Stainless Steel Is the Sustainable Choice

Landscape architects should be leaders in sustainable planning and design, helping to preserve natural resources for future generations. When it comes to aquatic design projects such as pools, spas, and water features, stainless steel is a more sustainable choice than concrete in terms of environmental impact, longevity, life cycle, and more. Environmental Impact It takes tremendous energy to create the components of concrete, particularly clinker. As a result, concrete production produces more carbon dioxide emissions than any industry except coal, oil, and gas. Massive amounts of water are also required to cool the heat created during the concrete hydration process. Plus, transporting the heavy core materials from factory to supplier and supplier to site requires significant energy. While steel production is also energyintensive, the American steel industry’s furnaces are among the most carbon-efficient…