The circular economy as it relates to lighting is focused on managing materials and how they are used, assembled and dismantled within the product design process; as well as the lighting design decisions that are made to define how lighting products are used within the built environment.
Lighting designers have an influence in both these areas as the specifiers and designers of lighting projects and installations. The adoption of circular economy principles will allow lighting designers to change the way lighting systems are designed, manufactured, procured, operated, and returned. It needs a truly holistic approach to design that considers the lighting aesthetic and quality, material impact of lighting systems, energy efficiency, financing, optimal maintenance, and the reuse or recycle mechanism.
This brochure outlines the five principles we have identified to support a move towards circular lighting.