The world of lighting is becoming more environmentally conscious and businesses are always seeking out sustainable solutions that don’t compromise on quality. At DRK Lighting, we are a leading ‘Original Equipment Remanufacturer’ (OER), and we are creating an innovative approach to lighting that is both sustainable and efficient and sets new industry standards for environmental responsibility.
What is Repurposed Lighting?
Repurposed lighting is all about giving existing products a second life while also maintaining or even enhancing their original features and quality. The process goes beyond just recycling because it combines reused, repaired and new components to create carbon-neutral lighting solutions. The end result of the remanufacturing process is a light fitting that has a warranty that matches new products and a guarantee of long-term reliability of the fixture.
A Strategic Approach to Sustainability
Our repurposing process at DRK follows a flowchart that prioritises waste prevention. The journey of remanufacturing your light fitting starts with an assessment of each fitting to see if it’s in resalable, used or new condition. If the item has supporting data from the original equipment manufacturer, it can enter the reconditioning process for minor changes. If it needs major modifications, the remanufacture process then kicks in, which means that parts can get reused or recycled, designed to ensure minimal impact on the environment.
If a light can’t be reused in its current state, we will then evaluate whether it can be refurbished. This decision leads to either the harvesting of usable components or a complete remanufacturing process. Throughout this journey, there is also rigorous testing to make sure that every product meets the highest standards before installation.
The Remanufacturing Journey
The process of lighting remanufacture takes place over 8 key stages:
Collection – We will collect the item from you.
Assessment – We will then assess whether the light can be remanufactured by using the OEP flowchart.
Disassembly – Each item will then undergo careful disassembly.
Cleaning – The light fitting will be cleaned using environmentally friendly methods.
Processing and repair – This stage involves detailed work to restore or enhance the function of the light and will often incorporate the latest technological advances.
Reassembly – We carefully put the light fitting back together.
Testing – Every product undergoes comprehensive testing to make sure it is safe and reliable.
Installation and Maintenance – We will then install the light fighting and provide ongoing maintenance support.
The Benefits to Businesses
The most immediate benefit is the major energy savings, which can translate into reduced operational costs over the lifespan of the product. As governments worldwide implement stricter environmental regulations, including the UN 2050 guidelines, businesses that use repurposed lights will already be ahead of compliance requirements and can start to future proof their operations.
Contributing to the Circular Economy
We are committed to the principle of the ‘circular economy’ and at DRK, we demonstrate this by following the ‘hierarchy of waste.’ The process prioritises reuse, repair and recovery of light fittings. If lighting components can’t be reused, we use the parts for other fittings, which makes sure that they are reused efficiently. Only as a last resort and in compliance with WEEE Directive guidelines are parts disposed of, ensuring that there is minimal impact on the environment.
Modern Solutions for Lighting
The remanufacturing process isn’t limited to simple repairs as it often involves converting existing fittings to more efficient technologies, such as LED lights. This process enables businesses to modernise their lighting infrastructure while also maintaining existing fixtures. This can also preserve the architectural features of existing light fittings.
By choosing to repurpose your lighting with us, you can invest in a solution that offers quality, reliability, compliance with environmental regulations and a future-proof solution to lighting.