Circular Product Design - Our Approach

At Designplan, circular product design is part of everything we do. From the start, we build it into how we design and manufacture our luminaires.
We consider each stage of the product lifecycle. This includes material selection, manufacturing, use, and end of life. By doing this, we reduce environmental impact while maintaining high performance.
Most importantly, early design decisions shape how sustainable a product will be over time.

What Is Circular Product Design?

Circular product design focuses on reducing waste and keeping materials in use for longer. Instead of following the traditional “take, make, dispose” model, it supports a more sustainable approach.

In practice, this means products:

Last longer
Can be repaired
Can be upgraded
Can be recycled

As a result, luminaires are easier to maintain and adapt as technology changes.

A Proven Approach Since 1963

Designplan has applied these principles for over 60 years. For example, removable gear trays allow internal components to be replaced or upgraded without replacing the whole luminaire.

Because of this, we can:

Extend product life
Reduce waste
Improve long-term value

In many cases, product lifespans exceeding 30 years have been achieved, thereby contributing to reduced waste and enhanced lifecycle performance.

Frameworks That Support Our Design Process

We use the CIBSE TM66 framework to review and improve our products. In particular, it looks at:

Design approach
Materials
Manufacturing
Environmental impact

As a result, we can measure circularity and make consistent improvements.

Our Circular Design Principles

To ensure a 30 year+ design life, a number of factors need to be considered.

Robust body: Durable and recyclable materials such as steel and aluminium, protected using proprietary methods, will ensure a high IK rating for impact resistance and a 30 year+ design life.
Sustainable technology: Upgradeable components provides access to new technologies as they are developed.
High ingress protection: Long life, quality, precision cut materials and rigorous testing ensure a high ingress protection (IP) rating.
Recycled Content Material: Where possible we utilise recycled content material in our luminaires. An example of this is the average content of our aluminium sheet, extrusion and die-cast is 54% recycled aluminium. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are constantly reviewing and finding ways to maximise the recycled content of all of our products.
Low maintenance: Tamper-proof lighting ensures the product’s security once installed, reducing on-site maintenance call outs and associated carbon emissions.

Designing for a 30+ Year Lifecycle

We take a complete approach to product design. To achieve this, we consider every detail to support long-term performance.
For example, we focus on:

Durable materials
Protection from environmental conditions
Replaceable components
Reduced maintenance needs

Together, these features help our luminaires achieve a lifespan of 30 years or more.

Towards a Fully Circular Lighting Solution

We continue to develop our approach. Looking ahead, our goal is to support a more circular lifecycle for lighting products.

To do this, we:

Increasing recycled content
Designing for disassembly
Reducing resource consumption
Minimising waste at every stage

Continuous Improvement in Sustainability

Circular design is an ongoing process. Because of this, we regularly review and improve our products.
We focus on:

Using materials more efficiently
Reducing environmental impact
Extending product life

By doing so, we continue to improve the sustainability of our lighting solutions.

Sustainable Lighting Guide

This guide identifies our commitment and goals, our circular design principles, our carbon footprint reduction initiatives and the ways we are “being green”. To download your copy click on the button below.

Download Our Sustainability Guide