AK Steel's Coshocton, Ohio, Works has received "Wildlife at Work" certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), recognizing the company for its ongoing environmental restoration efforts at the plant.
Since the summer of 2008, AK Steel has restored more than two acres of plant property into native Ohio prairie land. The restored area includes several nesting boxes for bluebirds and purple martins, as well as native flowers and grasses. The company will maintain the restored area and plans to eventually expand the prairie to 15 to 20 acres.
"AK Steel is proud to receive 'Wildlife at Work' certification for the company's environmental projects at Coshocton Works," said James L. Wainscott, AK Steel Chairman, President, and CEO. "The recognition reflects our commitment to operating responsibly at all of our plant locations."
"Congratulations to AK Steel for their commitment to a healthy, natural world and connected communities," said Robert Johnson, WHC President. "The Wildlife Habitat Council believes that collaboration among all stakeholder groups is critical to addressing the complex issues facing the sustainability of the planet."
AK Steel's Coshocton Works is also ANSI/ISO 14001:2004 certified to meet internationally recognized environmental management standards. The plant recycles about 29,000 tons of waste materials per year and uses high-efficiency lighting throughout the facility.
The Wildlife Habitat Council is a nonprofit group of corporations, conservation organizations, and individuals dedicated to restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat. Since 1988, the organization has helped large landowners, particularly corporation, manage their unused lands in an ecologically sensitive manner for the benefit of wildlife.
AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless, and electrical steels, primarily for automotive, appliance, construction, and electrical power generation and distribution markets. The company employs about 6000 men and women in Middletown, Mansfield, Coshocton, and Zanesville, Ohio; Butler, Pa.; Ashland, Ky.; Rockport, Ind.; and its corporate headquarters in West Chester, Ohio. AK Tube LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AK Steel, employs about 250 men and women in plants in Walbridge, Ohio, and Columbus, Ind. AK Tube produces carbon and stainless electric resistance welded (ERW) tubular steel products for truck, automotive, and other markets.