Since the early 1970's, the North American steel industry has invested over $60 billion in becoming a more sustainable industry. In a typical year, more than 15 percent of the steel industry's capital expenditures are directed towards environmental improvement. These investments have had notable results, including:

• Steel is the most recycled material in the world--including more than 82 million tons in the U.S. alone in 2008. More steel is recycled annually than all other materials, including aluminum, glass, and paper combined.
• The U.S. Steel Industry has exceeded Kyoto accords for improvement by more than 240%. If every individual and segment of the U.S. economy achieves the same energy improvements as the steel industry, the U.S. would EXCEED Kyoto accords.
• The US steel industry has reduced its energy intensity/ton of steel shipped by 31% since 1990.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: GHG/ton of steel shipped have been reduced by nearly 45% since 1975.
• Air and water emissions are 90% lower today than 10 years ago.
• More than 95 percent of the water used for steelmaking is recycled--often returning water cleaner than when taken from its source.
• Virtually all hazardous waste once generated by the steel industry is now being recycled for recovery for beneficial use.
• For each of the past 10 years, the U.S. steel producers have experienced fewer injuries than the manufacturing average and achieved nearly a 50% reduction in the major statistical measures over the same period--even while reaching record levels of productivity.
• ONLY the North American steel industry has reduced energy demands while still increasing production.