Build Back Better Awards

‘We’ve worked very hard to make this happen’ Circular Lighting Report editor Ray Molony talks to Nigel Harvey, the CEO of Recolight, about a change in the law which will force online marketplaces such as Amazon to pay the costs of dealing with waste from non-compliant lighting and other electrical equipment sold on their platforms.

Wax diffusers are ‘infinitely recyclable’ A Danish firm is using diffusers made from organic wax as they’re ‘infinitely recyclable’. Copenhagen based company Daydreaming Objects say that as well as its inherent renewability, wax is perfect for light because of its light-diffusing properties  Daydreaming Objects combines the wax lenses with upcycled table lamp bases to create the Soft Solids range of products. The designers developed shades specifically for each lamp base, using computer software and 3D-printing technology to create prototypes and silicone negatives for casting the molten wax. ‘The Soft Solids lighting series explore the intentional use and repurposing of natural material—wax, reflecting on its potential for regeneration within design practice,’ says the firm. ‘The lighting series features biomorphic forms that symbolise growth and regeneration in nature.  ‘The collection was inspired by the organic nature of wax and its capacity to transform from a shapeless mass into a tangible form, reverting to a flexible or even fluid state.’ Daydreaming Objects uses a natural wax blend which enables environmentally friendly renewal processes and is seen as a versatile material for creation and upcycling.  • Read more: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight

Luminaire lens is made from recycled plastic A range of lenses made from recycled plastic has been unveiled by chemical giant Roehm. The components, which contain 30 per cent recycled PMMA, have a 30 per cent lower carbon footprint than standard, says the firm. The material – Plexiglas proTerra M5 – has already been used by RIDI Group in its Linia Evo light. ‘Our proTerra M5 moulding compound contains up to 30 per cent mechanically recycled PMMA from post-industrial sources, which is mixed with new Plexiglas in a controlled manner,’ @Christian Bitsch, Röhm’s senior market tech consulting manager told the Circular Lighting Report. ‘At BWF Profiles, the processed materials alone account for nearly 80 per cent of the company’s carbon footprint,’ says Nico Sonntag, materials development engineer at components supplier BWF Profiles. ‘That’s why the company places such a lot of value on using resource-efficient materials and handling them sparingly – for example, by wasting as little material as possible when starting the extruder and by returning production waste directly to the internal recycling process.’ • Read more: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight

Online suppliers of lights must pay waste costs Online marketplaces such as Amazon must pay the costs of dealing with waste from non-compliant lighting and other electrical equipment sold on their platforms. The Government’s decision to bring internet vendors into the scope of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment legislation has been widely welcomed in the lighting industry, including by Recolight which has long campaigned for the change. ’It’s great to see this change announced,’ said Recolight CEO Nigel Harvey. ‘For far too long, many online marketplaces have been able to avoid WEEE costs.   ‘That in turn has meant that legitimate UK businesses pay more than their fair share. This change is a vital step to make sure that compliant UK businesses are not put at a competitive disadvantage by non-compliant imports. ‘Recolight has campaigned to close the online marketplace WEEE loophole for many years. We’ve undertaken research that has shown the huge proportion of non-compliant product sold via such platforms.   'For example, one analysis showed that 76 per cent of LED lamps sold by a leading online marketplace were not WEEE compliant. For the 220 producer members of the Recolight WEEE scheme, this change cannot come too soon.’ The Government has not announced a definitive timetable for the legislation. However, given that the WEEE system operates in calendar years, it’s expected that the regulations could be amended during 2025, coming into full force in 2026.   Any transitional arrangements allowed for in the regulations should prioritise ensuring that full financial liability is brought in as early as possible. • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight

Trilux unveils moisture-proof light made from recycled plastic TRILUX has unveiled a version of its Oleveon Fit and Aragon Fit moisture-proof luminaire whose diffuser and housing is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic. The light fitting, developed over 14 months by its subsidiary ZALUX in Spain, ‘does not compromise efficiency, light quality or robustness,’ said Manuel Pina Gómez, sustainability director at the firm, who led the development.   Two types of recycled plastic are used for the sustainable luminaires. To meet the high demands placed on the optical system, the diffuser is made of post-industrial polycarbonate, sourced from production waste in the automotive and consumer electronics industries, such as headlights or monitor covers. Meanwhile, the housing is manufactured from post-consumer polycarbonate, which is made from recycled, shredded green PE bottles.  This material gives the housing a subtle, translucent green tint, highlighting the sustainability of the luminaires and distinguishing them from the classic portfolio. To make ordering straightforward, these variants are identified with the ‘RCY’ label.  The recycled raw materials are supplied in pellet form, which is fed into the production process without any adjustments. This enables production capacities to be adapted quickly and easily, says Zalux.  The company says there’s a growing demand for products like this. ‘Concrete customer inquiries have encouraged us to fast-track the development’, confirms Pina. • Read more: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight

