Circular Lighting Report

Want to cut carbon? Learn from the experts… There’s no need to embark on your sustainability journey alone! At next month’s New Zero Lighting conference, we’ll help you on your way with actionable insights and learnings from those who’ve made the same trek. Organised by Recolight and chaired by me, the lighting industry’s sustainability authority, and taking place on Tuesday 29 April 2025 at Coin Street Conference Centre in Waterloo, London, this one-day event brings together a stellar line up of speakers to share their knowledge with you. Also included are brands from outside the lighting industry, such as Beko appliances and Triton Showers, who will share their experiences and hard-won advice. See the full programme: Link in the comments. 

Reuse of lights at hospital saves 40 trees The reuse of luminaires at a hospital in Ipswich has saved the equivalent of almost a tonne of carbon dioxide, or 40 mature oak trees. CBRE's maintenance team at @Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital faced failing fluorescent bedhead lights – but replacing them entirely would have been costly and disruptive.  Instead, Suffolk-based Light Years Ahead Ltd, the original manufacturers of the Rotalux luminaires installed 25 years ago, took on the challenge to remanufacture the 40 luminaires.  ‘The chance of finding the original company, still going strong – and just down the road in Suffolk – was unbelievable,’ said facilities manager, Michael Tubby. Part of the problem that Nuffield Health had were that the controls for the luminaires integrate with the internal nurse call system which runs into the walls and they were operated via a handheld control which had on/off switch, a dimmer, and the nurse call button. Simply installing a new dimmable bedhead light would not only be costly, but also require significant electrical work, including chasing new wiring into the walls. There would also be a need for new controls for the light, but this would then leave most of the buttons on the existing control redundant without simultaneously installing a new nurse call system. Light Years Ahead reused the existing body, lens and a significant amount of the wiring, disposing of the fluorescent electronics and lamp itself to replace with a modern driver and LED array. This all fit within the original casing and would mate to the click-in brackets that were already on the wall to retain the original controls. • See more: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight • Diary date: Circular Lighting Live 2025 takes place on Thursday 25 September. Link below

Lumiadd unveils pendants printed from plant polymers British 3D printing specialist LumiAdd has unveiled a pendant range made from plant polymers.  The company says that the plant polymers it uses are significantly more sustainable than conventional materials currently used in the lighting industry. The Lacrimosa Pro – ‘tears’ in Latin – is made with what’s termed ‘true 3D printing’. The printer constantly moves in all three dimensions, rather than vertical or planar layering, to give a seamless finish. LumiAdd offers two versions of the pendant, a translucent effect or opaque depending on the customer choice.  The Lacrimosa pendant design features an asymmetric form in a slightly twisted tear drop shape with the light source tucked up inside, resulting in a low glare pendant. It’s available in various sizes and curated arrangements. Available with a 340 degree optic that gives the form a strong glow or a narrow beam that has a more subtle glow but creates a soft pool of light below the pendant and boasts up to 121 luminaire lumens per circuit watt. Standard finish options include white, textured, super matt black, stone effect, moss green stone and red brick as well as any RAL colour. • See more: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight • Diary date: Circular Lighting Live 2025 takes place on Thursday 25 September. Link below

Lug achieves Platinum EcoVadis rating Polish luminaire maker LUG Lighting UK has been awarded the prestigious Platinum EcoVadis certification, placing the company among the top 1 per cent of businesses worldwide in terms of corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices.  ‘While achieving the certification is a significant milestone, we’re continuing to push the boundaries of sustainable innovation in the lighting industry,’ Darrell W., country manager UK, told the Circular Lighting Report. ‘We’re committed to continually improving our sustainability practices to ensure that our journey makes a positive impact on the world.’ The company has taken some bold steps to challenge conventional industry norms in order to promote environmental responsibility. Last year, it called on the industry to rethink the practice of large-scale exhibitions, citing the urgent need to reduce the environmental impact associated with such events. The company made the conscious decision not to attend Light + Building 2024, stating that participation would have incurred a significant carbon footprint due to travel and logistical emissions.  • See more: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight • Diary date: Circular Lighting Live 2025 takes place on Thursday 25 September. Link below.

Light Projects unveils remanufacturing division Light Projects Evolve Ltd has unveiled a specialist remanufacturing division to upgrade and reuse luminaires for commercial and educational clients. The brand has formed a sister company, Light Projects Revolve Limited, which will be headed by former Silent Designs chief John Bowden 💡🔧. Bowden, managing director of the new enterprise, is a highly experienced lighting remanufacturer with a host of successful projects, including the Build Back Better Awards-winning Building Crafts College in east London. In a statement, Light Projects Evolve said it was ‘committed to delivering the most efficient and sustainable lighting upgrades to our clients’. Light Projects Evolve was been setup by Ellis Titheridge and Brendon Airey after becoming shareholders of the long-established brand Light Projects in November 2023.  • See more: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight • Diary date: Circular Lighting Live 2025 takes place on Thursday 25 September. Link below.

