Waste management practices at Algoma Steel are designed to reduce, reuse and recycle, with ongoing reductions in the overall volume of material going to landfill.  Of the total amount of by-product materials generated from the integrated steelmaking process, more than 80% are reused or recycled, either internally or through outside consumers.  Click here for a list of alternative by-product applications.

Algoma maintains an aggressive recycling program to ensure materials are not only diverted from landfill but also arrive at their appropriate destination for recycling.  Among the materials which are recycled are light bulbs, batteries, electronic waste, paints, expired chemicals, oils and grease, wood, plastics, glass, aluminum and paper.

Tire Recycling

Algoma Steel has implemented a “one-in, one-out” program for tires used on site, ensuring a tire is removed whenever a replacement tire is purchased. All legacy tires have been removed from the site and processed through Ontario recycling facilities.

The LEED Principle

 The Canada Green Building Council encourages sustainable green building and development practices through the adoption of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principle.  Algoma supports this principle with the use of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content in our manufacturing process. For confirmation of recycled content,  click here.

Switch Out Program

Switch Out is a national program designed to remove, collect and manage mercury-containing convenience lighting switches and anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensor modules in end-of-life vehicles before they are flattened, shredded and recycled into new steel.  Algoma Steel, through the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA), and in partnership with the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association (CVMA), has co-funded the national Switch Out program since January 2008.  Since this time a total of 582,757 switches have been collected.

In October 2018 the Switch Out Program came to an end.  Algoma Steel remains committed to utilizing mercury-free scrap steel to the greatest extent practicable, from automotive and non-automotive sources and we have adopted a Zero Mercury Purchasing Policy requiring that all steel mill scrap that is supplied Algoma is mercury-free.