Material Guide
Recycled Stainless Steel
Durable, corrosion-resistant and made using recovered steel.
Durable, corrosion-resistant and designed for repeated use, recycled stainless steel incorporates recovered steel into new products while retaining the practical qualities associated with stainless steel.
What is recycled stainless steel?
Recycled stainless steel is stainless steel made using recovered stainless steel and other recycled metal content as part of the manufacturing process.
Recovered material can come from manufacturing offcuts and scrap as well as stainless steel products that have reached the end of their previous useful life.
The recycled content can vary significantly between products, so any specific percentage displayed by Ecosource should only be used where it is supported by supplier data.
From recovered steel to new products
- 1
Collected
Stainless steel scrap and recoverable material is gathered.
- 2
Sorted & processed
Metals are separated and prepared for recycling.
- 3
Remelted
The recovered material is melted and prepared for reuse.
- 4
Remade
The material is formed into new stainless steel products and components.
Recycled stainless steel in promotional merchandise
Recycled stainless steel is particularly useful for durable promotional products intended to be used repeatedly.
Drinkware
Used in selected reusable bottles, travel mugs, tumblers and other drinkware.
Food containers
Suitable for lunch boxes, food flasks and other containers where corrosion resistance matters.
Everyday accessories
Appears in keyrings, tools, pens and other compact merchandise designed for repeated use.
Travel & outdoor
Recycled stainless steel can be used in products designed for outdoor, travel and on-the-go use.
Why choose recycled stainless steel?
Uses recovered material. Incorporates existing metal back into manufacturing and can reduce reliance on entirely virgin raw materials.
Durable. Stainless steel is strong and well suited to products designed for repeated everyday use.
Corrosion resistant. Its resistance to corrosion makes stainless steel particularly useful for drinkware and other frequently handled products.
Recyclable. Stainless steel can be recovered and recycled again where suitable recycling infrastructure is available.
Not all stainless steel is recycled stainless steel
A product being made from stainless steel does not automatically mean it contains recycled stainless steel.
Ecosource distinguishes between Stainless Steel and Recycled Stainless Steel. A product should only be presented as recycled stainless steel where the existing supplier information supports that claim.
The percentage of recycled material can also vary from product to product. Where a recycled-content percentage is available, refer to the individual product page for the applicable product information.
Look beyond the material name: “Stainless Steel” identifies the material. “Recycled Stainless Steel” indicates that recovered material has been incorporated into its manufacture.
Supplier documentation
Recycled stainless steel claims should be supported by supplier documentation or material information specific to the product.
Where a supplier provides a verified recycled-content percentage, Ecosource may display that information against the individual product.
Claims should only be made where the available product information supports them.
What about carbon impact?
Material choice is only one part of a product's overall carbon footprint.
Manufacturing, product weight, packaging, decoration, quantity, transport and final destination can all influence the footprint of a finished order.
Where supplier-provided product carbon information is available, Ecosource displays it separately on the relevant product.
Understanding the claim
A recycled stainless steel claim refers specifically to the recycled stainless steel content used in the product. It does not necessarily mean every component of the finished product is recycled.
Avoid assuming that:
- the entire product is made from recycled stainless steel;
- a product described as stainless steel is the same as recycled stainless steel;
- all recycled stainless steel products contain the same recycled-content percentage;
- recycled stainless steel means every component of the finished product is recycled; or
- the use of recycled stainless steel alone determines the overall environmental impact of the finished product.
Where Ecosource displays a specific recycled-content percentage, that figure should reflect the supplier-supported information already held for that product. Lids, seals, coatings, handles, packaging and other components may contain different materials.
Explore Recycled Stainless Steel products
Discover promotional products in our range made using recycled stainless steel.