisions.

keywords Life cycle, environment protection, circular economy, valueadded products, steel, recycling, saving of resources
References

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4. Scoping paper: Mining and metals in a sustainable world, World Economic Forum, Geneva, Switzerland, 2014.
5. Steel in the circular economy: a life cycle perspective, worldsteel, Brussels, Belgium, 2015.
6. Lund, R.: Remanufacturing: The experience of the United States and implications for developing countries. World Bank technical paper, ISSN 0253-7494, no. 31. Integrated resource recovery series 2: World Bank and United Nations Development Program, The International Bank for Recon struction and Development, Washington, DC, USA, 1984.
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8. Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), World Steel Recycling in Figures 2009-13, 2014.
9. Allwood, J. M.; Cullen, J. M., et al.: Sustainable Materials: with both eyes open, UIT Cambridge, England, 2012.

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