Earth – the Iron PlanetIron is the most abundant metal on Earth. It plays a vital role in many areas throughout society.
Iron is a natural resource made on Earth
Earth is called the “Blue Planet” and is an ocean world, but “iron” actually makes up one third of the weight of the Earth, and is the most abundant natural resource on Earth!
Iron atoms dissolved in the oceans bonds with oxygen to form iron oxide, which then turns into iron ore. Iron ore in the oceans build up to form iron ore deposits, which can then be mined for iron ore.
What is the relationship between iron and magnetic fields?
The “outer core (liquid)” and “inner core (solid)” at the center of Earth are made of “iron.”Molten iron flowing in the outer core flows generates a current, which forms a magnetic field.
Earth’s magnetism prevents harmful radiation from space reaching the surface of the planet, and helps to protect all living creatures.
Used in so many different ways around society!
“Steel” refined from iron ore helps support our lifestyles. It is found in household appliances like TVs, stainless steel utensils that are regularly used in the kitchen, and even outside for buildings, railways, automobiles and more.
In fact, more than 90% of all metallic products on our planet are made of “steel.” This is because “steel” can be re-made into anything, any number of times.
Re-made into Anything, Any Number of Times!Can be remade into pure “steel”, and is an excellent material for recycling.
Steel helps build a sustainable society!
“Steel” is very easy to recycle, and helps use our planet’s resources more efficiently. Recycling “steel” also helps to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and waste, which means it is environmentally friendly.
Five Advantages of Recycling “Steel”
Impurities can easily be removed from “steel”
Impurities can easily be removed from “steel”
When metals are made into products, they are mixed with carbon, alloy elements and other materials. To reuse these metals, they must be restored to their original pure condition.
Compared to other metals, these impurities can easily be removed from “steel.” (Fig. 1)
This means that steel can be restored to almost the same pure condition as it was before recycling.
“Iron” contains many impurities that prevent it from oxidizing. Blowing oxygen (oxidization) into “iron” inside a converter furnace (containing molten iron) removes impurities other than “iron.” (Fig. 2)
What is a converter furnace?
A converter furnace is a facility for purifying “iron.” It is a large machine resembling a cauldron into which molten “iron” is poured in. Blowing oxygen into the furnace helps to remove many of the impurities contained within the “iron.”
“Steel” is Endless = Can be Recycled Indefinitely!
Recycling “steel” indefinitely while retaining the properties of it as a material uses a method “closed-loop recycling.” Many companies are working together to use closed-loop recycling as the most environmentally friendly recycling method.
“Closed-loop recycling” as an indefinitely loop
Recycling Materials other than “Steel” have a Limit!
Many materials other than “steel” use “open-loop recycling” that has a limit
The quality of other metals and plastics become degraded each time these materials are recycled, and in many cases they cannot be recycled as products identical to their original. This means that these materials eventually become limited in use. In contrast to closed-loop recycling, this method is called “Open-loop recycling.”
More About Open-loop Recycling
“Cascade recycling” is a method where materials can only be re-made into different products, and “thermal recovery” is a method where materials are recycled into electricity or steam by incinerating them to generate heat.
Steel Cans are Excellent for Recycling!
Every year, steel cans have a very high recycling rate exceeding 90%.
There are many reasons, including (1) Cooperation of households and local governments, and (2) Processing plants located around Japan.
Steel cans have been recycled for a long time, and these days consumers are even more aware that empty cans are recyclable waste. There are also steel plants in more than 70 locations around Japan capable of processing scrap steel.
Steel cans have been recycled for a long time, and these days consumers are even more aware that empty cans are recyclable waste. There are also steel plants in more than 70 locations around Japan capable of processing scrap steel.
(1) High rate of sorting and collection by local governments and households
Almost all local governments in Japan separate steel cans (96.7% of local governments in FY2019).Households also play a role in sorting and collecting steel cans.
(2) Scrap steel processing plants located around Japan
Processing plants that use magnets to easily separate steel cans are located throughout Japan.These form a recycling network with plants located near major population centers.
Steel cans are always recovered using magnets at waste processing plants, even if they slip through the sorting stage.
Making money with steel and aluminum?
Recycling companies will not give any money if you take plastic products you have collected, but they will with steel and aluminum.
Environmentally friendly throughout a product’s life cycle!Eco-leaf program. “Steel” has a low impact on the environment throughout its life cycle.
