Circular Lighting Report

Net Zero Lighting: 10 questions it will answer Recolight’s Net Zero Lighting is designed to help manufacturers tackle the responsibility of the carbon footprint they generate while making luminaires. Specifically it will address 10 questions: • What are the priorities, the ‘quick wins’ and real challenges in reducing the carbon from manufacture and assembly? • How can we cut carbon, energy use and waste without compromising quality or customer service? • How will environmental measure in public sector procurement affect lighting suppliers? • What are the key carbon-reduction standards in the market the we need to be aware of? • How can you credibly set science-based targets – and get them approved? • Which is right for you: EcoVadis or B Corp? • Do environmental certifications lead to more business? • How do you set a Carbon Reduction Plan? • How did Thorn Lighting achieve such remarkable environmental metrics for its Spennymoor plant in such a short time? • What can we learn from others outside the industry, such as Beko and Triton Showers? In this vital one-day event, organised by Recolight, we bring together a range of experts from both the lighting industry and other sectors to advise on best practice in taking your journey to ‘net zero’. The Net Zero Conference takes place on Tuesday 29 April 2025 at Coin Street Conference Centre, London. Link in the comments.

Retrofit gear tray is magnetic AuraLED Lighting has unveiled a retrofit gear tray for upgrading 600 x 600 fluorescent luminaires to LED. The RetroMag66A features a magnetic base for fast and simplified installation.  It’s equipped with four Tridonic PCB boards, each measuring 560mm, and supports adjustable wattages to meet different lighting needs. It offers two colour temperature options—3000K and 4000K—suitable for various environments. The LED gear tray achieves up to 188 lumens per watt while maintaining a a colour rendering index of over 80. A small colour tolerance (MacAdam 3) ensures consistent lighting quality. With a lifespan of up to 72,000 hours, the tray reduces long-term maintenance costs, says Auraled.  Installation is designed to be straightforward, with push terminals allowing quick wiring between LED modules and four terminals enabling parallel wiring.  Optional DALI drivers are available which offer intelligent lighting control, while fixed-output drivers provide a more standard option. Emergency kits can also be added to maintain functionality during any power disruptions. Suitable for both linear and panel lights, the gear tray provides a practical solution for lighting upgrades, says Auraled. The tray is backed by a five-year warranty. A sister firm, Auratec, provides a turnkey lighting installation service for clients who want a supply-and-install service. Auraled’s Barrie Vesty said that swapping a fluorescent for an LED panel means the site manager would need to organise waste removal for the old fixtures. Alternatively, switching to LED tubes means the light fitting needs re-configurating on the wiring and questions could arise about the validity of the original certification. Additionally, T8 LED tubes creates heat which isn’t always well dissipated.  ‘We all know that LED T8 tubes, mass manufactured in Asia are cheap’, said Vesty. ‘But the initial cost is not the end price, as time spent changing is way higher’. • 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 #circularlighting #recycling #lighting

Do you know that big changes to waste laws are set to affect every lighting business? • The Simpler Recycling regulations which will require all businesses to separate their waste into four containers. • The waste packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations are now impacting many businesses. What are the implications for the many lighting companies that use smaller quantities of packaging? • The WEEE regulations will be expanded to include online marketplaces. How might that impact lighting companies? To learn more, join me on a free Recolight webinar this morning Thursday 27 March at 11am where expert speakers John Redmayne, managing director of the waste packaging scheme ERP, Nigel Harvey, Recolight CEO and Aaron Moon, senior policy advisor, simpler recycling at Defra, will walk us through the implications. • Registration link in the comments

Car park lights are recycled into new luminaires The housings and optics of lights installed at a car park in the Netherlands have been recycled and reused in the creation of new luminaires. During the upgrade of the TRILUX fittings at the facility in Arnhem, the previous lights were carefully removed and the optics, housings, clamps, ballasts, electronics and lamp sockets separated and processed for reuse.  The housings and optics were recycled into high-quality granulate for use as a raw material in the company’s factory in Zaragoza, Spain, to manufacture new waterproof luminaires. Trilux executive Raymond van Dijken described the project as a ‘closed-loop system’ to recover and repurpose materials. The upgrade also provided the opportunity for the contractor, ITN, to add wireless control which adapts dynamically to usage patterns.  Trilux equipped the parking garages with Mymesh-enabled luminaires, creating a networked, sensor-driven environment without the need for additional DALI control lines. ‘The luminaires operate at an energy-saving base level, automatically adjusting brightness based on real-time occupancy data,’ Martijn den Besten, Business Development Manager at Trilux, told the Circular Lighting Report. ‘If no movement is detected, the lighting dims further, and as soon as activity resumes, the system instantly returns to the required illumination level. • 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  ‘This maximises energy efficiency while ensuring safety and comfort for users.’ Craig Stead #circularlighting #recycling #lighting