Marks & Spencer to reuse lights at Oxford Street flagship Retail giant Marks & Spencer looks set to remove and reuse the luminaires at its flagship store on London’s Oxford Street after it received Government permission to demolish and rebuild it. The company says that 95 per cent of the existing building materials will be recovered, recycled or reused. This looks certain to include many of the thousands of linear luminaires and spotlights on the shop floor. It’s not clear yet if a remanufacturing specialist will be employed to upgrade the light sources to the latest LED and control technology. It’s also not certain the the lights will be reused in the same location. Demolition is now a certain after housing secretary Angela Rayner ended a four-year planning row by granting the firm permission to knock down the 94-year-old Art Deco building. The redevelopment, which will see the landmark art deco building replaced with a new building designed by UK architecture practice Pilbrow & Partners, was first submitted for planning approval in 2021 and approved by Westminster City Council. • Read more: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight

Chocolate chain reuses vintage lights Chocolate drinks chain Knoops is reusing vintage lights from the 1950s in the roll out of its latest stores. Knoops, pronounced Kuh-noops, comprises 17 stores across London, Cambridge and Oxford and features an array of 22 hot chocolate options. In the latest outlet, the brand has used a series of vintage lights from specialist supplier skinflint Ltd. The lights were originally manufactured by AKA Electrics, the state-run umbrella company of the Eastern Bloc, in the 1950s. The conical shades feature a textured finish with a distinctive Bakelite gallery and manufacturer’s labels.  Interior designer Lara Gosling says sustainability a major consideration as well as the aesthetics. Alongside the vintage pendants are counters and shelving made from Durat, a solid surface mounted material made from post-industrial waste. The menu panelling is made from Eco-Board, an alternative to chipboard, created from agricultural waste with a negative carbon footprint. Store fronts are made from Richlite, a durable material made from recycled paper composite sheets that’s either post-consumer recycled waste or sustainably harvested FSC-Certified paper, with no added dyes. • Read more: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight

Zumtobel Izura wins German sustainability award The Izura pendant luminaire from Zumtobel Lighting, which is made from recycled materials, has won a German Sustainability Award. The luminaire incorporates plastic-free reflectors made of biocomposites and a housing crafted from recycled steel.  Its sustainable product design is based on the the company’s ‘Circular Design Rules’, which outline guidelines for sustainable product development from material sourcing to recycling.  Zumtobel says that the Izura was developed specifically with the principles of a circular economy in mind and can be produced under low-energy conditions, advancing ambitious climate protection goals. The light fitting has a digital product passport containing key information about its production, materials, and maintenance, ensuring transparency throughout its lifecycle.  Accessible online, the passport also provides guidance on handling, maintenance, and recycling of components, including instructions for disassembly and disposal, along with usage recommendations.  In addition, Zumtobel offers after-sales services, such as repairs, replacement parts, and warranty management, further extending the product's lifespan. The pendant, unveiled at Light + Building in 2024, features a modular design that allows for extensive customisation.  Digital profile printing enables the production of even the smallest quantities. Customers can personalise the housing design, including colour and surface structure. Patterns, photos, and text can be integrated, and specific Pantone shades can be matched. The modular structure consists of 40 components and requires no welding, ensuring that individual parts can be replaced. Equipped with DALI drivers, the Izura can be wirelessly controlled via an app or remote control, offering dimming and integration into building management systems. • Read more: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight

XAL’s 3D print division unveils range Austrian luminaire maker XAL’s 3D printing division has unveiled its range of luminaires using sustainable materials. The brainchild of XAL founder Andreas Hierzer, IQ LUX prints luminaires using recycled and bio materials such as PLA and regenerated PET. The company showed some of its early creations – 3D printed pendants is a variety of materials and designs – on the brand’s stand at LIGHT 24 exhibition in London earlier this month. Its range includes recessed and surface-mounted spotlights, track-mounted spotlights, suspended luminaires and retrofit downlights.  The company says it is ‘dedicated to CO2-neutral production, revolutionary engineering and innovative technology’. The brand’s filaments – the rolls of source materials used by the 3D printer –are enhanced with bio-based natural and reclaimed materials including wood, concrete, graphite, ceramic, algae and soil. These elements often introduce striking colours and textures and infuse the filaments with unique properties.  IQ Lux says that it uses streamlined processes with no unnecessary steps such as tooling, post-processing or complex manual assembly ensure maximum efficiency, even for smaller batch sizes. • Read more: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight

Trilux achieves top EcoVadis rating TRILUX has been awarded the prestigious EcoVadis Platinum rating for its commitment to sustainability, social responsibility and corporate ethics. EcoVadis is one of the world's most respected providers of sustainability ratings, evaluating companies across key areas, including environmental impact, labour and human rights, sustainable procurement, and ethical business practices.  Achieving Platinum status puts the German luminaire maker in the top 1 per cent of all assessed companies. ‘Sustainability is a central component of our corporate strategy,’ Klaus Röwekamp, Senior Vice President of Sustainability, Products and Solutions, told the Circular Lighting Report.  ‘This award is confirmation of our ongoing efforts to develop innovative lighting solutions that are not only energy-efficient and resource-conscious but also create real added value to society and the environment.’ The company has a history of pioneering in sustainable product design. In 2021, the company's Paralia – with a housing made from biodegradable polylactic acid – won both a prestigious Gold and Green Build Back Better Award for the product. • Read more: Link in the comments • The Circular Lighting Report is powered by Recolight