While circular economy principles are getting started in the North American lighting industry, they are far more advanced in the European lighting industry. In England, the LIA (Lighting Industry Association) and CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) have joined forces to introduce a new product verification program aimed at promoting circular economy practices [...]

Designing for disassembly (DfD) refers to the practice of designing products or systems in a way that makes it easy to take them apart at the end of their useful life or for maintenance purposes. DfD is an important aspect of sustainable lighting and circular design. This design approach aids the recovery and recycling of [...]

Electronic shelf labels (ESLs) are a technology that allows retailers to remotely update product prices and information displayed on shelves in real-time. ESLs have the potential to revolutionize the way retailers operate, but they also have significant implications for manufacturers: Increased price transparency: With ESLs, retailers can quickly and easily change prices on the shelves, [...]

Researchers at the University of Toronto demonstrated a window technology that utilizes multiple layers of plastic sheets that can be filled with different pigments to selectively filter infrared (IR) heat and/or visible light. This approach has the potential to dramatically reduce HVAC energy requirements for buildings. Different layers within the prototype window filter out infrared [...]

By Clifton Stanley Lemon This is the second post in a four-part series on Lighting and Innovation. The first post can be read here. It’s supremely ironic that we are, ostensibly, in a state of stagnating innovation in lighting today, given that the universal symbol of innovation and inspiration is…the light bulb. Of course, the [...]

An interesting find at LEDucation, last week was a line of linear luminaires from Lumentruss made from reclaimed pine engineered lumber. It has the appearance of shredded recycled lumber that has been pressed into new lumber. The finished look has an intense grain pattern that is even more pronounced than ‘virgin’ wood. Recycled wood both [...]

  There is a growing list of sustainability labels and certifications to be aware of. Some are for products, some for buildings, and some for business operations. Here are three to be aware of: Declare. Manufacturers voluntarily disclose product information on easy-to-read Declare labels. These labels report all product ingredients and use a simple color [...]

The US Green Building Council and the International WELL Building Institute have formed a partnership to simplify certifying buildings for both health and sustainability. The USBGC’s LEED certification rates a building’s sustainability credentials, while WELL ratings consider a building’s impact on the wellbeing of people who use it. Both LEED and WELL building certifications have [...]

Cooper Lighting Solutions introduces a pendant line using 3D printing technology, which allows for distinctive designs, textures, and shapes. The Shaper PRENTALUX brand, meaning “printed light,” includes 20 products with numerous texture and color choices, as well as multiple lumen outputs and color temperatures.