Steel is North America’s #1 recycled material. The high recycled content of Corrugated Steel Pipe can be certified to aid in earning LEED® points. And, the pipe meets all AASHTO and ASTM prime pipe standards.

If you are looking for LEED® points, specify corrugated steel pipe and ask your NCSPA member supplier for a recycle content certification.

Sustainable Construction

There is a continuing and growing sensitivity to incorporate recycled materials in new construction. The U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit organization established in 1993, has been a leader as a green advocate and in developing industry standards, design practices and tools. Council membership includes representation from architects, engineers, builders and service contractors, manufacturers, developers, utilities, government entities and academia.  

The USGBC developed the LEED(Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System® as a means to promote the design and construction of buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. The LEED® building rating system encourages the adoption of green practices by giving recognition and visibility to appropriately qualified projects. Detailed information on the LEED® rating system can be obtained at www.leedbuilding.org.

Recycled Content

Steel contains a high percentage of recycled material, the exact amount depending on the steelmaking process as shown below:

Steelmaking Process: (Source: Steel Recycling Institute www.recycle-steel.org)	Basic Oxygen Furnace	Electric Arc Furnace
Total Recycled Content*	31.0%	96.4%
Recycle Content Value for LEED Certification:
Post-Consumer Content Value	23.0%	58.6%
Post-Industrial Content Value	7.3%	32.6%

*Details add to less than total due to exclusion of “home scrap” for LEED’s purposes. Check web site for most current data.

The recycled content of corrugated steel pipe is significant. Accordingly, specifying CSP can greatly assist in earning LEED® points in the “Material & Resources Credit 4” category.

While others may promote eco-friendly drainage materials, care should be taken to ensure their product conforms to AASHTO drainage pipe design and product specifications. Prime CSP, by nature, has a high recycled content and is routinely certified for compliance to AASHTO specifications. NCSPA members, on request, can also certify the recycle content for LEED’s® qualification purposes.

Sustainable Construction Links

• US Green Building Council: www.usgbc.org
• Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design: www.leedbuilding.org
• Steel Recycling Institute: www.recycle-steel.org

Steel Takes LEED with Recycled Content