Recycled Steel vs. New Steel: Which Is Best For Your Project?

If you’re embarking on a new construction project, you’re likely looking into steel supplies and have come across both new and recycled steel. You may think that steel is steel, but both recycled and new steel have their own advantages and disadvantages.

When it comes to recycled steel vs new steel, the best choice for your project will depend on a number of factors, including your budget, sustainability goals, and the specific requirements of your project. 

So, let’s take a look at what type of steel is best for your goals.

Recycled Steel

Recycled steel is made from scrap metal, and it’s a much more sustainable option than brand new steel. This is because the production of recycled steel requires significantly less energy and resources than the production of new steel. Additionally, recycled steel helps to reduce waste and conserve natural resources.

Advantages Of Recycled Steel

When making a comparison between recycled steel vs new steel, there are some great advantages of recycled steel. The first is of course its sustainability – recycled steel helps to reduce waste and conserve natural resources. The second is that recycled steel is much more cost-effective, being less expensive than new steel.

Of course, recycled steel is just as strong and durable as new steel, so choosing recycled steel will not impact the strength of your project.

Disadvantages Of Recycled Steel

There are a few downsides to recycled steel, including availability. It may be tricky to purchase recycled steel depending on where you live and the type of steel needed. Recycled steel may also contain impurities from the scrap metal it is made from. However, these impurities are typically removed during the recycling process.

New Steel

New steel is made from virgin iron ore and other raw materials. The production of new steel is a more energy-intensive process than the production of recycled steel. However, new steel offers a number of advantages over recycled steel.

Advantages Of New Steel

When it comes to the advantages of recycled steel vs new steel, new steel is always of a consistent quality, since it is made from virgin raw materials. It’s also more widely available than recycled steel, especially for certain types of steel.

Disadvantages Of New Steel

One of the more obvious disadvantages of new steel is that it’s less sustainable, since the production of new steel is more energy-intensive and requires more resources than the production of recycled steel. This can have a negative impact on the environment, due to the emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. New steel is also often more expensive than recycled steel.

So, Which Is Best For Your Project?

The best choice of steel for your project will depend on a number of factors, including your budget, sustainability goals, and the specific requirements of your project.

If you are looking for the most sustainable option, recycled steel is the better choice. Recycled steel is also a good option if you are on a budget. However, if you need a specific type of steel that is not readily available in recycled form, or if you need steel of a consistent quality, new steel may be the better choice. New steel is also a good option if you are concerned about the presence of impurities in recycled steel.

There are other aspects to consider too when you’re comparing recycled steel vs new steel for a project, such as application. What type of project are you using the steel for? Certain applications, such as structural steel, may require new steel for its superior strength and durability. Or, if you’re using the steel for a visible application, such as a decorative piece, you may want to choose new steel for its consistent finish.

It’s also worth considering that, while recycled steel is often less expensive than new steel, the cost can vary depending on the type of steel and the current market conditions.

Contact AST: The Steel Professionals

If you’re looking to source steel for your project, get in touch with us. Whether you’re sourcing steel for your next project or looking to export steel to Australia, we’re here to make the process as straight-forward as possible.