Steelmaking and the Environment
The making and processing of steel involves the mining and handling of vast amounts of raw materials primarily coal, iron ore, limestone and steel scrap as well as the use of large amounts of air, water and energy.

High temperature chemical reactions and physical changes occur during smelting, refining and other processing steps which generate solid and gaseous emissions, contaminate process water and produce waste materials.

The challenge faced by today's steel industry is to make and process steel without adversely impacting the environment.

Bethlehem Steel's Commitment
Bethlehem Steel has had a formal environmental protection program in place since 1946. We were among the first companies in the basic industries to recognize the importance of protecting our environment, and our commitment continues today. Bethlehem recognizes that environmental protection is an integral part of doing business.

Our Statement of Policy
Our corporate environmental policy is straightforward: We will comply with all environmental laws and regulations applicable to the conduct of our business. As a good corporate citizen, we are dedicated to the continuous improvement of the environment in which we all live.

Making Our Environmental Policy Work
In maintaining and improving our environmental policies, we will:

• Meet our obligations consistent with our endorsement of the CERES Principles and the ICC Business Charter for Sustainable Development.
• Maintain effective air and water pollution control plans and procedures.
• Implement opportunities for prevention of pollution, minimize the generation of wastes, recycle in-plant wastes and products made from steel, and dispose of any remaining wastes in an environmentally responsible manner.
• Develop and implement effective environmental management systems at all operations.
• Manufacture products that have minimum environmental impacts, that are safe in their intended use, and that can be recycled, reused or disposed of safely.
• Minimize safety, health and environmental risks to our employees and our plant communities by using safe technologies and operating practices, and by being prepared for emergencies.
• Reduce our use of ozone-depleting substances and hazardous chemicals in our manufacturing operations of the maximum extent practicable.
• Provide qualified personnel and resources to implement Bethlehem's environmental policy, plans and procedures, and to address existing and emerging environment requirements.
• Provide periodic operation-specific environment performance reviews and assessments, and develop plans to address actual or potential noncompliance situations.
• Evaluate properties being considered for divestiture or acquisition in terms of existing environmental conditions, potential risks and liabilities, and possible impacts on other environmental obligations.
• Communicate to employees, customers, stockholders, suppliers, government and the public environmental information regarding the company's operations and its environmental accomplishments.
• Work with all levels of government to develop and implement comprehensive environmental programs, including fair, consistent and scientifically sound laws, rules and regulations.
• Support the research and educational objectives of the steel industry and other organizations concerned with environmental quality improvement.