Pollution prevention in the steel industry -- Toward a zero waste plant

The zero waste concept can be applied to both integrated and minimills. Economic, regulatory and public pressures are forcing companies to continuously reduce environmental emissions. A zero waste perspective views environmental emissions as potential raw materials to be conserved or re-used rather than wasted. A structured zero waste methodology identifies appropriate manufacturing processes and insures bottom line cost savings. Implementing the identified projects reduces process wastes discharged, converts waste to economically beneficial material and develops new processes that eliminate waste. A successful zero waste program is incremental. The idea of a zero waste steel mill is approachable by the continuous reduction, re-use and recycling of wastes.