Life Cycle Thinking
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
When thinking about “What actions are really environmentally friendly,” it is vital to consider the entire life cycle of products—from when they are “produced” until they reach the “end of their useful life.”
This approach to life cycle thinking is called “Life Cycle Assessment (LCA),” which focuses on the importance that products have on the environment by using figures.
LCA Assessment Scope for Steel Cans
This covers the impact that steel cans have on the environment throughout their entire life cycle.
“Steel” – the environmentally friendly material
“Steel” is often thought to be a product that generates large amounts of CO2 during production, but when considering the entire life cycle from when it is “produced” to the “end of its useful life,” steel is actually an “environmentally friendly material” compared to other materials. This is because CO2 emissions during the production stage are lower than initially thought, and steel has a very high recycling rate.
Steel cans made with “steel” are environmentally friendly containers, because compared to containers made from other materials, they have lower CO2 emissions from when they are “produced” until “they are emptied and recycled.”
Discover More with the Eco-leaf Environmental Label Program
LCA can be used to find out more about the impact that products have on the environment in an objective manner with figures. This system can also be used to help when choosing products.Information on the environmental impact of products can be discovered with the “Eco-leaf Environmental Label Program.”
Eco-leaf Environmental Label Program site
Search for registered businesses or products that are currently registered with the Eco-leaf Environmental Label Program.
This system is based on international standard ISO14025-compliant third party certification that uses the LCA method to analyze and disclose with values the environmental impact throughout a product’s entire life cycle, from extracting resources through to production, transportation, usage, disposal, and recycling.
Steel Cans also make Great Eco-friendly ContainersSecondary use to reduce food waste. Cans that are eco-friendly to use.
Eco Action to Reduce Food Waste! Keeping Food Safe and Secure
Steel cans are used for many types of foodstuff because they have a very long storage life compared to other container materials like glass and plastics.
Characteristics of steel cans mean they are “(1) Strong for a long storage life, and (2) Hygienic to retain the flavor and quality of contents.”
(1) Steel cans are extremely durable! High strength for a long storage life.
Steel cans are stronger than containers made from other materials. They are capable of withstanding the high pressures used during high-pressure thermal sterilization to keep canned food safe. Steel also helps keep foodstuff secure by protecting cans from shocks caused by vibrations or falling down.
(2) Steel cans have extremely tight seals! This makes them hygienic and helps retain the flavor and quality of contents
Steel cans are made from a material that has an extremely high level of sealing and prevents any air, light or bacteria from entering from outside. This eliminates spoilage of the contents, prevents nutritional content from leaking, and helps to retain flavor for a long period of time. This means flavor is retained for much longer than containers made from other materials.
Cans for liquid milk are actually amazing!
Since the production and sale of liquid milk in Japan was approved in 2019, steel cans have been used as containers in order to protect the quality of milk for a long period of time, even in harsh environments such as disasters.
Stylish designs and exciting ways to repurpose as one-of-a-kind cans!
“Steel (sheet metal)” material used for steel cans may appear tough, but are actually easy to work with and can be formed to create some stylish designs. Prints can maximize the way surface reflections appear, which allows for a broad range of stylish designs to be made.
Instead of disposing of steel cans straight away, cans with designs you like have many other secondary uses—like storage for small items or potted plants.
Recycling and reusing steel cans is one way we can all take part in eco action, by “using less = create less waste.”
What We Can Do to Protect the Life Below WaterMicroplastics is a challenge that the planet is now facing.
CO2 is not the only severe environmental challenge!
Microplastics flowing into rivers and oceans remain there almost indefinitely as they do not readily decompose. “Microplastics pollution” has become a severe environmental problem, as can be seen with Goal 14 Life below water of the SDGs.
This is a problem where tiny plastic fragments make their way into the oceans. They remain there almost forever because they do not decompose, and end up being consumed by marine life.
There concerns about health effects when people consume fish that have eaten these microplastics.
There concerns about health effects when people consume fish that have eaten these microplastics.
Products that used to be made from “steel” are now being made with different materials. This has increased convenience, but can lead to another major environment problem. Various initiatives have started around the world aimed at reducing the amount of plastics used. The figure here outlines the problem related to microplastics pollution.
Marine pollution is a much bigger problem
Plastic waste that has been disposed of instead of recycled, has been found in the stomachs and noses of larger marine life like whales and sea turtles. Non-biodegradable plastics—no matter how big or small—are a major problem to all marine life.
