We have all moved away from the traditional “take-make-dispose” linear production cycle. To be sustainable we require products designed to emphasis resource reduction, extended use, reuse and recycling.
Circular Product Design
According to the EU science hub, 80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined at the design phase. A circular product design will minimise resource consumption and waste generation. Ensuring various functional requirements are met, such as performance standards and safety, is also vital.
We have developed a tried and tested approach to product design, since our inception in 1963, to ensure sustainability is “built in”. A part of this process we work within the CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) TM66 self assessment framework. We use this methodology to assess our luminaires based on their design, material use, manufacturing methods and environmental impact.
Long Term Commitment
60 years ago we pioneered luminaires which incorporate a removable metal tray containing all the internal lighting componentry. This long-term commitment to circular product design has enabled us to produce long lasting, repairable and upgradable products with 30 year+ life spans. Further to our sustainability objectives, we are also moving towards producing a 100% recyclable product. Using as much recycled material in our products as possible is also a key part of our eco-friendly manufacturing ethos. Ultimately we are striving for a “cradle to cradle” approach to lighting.
What Makes a Sustainable Luminaire
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.
- Recyclable components: Where possible we utilise recyclable components in our luminaires. We also use recycled content when manufacturing our lighting, for example 40% of the aluminium used for these luminaire bodies.
- Low maintenance: Tamper-proof lighting ensures the product’s security once installed, reducing on-site maintenance call outs and associated carbon emissions.
Circular Lighting In Practice
We upgraded the platform lighting at Birmingham New Street station to energy saving LED, utilising our retrofit gear trays. To find out more about this project, CLICK HERE.
PDF Sustainable Lighting Guide
Our PDF guide will show you how a retrofit LED gear tray will reduce the energy your installed lighting consumes, and the ways lighting controls will further reduce your carbon footprint. It also details the ways we are reducing our carbon footprint. To download your copy click on the button below.
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