A struggle that businesses often face is the need to balance their budgets while also becoming more environmentally responsible. One opportunity that is often overlooked is the process of upgrading existing lighting systems through remanufacturing. Millions of lighting fixtures end up in UK landfills each year, many of which contain hazardous materials such as mercury, so remanufactured lighting has both financial and environmental advantages that are worth serious consideration.
What is Lighting Remanufacture?
Lighting remanufacture gives existing fixtures a second life through careful restoration and technology upgrades. An original equipment remanufacturer, such as our team at DRK Lighting, collects used fixtures, takes them apart, repairs or replaces components and puts them back together to work as well as, or better than, new products. This process follows strict British standards (BS 8887) to ensure they have high-quality and safety levels. Unlike standard recycling, an original equipment remanufacturer will transform outdated lighting into modern, energy-efficient systems, and this is often done by converting fluorescent or incandescent fixtures to LED technology. At DRK, our remanufactured products also come with warranties that are the same or better than new items to give businesses confidence in their investment.
Save Money with Remanufactured Lighting
Your energy bills should decrease when an original equipment remanufacturer converts old lighting systems to updated LED technology. Energy usage can drop by 50% or more, which can save thousands of pounds annually for medium-sized businesses. Maintenance costs can also go down. LED lighting that is installed by an original equipment remanufacturer can last up to 50,000 hours, which is far longer than traditional lighting options.
Environmental Benefits
Remanufactured lighting has a far smaller environmental impact than buying new products. A typical remanufactured fixture has half the embedded carbon of a new one. This helps businesses meet environmental regulations and sustainability goals. Working with an equipment remanufacturer also reduces electronic waste. Over 29 million lights end up in landfills every year, so opting for remanufactured lights stops harmful materials from ending up in the soil, water or air. The remanufacturing process follows a circular system that prevents waste. When the lights reach the end of their useful life, they can enter the remanufacturing cycle again, which extends their usage and reduces the need for new resources.
Improve the Reputation of Your Business
Using remanufactured lighting can also improve the reputation of your business. Customers and business partners value sustainability, so investing in responsible solutions for the environment shows a commitment to these values. As governments continue to bring in stricter environmental standards, such as the UN 2050 guidelines, businesses that use circular lighting solutions are more likely to stay ahead of compliance requirements. This can prevent retrofitting or penalties in the future, which may cost a lot of money.
Conclusion
If you’re considering remanufactured lighting for your business, look for a remanufacturer such as DRK that follows the waste hierarchy methods and prioritises reuse over recycling or disposal. For organisations that want to move away from fluorescent lighting, especially following the ban on T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes in September 2023, remanufacturing is a timely and cost-effective solution. The combination of immediate savings, lower operating costs and environmental benefits makes investing in remanufactured lighting a smart business decision, with both short-term and long-term financial advantages.