Lighting plays a significant part on the environment in a number of ways, from light pollution to product recycling. Add to this the requirement for high levels of maintenance and all that that entails in terms of skilled technicians (travel, replacement parts, upgrades and so on) and you are looking at a number of areas that could be improved considerably in the name of the environment.
Taking light pollution, there has already been significant steps and increased awareness surrounding this. We have discussed light pollution in towns and cities in previous articles – highlighting the fact that there needs to be balance between lighting for decorative and safety reasons. Minimising harsh lighting, particularly at night-time is ideal aesthetically but it also needs to be practical and serve its purpose – lighting walkways and roads for security and visibility, for example. There are significant carbon savings to be had in reducing unnecessary lighting, as well as how it impacts on nature and even our stress levels.
A survey undertaken by CPRE, the countryside charity, found that the number of visible stars in the sky had fallen. Remarkably, 61% of participants counted 10 or fewer stars, a rise from 57% last year. This is a direct result of light pollution blocking our view of the night sky.
“We’d like to see councils adopting better policies in local plans to tackle light pollution and protect and enhance our darkest skies, where people can still experience the wonder of a star-filled night sky. There are straightforward steps councils can take, in consultation with local people, that don’t just reduce light pollution but save energy and money too.” [Crispin Truman, CEO of CPRE, May 2020]
We are watching with interest the plans to improve packaging on products and the inclusion of clear instructions on usage. Minimising technician time needs to be balanced with the functionality of the installation. Sometimes, technician intervention is necessary because of the more complicated systems in place which may (ironically) be there to save energy and increase sustainability. There’s a pay-off in this instance and gains need to be checked against the requirement for occasional expert assistance. We should all be moving towards a simpler way of replacing parts where possible but not if the compromise doesn’t advance our industry’s commitment to the environment.
“…new legislation will require manufacturers to change their designs so that light sources and gear can be replaced by either the user or a qualified technician. New pictograms will start appearing on luminaires, showing which products can be serviced by the user and which require a technician.” [Source: luxreview.com]
In terms of recycling, there are a myriad of parts to this jigsaw. Lighting equipment, in all its forms, should be disposed of mindfully and respectfully where there is no other option. However, there are moves to diminish outright disposal through the retention of parts that may be re-used or refurbished and the use of sustainable materials for initial manufacture, moving away from oil-based plastics. Packaging features heavily too: strong enough to transport and protect but minimal and recyclable at the same time.
Recycling links:
- There is a useful website that shows the various places you can recycle your lighting equipment: https://www.recolight.co.uk/map/
- Some disposal guidance can be found here: https://www.thelightbulb.co.uk/resources/disposing_of_light_bulbs_batteries/
- Further recycling information: https://www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/light-bulbs-1
So ultimately there is a lot of work and many challenges for the lighting industry in terms of reducing the size of its footprint on the environment. Reducing light pollution, improving recycling, and using technician support wisely are just three and, we think, a good place to start.