4 ways aluminium is a sustainable solution
Known as the green metal, aluminium is the primary resource Webforge uses for its grating and handrail systems. It's light, versatile and so much more. It's the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust according to Geoscience Australia and is used in everything from kitchen utensils to aeroplane parts. Let's go over four reasons why aluminium is so sustainable and why we use the material for our grating and handrails.
Aluminium is one of our primary handrail materials.1. Aluminium weighs of steel
The weight of metal might not always be the first thing you think of when you consider sustainability, but it plays a major factor in transportation.
We all know that gas emissions affect the climate negatively, so using more gas can be detrimental to the atmosphere. Heavier metals like steel take more gas to transport because the engine must work harder to move the vehicle forward.
For example, 50 kilograms of additional weight on a truck can reduce its fuel economy by 1%, so a lighter load can help improve petrol consumption significantly.
2. It's the most recyclable material in the world
The incredible part of aluminium that makes it such a worthwhile material is that it can be endlessly recycled without losing its value. According to the publication, Aluminium, 75% of all aluminium ever produced is used today. The energy saved from producing new aluminium saves the overall carbon footprint of the construction industry as a whole.
Smelting to recycle aluminium is a matter of crushing the material together, melting it together and then casting the molten aluminium into ingots, or trapezoidal containers to be cooled and stored. Our aluminium is not only recycled, but sourced from Australian producers — this cuts down on transportation and supports the local economy.
3. Reduced energy consumption
This process of recycling aluminium only takes 5% of the energy it would to produce new metal.
Aluminium production uses heaps of energy and water which causes higher carbon emissions. The primary rock that makes up aluminium is bauxite which is found near the surface of Earth's crust. While it doesn't take a lot of drilling energy to dig it up, large plots of land must be cleared to reveal the bits of the oar. From there, the process of refining further expands massive amounts of energy.
Aluminium is so versatile that melting it down has helped conserve the material for other purposes in construction and building worldwide. Webforge sends out our scrap metal to aluminium recycling plants while ensuring our grating and handrail product remains as waste-free as possible to improve our business sustainability.
4. Lightweight strong and durable
Aluminium is a strong, corrosive-resistant material that ensures we can keep waste down to an absolute minimum. The goal for all of our grating and handrail systems is to ensure that the material will not have to be replaced often, reducing the processing energy required to recycle the material or throw it out.
Additionally, our grating and handrail systems are made from aluminium, and still meet the requirements of AS/NZS 1657. These systems can handle high-impact and high-load applications despite the weight of the material to ensure they'll meet the needs of our clients.
Our handrails are equally as durable, and able to withstand heavy loads in a multitude of applications.
For both grating and handrail systems, corrosion resistance ensures that our products can withstand factory applications and intense weather conditions. Aluminium is non-sparking and non-magnetic, making a factory or outdoor application more safe and productive.
Webforge as your sustainability partner
Our teams have been committed to sustainability since the beginning. We take every opportunity to ensure our materials are sustainability sourced, produced, manufactured and transported so we can help improve the future of our climate.
Webforge takes into consideration your construction needs before beginning every project. We'll pick the right metal materials depending on the use and location of the site. In situations such as high-traffic areas, exposure to chemicals, weather and falling objects, our grating and handrail systems help reduce work-related accidents to improve everyone's safety.
No matter what the project involves, you can rely on us to take into account Australian Standard-compliant products. We construct and plan out our products so that you don't have to worry about passing safety checks. At the work site, all of our products are arranged in the order they'll need to be assembled to cut down on labour and materials — ensuring greener work conditions.
When you work with Webforge, you get an all-in-one solution you'll never have to worry about. Contact a Webforge grating or handrail professional today to get started.