Still time to register for Recolight Waste webinar Recolight says that UK lighting manufacturers still have time to register for a special webinar on new waste regulations taking place on Thursday 27 March 2025. The organisation says that the rule changes will affect virtually all lighting companies. Specifically, the event will include vital updates on three new waste regulations coming into force in 2025: • The Simpler Recycling regulations which will require all businesses to separate their waste into four containers. Aaron Moon, senior policy advisor, simpler recycling at Defra, will outline the details. • The waste packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations are now impacting many businesses. What are the implications for the many lighting companies that use smaller quantities of packaging? John Redmayne, managing director of the waste packaging scheme ERP will give a presentation on the implications.  The government has announced that the WEEE regulations will be expanded to include online marketplaces. How might that impact lighting companies? Nigel Harvey, Recolight CEO, will explore the impact.  The event will be chaired by Circular Lighting Report editor Ray Molony and the presentations are followed by a panel discussion and question-and-answer session, in which the panel will take questions from participants. You can also submit a question in advance on the registrations form. It’s free to join but you’ll need to register. Slides will be shared with all who register, as well as a recording of the proceedings. • Link in the comments

Don’t make green claims law onerous, says manufacturers Lighting manufacturers across the EU have called on lawmakers to make the forthcoming Green Claims Directive effective and pragmatic rather than an obstacle to competitiveness.  In a position paper, representative body LightingEurope called for simplified paperwork and a unified labelling system across the member states.  It said there should be a ‘pragmatic’ approach to claims for products containing hazardous substances, as well as a simplified procedure.  ‘The Green Claims Directive must not become an obstacle for European competitiveness and innovation,’ said Teresa Selvaggio, LightingEurope’s Director of Public Affairs. ‘Where applicable and in line with the objectives of the directive, the simplified procedure must be applied to reduce the financial and administrative burdens of the manufacturers’. The European Union's Green Claims Directive aims to combat greenwashing by ensuring that environmental claims made by businesses are clear, accurate, and substantiated. UK lighting manufacturers exporting to EU countries must comply with the directive to maintain market access. Under the directive, companies must substantiate environmental claims using scientific evidence, such as life cycle assessments, and have these claims independently verified before communicating them to consumers.  This means that terms like ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘sustainable’ must be backed by credible data and cannot be misleading or vague.  The directive also seeks to regulate the proliferation of environmental labels to ensure their reliability and transparency.  • 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

Revealed: The full 𝗡𝗲𝘁 𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 programme! This Recolight conference – taking place on 29 April in London – is shaping up to deliver top actionable insights. Here's the programme: 9.30am Welcome Nigel Harvey, CEO, Recolight. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦 9.35am 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 Public bodies such as the NHS and the Highways Agency are rolling out procurement policies that demand suppliers’ sustainable policies. Here Robert Allison of Auditel explores the trend. 10.05am 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 Rahul Shah of BSI takes us through the key carbon-reduction standards. How will these force change in the lighting sector? 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗦 10.35am 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 – 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 The most credible sustainability policy is the setting of ‘science-based targets’. Here Maria del Mar Rojas of SBTi outlines how to set targets and get them validated. 11.00am Q&A 11.15am Coffee and networking 11.45am 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 Michael Collett of Auditel outlines the pitfalls and the opportunities in setting a Carbon Reduction Plan. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 12.10pm 𝗕 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽: 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 B Corp certification requires firms to meet rigorous standards. Here Irene Mazzei, PhD Mazzei from Stoane Lighting explains the process. 12.30 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗩𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘀: 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 EcoVadis provides a scorecard based on a company's performance in areas like environment and ethics. Here John Gorse of Signify explains the commitment. 12. 50pm Q&A 1.00pm Lunch and networking 2.00pm 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗘𝗟 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲? Joining programmes such as B Corp or EcoVadis represent a major commitment in time, expense and process . Are they worth it? Our panel – which includes Mike Collett of Auditel UK, John Gorse of Signify and Emer Gillespie of Spark & Bell – weighs up the issues. 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 2.40pm 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 Thorn Lighting’s factory in Spennymoor has cut energy use by 1.3 million kWh and water use by 50%, and is set to cut gas use by 900,000 kWh. Here Mark Helm of Thorn shows us how the targets are being achieved. 3.00pm Q&A 3.10pm Coffee and networking 3.40pm 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆: 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 Triton Showers has achieved carbon neutrality year on year. Here Daniel Lintell of Triton shares his insights and learnings from the firm’s environmental journey. 4.05pm 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆: 𝗕𝗲𝗸𝗼 Andrew Mullen of Beko looks at the steps this appliance manufacturer is taking to achieve its sustainability goals. 4.25pm Q&A 4.45pm Closing remarks • Learn more: Link below

