Refurbishment: Cutting the Carbon Footprint of Lighting
The Hidden Carbon Cost of a New Luminaire
Every new luminaire starts its journey with raw material extraction, continues through energy-intensive manufacturing, and ends with global transportation. This process generates a significant amount of CO₂ emissions:
- Raw material extraction: ~30%
- Processing and manufacturing: ~50%
- Transportation: ~20%
The total carbon footprint of a new luminaire typically ranges between 30 – 50 kg CO₂ per unit.
Refurbishment: Extending Life, Reducing Impact
Refurbishment focuses on extending the lifetime of existing luminaires through cleaning, replacing damaged parts, and upgrading components such as LED modules and drivers.
As a result, the entire production cycle of a new luminaire is avoided. The footprint of a refurbished luminaire drops to only 10 – 15 kg CO₂ per unit.
Breakdown of refurbishment emissions:
- Transportation to/from refurbishment: ~5%
- New components (LED drivers, modules): ~25%
- Work and energy used during refurbishment: ~5%
Overall, refurbishment is 65% more environmentally efficient than producing a new luminaire.
The Benefits Beyond CO₂ Reduction
- Extended lifetime: refurbished luminaires can last another 15–20 years.
- Waste prevention: reusing the housing saves up to 70% of materials compared to a new product.
- Cost savings: refurbishment is often more economical than purchasing new luminaires.
Conclusion
Refurbishment is a simple yet powerful step towards responsible business and sustainable urban development. By choosing refurbishment, we save CO₂ emissions, minimize waste, and protect natural resources – while delivering modern, energy-efficient lighting for the future.
And how we do it?