Is the lighting community in the Middle East going green? The Middle East, once criticised for energy profligacy, is waking up to environmental responsibilities, not least in lighting. Specifiers in the region are increasingly asking manufacturers for detailed information on their luminaires in the form of environmental product declarations. In this video short, TRILUX sustainability expert Neethu Susan George tells Circular Lighting Report editor Ray Molony that things are changing ‘considerably’ as the design community responds to climate change. 

Is B Corp or EcoVadis worth it? Joining an environmental certification programme represents a major commitment in time, expense and process. Are they worth it? At next month’s Net Zero Lighting conference, our expert panel – which includes Emer Gillespie of SPARK & BELL, pictured, Michael Collett of Auditel (U.K.) Limited and John Gorse of Signify – will weigh up the issues. We’ll also have case studies from Thorn Lighting, Beko Europe and Triton Showers, a deep dive into preparing yourself for new public procurement standards and we’ll walk you through the creation of a carbon reduction plan. The Recolight-organised event takes place on Tuesday 29 April at the Coin Street Conference Centre in Waterloo, London. I’ll be in the chair, so please join me and our stellar panels of speakers. The link to the programme is in the comments.

Top school reuses luminaires in major upgrade A top grammar school has upgraded both its interior and exterior lighting. The project at Kingston Grammar School in Kingston Upon Thames, south-west London, saw traditional metal halide lamps replaced with advanced RGBW LED uplights and wall fixtures.  Additionally, key areas like the art block and main hall saw the retrofit of fluorescent lighting, significantly improving both efficiency and illumination quality. The project was led by Silent Design in collaboration with Tridonic, which implemented the wireless control aspects of the lighting. A major component of the upgrade focused on emergency lighting. The system integrates central monitoring and reporting across three buildings, connected to the school’s IT infrastructure. The full system incorporates emergency lighting, retrofitting, and enhanced outdoor lighting. Silent Design, Tridonic, and electrical contractor Redlands Electrical worked together to develop an innovative approach. Wireless controls were implemented to avoid extensive rewiring, while prototype testing ensured the system met the school’s needs before full deployment. • See more pics: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight • Diary date: Circular Lighting Live 2025 takes place on Thursday 25 September. Link below.

Signify unveils 650V driver for DC networks Signify has unveiled its first 650V DC LED driver aimed at the growing market for direct-current environments in industry. The sensor-ready device is designed to integrate with DC networks in manufacturing, which are increasingly powered by solar installations and battery packs. DC networks eliminate conversion losses between AC and DC, improving overall system efficiency. Additionally, a 650V DC product reduces resistive losses compared to lower-voltage alternatives, making energy transmission more effective. Many industrial applications, such as electric drives, robotics, and renewable energy systems, operate on DC. They also reduce the need for transformers, rectifiers, power factor correction equipment, and inverters, leading to lower equipment costs and simpler installations. Others in the lighting industry have become alert to the DC trend. Last year, Austrian lighting giant Zumtobel Lighting introduced a direct current version of its best-selling Tecton continuous row lighting system. The company says the new Tecton DC can add an extra 4 per cent energy saving. • See more pics: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight • Diary date: Circular Lighting Live 2025 takes place on Thursday 25 September. Link below.

The SLL - Society of Light and Lighting has unveiled an event focussing on exterior and urban lighting. The conference, dubbed Illuminating the Future: Balancing Light and Dark nightscapes, takes place on 27 March 2025 at the University of London’s Senate House. This event will feature experts from various fields, including environmental science, urban planning, criminology, and social psychology, offering a balanced examination of the pros and cons of artificial light after dark. Topics will include: • Impact on Nocturnal Species: Explore the latest research on how artificial lighting affects wildlife, including shifts in behaviour, migration patterns, and ecosystem health. Experts will discuss potential strategies for minimising disruption while accommodating human needs. • Crime Reduction and Public Safety: Delve into the contentious issue of whether increased lighting truly reduces crime rates. Hear from experts who will present data and case studies that either support or challenge this notion, considering the nuances of urban design and community dynamics. • Social Interaction and Community Well-being: Assess how night-time lighting influences social behaviour and community interaction. Discussion will include the role of lighting in fostering a sense of safety, encouraging night-time activities, and its psychological effects on different demographics. • Design Considerations for Women: Focus on the importance of inclusive lighting design that considers the unique needs of women and other vulnerable groups. Experts will discuss best practices in urban planning that promote safety and accessibility in night-time environments. The event is aimed at urban planners, environmentalists, law enforcement officials, community organizers, designers, and anyone interested in the implications of lighting in urban spaces.