The Industrial Revolution dominated the 18th and 19th centuries, and many would argue, the 20th century brought about the technology revolution. Considering all of the world's advancements in the last 300 years, one must wonder what progress the 21st century will hold. If the first decade is any indication, the next revolution will be sustainable development.

Sustainable development, LEED®, and green are no longer just buzzwords to architects, engineers, developers, and specifiers. Whether an effect of stricter rules and regulations, a slow depletion of materials, or a conscious ethical decision, sustainable design and construction have become top priorities. Utilizing steel, which has been a vital component of modern construction since the industrial revolution, throughout the world's infrastructure can positively contribute to sustainable development. However, steel left unprotected can succumb to corrosion; thus, for true sustainability, the steel must be coated to improve its durability. Hot-dip galvanizing, the process of metallurgically bonding zinc to steel, has been used to protect steel for more than 150 years and provides maintenance-free corrosion protection for decades. Following the last 300 years of growth and development, a sustainable development revolution utilizing hot-dip galvanized steel will ensure the world can have many more centuries of safe, healthy growth and development.

This capstone publication, updated in 2017, discusses the sustainability of hot-dip galvanized steel by examining both the environmental and economic impacts of utilizing the product. On the environmental front, the brochure details the life-cycle assessment (LCA) for hot-dip galvanized steel, how the product can contribute to LEED points, and provides two case studies comparing the environmental impact of galvanizing vs. painting steel. Additionally, the publication shows the economic impact of hot-dip galvanizing through life-cycle cost (LCC) and cost comparisons to painted steel.