5 Ways Galvanizing’s Environmental Impact is Green
Prioritizing sustainable practices in all areas of industry is becoming everyone’s top priority. It is crucial to preserving our planet for future generations. It is also an essential part of making sure materials remain available.
Galvanizing is one process with a low environmental impact that offers long-lasting protection for steel. In fact, sustainability has always been part of the DNA of galvanized materials. The American Galvanizing Association states, “Sustainability is intrinsic to hot-dip galvanized steel and is a message the galvanizing industry promoted long before sustainable design became a trend.”
Here are five ways galvanizing environmental impact is green:
1. Galvanizing Lasts Longer, Requiring Fewer Materials to Achieve the Same Results
One of the reasons hot-dip galvanizing has become the method of choice for coating and protecting steel is its longevity. Galvanized coatings can last for decades. This means the original materials do not need constant repairs or replacements every couple of years. A longer lifespan means more raw materials that remain available for future projects. This helps to lower galvanizing’s environmental impact.
2. Fewer Materials AND Fewer Factory Emissions
The long lifespan of galvanized materials benefits the environment in more ways than one! Forbes reports that the majority of energy used in the iron and steel industry sectors is used to produce crude steel. When crude steel is hot-dip galvanized and lasts longer, less of it needs to be produced. Less need for new materials means less factory power to maintain existing infrastructures over time.
Additionally, galvanizing requires less electricity and gas to heat the steel during the coating process. So, galvanizing reduces the amount of manufacturing emissions in multiple ways, keeping galvanizing’s environmental impact low.
3. Hot Dip Galvanizing Uses Natural Compounds
The hot-dip galvanizing process uses zinc, an abundant and natural element, to coat and protect steel. When compared to its alternatives, like epoxy or paint, this is much better for the environment. Epoxy is a type of plastic coating. Plastic pollutes the environment and can take hundreds of years to decompose. Paint is often toxic or fails to effectively protect steel from the elements, meaning more materials will be necessary to reinforce the structure when the painted steel corrodes.
Galvanized steel is solely composed of elements that are already present in the soil. This means that there are no harmful chemicals or compounds used in the process or being added into the environment. This further decreases galvanizing’s environmental impact.
4. The HDG Process Creates Less Waste, and the Materials Are Recyclable
Another way hot dip galvanizing is environmentally friendly is that the process creates very little waste. Any zinc that does not adhere to the steel during the coating process can be collected and reused. This is because it is contained within vats that melt it down for use. Zinc that flakes or falls off can easily be thrown back into the hot baths and melted down again.
Galvanized steel can also be recycled at the end of its lifespan or used without losing any of its protective properties. This makes it very sustainable because existing galvanized materials can be broken down to help create new ones.
5. Galvanized Steel Makes Other Environmentally Friendly Practices Easier to Put in Place
Galvanized steel has become an essential part of the structures of green power solutions. Solar panels use galvanized steel in their frames, and wind turbines use galvanized steel in their towers. Galvanizing these materials helps to extend their lifespan. It also makes them more resistant to corrosion. This can help reduce the environmental impact of these practices.
Galvanizing: Good for Infrastructure and the Environment
Galvanizing is an environmentally friendly process that benefits both consumers and manufacturers. The decreased need for production, lower emissions, and recyclability of galvanized steel help to make it a sustainable choice. This makes it even more appealing for those looking to protect our planet while maintaining their project standards.
Need Galvanized Materials for Your Next Project?
If you are ready to deliver a project that will stand the test of time while respecting the environment, South Atlantic has the materials you need In addition to our own inventory of standard galvanized building materials; we also offer galvanizing services to coat your steel.
Contact us today to speak to one of our experienced team members, who can help you find the best options and prices for your project. Visit southatlanticllc.com/galvanizing/contact to learn more!
