Our environment is in dyer need of help. Finite resources are withering away, deforestation and the decimation of millions of homes for wildlife occur daily. Our waste levels are increasing year on year and as a result – so are our landfill levels.

The Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS) conducted a waste account report outlining the level of waste in Australia and how it is managed. This report showed that Australia generated 75.8 million tonnes of solid waste in 2018-19, which was a 10% increase over the last two years (since 2016-17). More than 50% of this waste was sent for recycling (38.5 million tonnes), while 27% was sent to landfill – that’s 20.5 million tonnes!

Sectors generating the most waste were:

1. Manufacturing: 12.8 million tonnes (16.9%)
2. Construction: 12.7 million tonnes (16.8%)
3. Households: 12.4 million tonnes (16.3%)
4. Electricity, gas and water services: 10.9 million tonnes (14.4%)

Over $17 billion was spent on waste services, with the Construction industry spending the most at $2 billion – that’s a 35% increase since 2016-17.

In 2021, it was reported that the steel industry produced very little waste, with over 97% of the industries raw materials being converted into other products. 69% of these materials were turned back into other steel products, 28% become co-products and only 3% became waste. As an industry, we are committed to minimising our waste contribution and greater impacts to the environment.

An average 185 sqm Australian home takes approx. 20 trees to frame. Over time, that’s acres and acres of forests destroyed. If you were to frame the same sized home with steel frames it would only take the steel from 5 recycled cars.

RECYCLABLE, REUSABLE & UPCYCLABLE – THAT’S STEEL FRAMES!

Steel is one of the most recycled materials in the world. Because it is magnetic, steel is easier and more affordable to recover from most waste streams including waste created but the construction industry. Globally the recovery rate for steel within the construction sector is a whopping 85%

Steel can be infinitely recycled but steel scraps from lower value steel products can be converted to higher value steels through the art and science of metallurgy. That’s not typically the case for other building materials like concrete, wood or aluminium, where the quality of their recycled materials is often downgraded or downcycled leading to a limited lifespan.

The steel we use at Metframe Australia to manufacture our high quality steel frames and trusses, is partially made using recycled steel – old cars in fact.  Our steel frames and trusses are also 100% recyclable and can be infinitely recycled without ever losing their quality.  Few building materials can claim that.

CONSTRUCTION WITH MINIMAL WASTE COSTS OR REDUCE YOUR CONSTRUCTION WASTE COSTS

Steel frames offer decades of durable. The average life for steel products is approx. 40 years. In the case of steel frames used in building and infrastructure, the average life can be up 100 years+. And even after all those years, you can still recycle that steel.

Steel framing is highly accurate. Precise engineering and advance technologies both in design software’s and state of the art machinery mean there is little manufacturing waste. There is also very little to no onsite construction waste – helping you reduce your waste disposal costs. And if there is any waste, it’s all 100% recyclable.

STEEL FRAMES ARE THE GREENER CHOICE

We can significantly reduce our effect on the planet by using recycled materials, like steel frames and trusses for your buildings, instead of extracting finite resources from the ground.

It’s long-lasting nature and ability to be recycled infinitely means steel frames are helping conserve natural resources and contribute to a more sustainable environment every time someone uses it to build something new.

Steel frames are the greener choice when it comes to framing materials.

If reducing your construction costs, while supporting a sustainable building method is something you’re interested in, contact our team at Metframe Australia to see how our steel frames and trusses can help you.

Resources:
– NASH – Fact file 5 – The Environment
– World Steel Association – worldsteel.org
– ABS – Waste Account, Australia, Experimental Estimates