French firm unveils wood downlight French luminaire manufacturer KRAKEN-LIGHTING Lighting has become the latest brand to unveil a downlight with a part-wooden structure. The K'Dow 7 has an aluminium body but features a bezel in solid oak or ash plywood sourced from eco-managed forests. The company says the wood is non-flammable and passes the 850C glow wire test.  It’s available with either a GU10 socket or an LED module in a choice of colour temperatures (2700K, 3000K or 4000K) and three beam angles (12, 24 or 36 degrees). Control is via a dimmable Dali or Casambi Technologies Bluetooth driver. Last month, Slovakian firm Setup.lighting s.r.o. introduced a hardwood downlight. Kraken Lighting, based near Nantes, uses reclaimed windows and doors to make light fittings such as 600x600 modular ceilings panels. The founders say the business is based on their ecological, social and societal convictions, but there is a commercial motive as the use of reused wood is a rare differentiator in a crowded commercial lighting market.  Kraken co-founder Nicolas FORGET says the company designs its products so that they are repairable and can be partially or fully assembled by disabled workers. The company originally used regular timber but were encouraged by the French waste agency, ADEME, to develop the products based on waste wood that would otherwise be buried or incinerated. • 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

Everest trek inspires sustainability concept A trek to Everest base camp by the founder of lighting technology firm Prolojik Limited and a leading Scottish architect has inspired an ambitious sustainability concept. Project Next explores the environmental principles that Asela Rodrigo and Hamish Angus McAndrew encountered during their recent expedition through the Sagarmatha region of Nepal. It draws insightful parallels between the construction industry and practices in the developing world. This HAM x Prolojik collaboration focuses on revolutionising construction practices through sustainability and the use of organic materials to achieve sustainable architecture.  This concept Rodrigo and McAndrew first met during their trek, where they experienced the remote villages and challenges of construction in such extreme environments.  This highlighted the urgent need for sustainable solutions in the face of adversity.  They gained valuable insights from the journey, including Sagarmatha. Project Next is an initiative exploring how to extend the lifecycle of materials and repurpose waste into valuable resources.  This innovative concept aims to rethink construction methods in disaster-prone regions while reducing our environmental footprint. In terms of lighting, it focuses on DC networks specifically. Prolojik has long been a pioneer in the use of DC Power-over-Ethernet networks in advanced buildings.  • 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

AlphaLED reuses 214 luminaires at Volve dealership Manchester-based alphaLED has reused and reconditioned 214 luminaires at the Volvo dealership in Kista, Sweden, as part of an extensive showroom and office renovation.  Prioritising sustainability, the company said the project aligned with its circular economy principles, which focus on reducing waste and extending product life cycles. Project architects Wingårdhs and lighting designers Rejlers worked closely with Stockholm Lighting Company AB to integrate a lighting concept that retained 85 per cent of the existing fixtures.  Instead of replacing them entirely, the luminaires were modified by reconfiguring their internal components and separating direct AlphaLED light sources, ensuring optimal energy efficiency and performance. By opting for refurbishment over replacement, the dealership reduced its carbon footprint by approximately 23.8 tonnes of CO2e—equivalent to the emissions from driving over 200,000 kilometres in an average petrol car. Additionally, the approach saved an estimated 3,500 kilograms of raw materials, including aluminium and copper, which would have otherwise been used in manufacturing new luminaires. • 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