Join the Cycle: Building a Circular Future for Steel 

National Recycling Week: Why it matters 

National Recycling Week reminds us that sustainability isn’t just about what we discard, it’s about what we keep in motion. At InfraBuild, we see steel as the ultimate example of circularity. It’s not waste, it’s a resource that can be recycled endlessly without losing strength or quality. That’s why we’re inviting everyone to Join the Cycle. 

Steel circularity in action 

Every year, our metals recycling business collects, sorts, and processes around one million tonnes of scrap from households, businesses, and industry across Australia. Ferrous scrap is transformed in our electric arc furnaces (EAFs) into new steel products for construction, infrastructure, renewable energy, and agriculture. At the end of their life, these products can be recycled again, creating a loop that minimises waste and maximises resource efficiency. 

Australia leads the way and InfraBuild drives it 

Metals already achieve a 90% recovery rate in Australia, the highest of all material categories. InfraBuild plays a major role in this success as the nation’s second-largest metals recycler, operating more than 20 facilities nationwide. By recycling steel locally, we’re not only reducing landfill and conserving natural resources, we’re also cutting emissions. Steel made in EAFs using scrap emits up to 77% fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional blast furnace methods. 

Innovation for a lower-carbon future 

Circularity isn’t just about recycling, it’s about smarter design. Our SENSE 600® reinforcing steel uses 16.7% less material while delivering the same performance strength as our standard grade steel. That means smarter use of resources that can play a role in lowering our customers Scope 3 emissions. 

Why local recycling matters 

Australia still exports around two million tonnes of ferrous scrap annually, around 64% of our total waste exports. While some of this material is reused overseas, some may end up in landfill, and all of it generates transport emissions. By keeping recycling local, we strengthen supply chain resilience, reduce environmental impact, and retain value within the Australian economy. 

Join the Cycle Today.

Stay safe,
Francisco Irazusta
CEO, InfraBuild

Meet some of our Recycling team