What We Do About Sustainability
Sustainability is very important to us. Not only personally but also as a company, we feel responsible for contributing to a sustainable society.
One of the main reasons for us to sell LED lighting is the fact that LED is durable, besides that we fully stand behind the quality and low prices of our products.
Besides that our LED products contribute to the sustainability of our society on both a business and private level, we do everything we can to operate as sustainably as possible ourselves. We would like to explain what we currently do and what we want to achieve in the future.
What We Are Doing Now
Using as little plastic as possible
We do not use plastic packaging material for the orders we pack. Many companies use air-filled plastic packaging material, sometimes noting that it is recycled plastic. We are not opposed to plastic being recycled as long as there is a sustainable purpose. Packaging material is generally used once and immediately discarded by the consumer. In this way, plastic can be endlessly recycled but the throwaway culture remains.
Reusing boxes and packaging material
Whenever possible, we reuse used boxes or packaging material for new orders. Think of returns we receive but also boxes and packaging material we receive when we order something ourselves. Of course, it is checked that this is done responsibly and hygienically.
Using packaging tape sparingly
Packages must be well packed and sealed before shipping. This ensures that orders arrive intact and complete to our customers. We also have to consider handling by third parties and accidents. But we ensure that our employees use tape as sparingly as possible and do not use extra tape when it is not necessary.
No printed invoices
We do not print invoices to include in packages. Everyone who orders on our website receives a digital invoice. This is also always stored in our system in case someone accidentally deletes it and still needs it. We advise customers not to print it themselves unless necessary.
Purchasing with as little CO2 emission as possible
To minimize the CO2 emissions of our products, our products are not delivered by plane or boat. All our deliveries are by train. This is not always the cheapest choice but a very conscious one. This mode of transport has the lowest CO2 emissions.
What We Are Working On
- Setting up our own collection point to recycle old lighting (or other electrical appliances)
- In talks with manufacturers about sustainable packaging
- In talks with local companies to reuse boxes
- Producing our own packaging material using recycled cardboard
Sustainability with LED lighting
The traditional incandescent lamp was invented more than 100 years ago. This is now a rather outdated product. Fortunately, incandescent and halogen lamps are no longer produced. Existing stock may still be sold, but the rising popularity of LED lighting will fully replace these types of lamps over time, and with good reason. The demand for energy-efficient and environmentally friendly light sources is growing rapidly. Not only from the government but also from an increasingly aware society regarding sustainability and environmental friendliness. But why is LED lighting so much more sustainable? Below are all aspects summarized:
Longer lifespan
The LED lamp is considered a true revolution in the world of light. ‘LED’ stands for ‘Light Emitting Diode,’ a high-quality, energy-efficient technology without toxic substances that produces as much light as traditional lamps.
The most revolutionary aspect of LED lighting is that the LED lamp can last up to 55,000 burning hours. For the same number of hours, you would have to buy a new incandescent lamp about 50 times. The LED lamp therefore lasts many times longer: the lifespan ranges between 15 to 25 years. If you think about it, this means you only need to buy about 4 new lamps in a lifetime. How convenient is that? Oh, and this also means you produce much less incandescent lamp waste.
Energy efficient
Additionally, the LED lamp is up to 90% more efficient than the incandescent lamp. Much less energy is needed to produce light, so you save a lot of energy. It is calculated that the LED lamp uses 55 watts less per hour than the incandescent lamp, which amounts to a difference of about 25 kWh per year (approximately 5 euros). If that still seems little, consider how many lamps are in one house.
If all incandescent lamps in a house are replaced by LED lamps, the house produces significantly less environmental impact. This means lighting your home is both good for the environment, since less energy consumption means less energy needs to be generated, and good for your wallet.
Cost-saving
That is correct. An LED lamp is indeed much more expensive than an incandescent lamp, which can be bought for one euro. But the LED lamp lasts much longer and uses so much less energy that in the long term, the LED lamp is much cheaper than the incandescent lamp.
If you save 5 euros per lamp per year on energy and have 20 lamps in your home, that is already 100 euros saved annually.
Durable and non-harmful materials
Our LED lighting is manufactured with durable and non-harmful materials. Think of aluminum and high-quality plastics that are easy to recycle when the lamp no longer works after an average of 40,000 hours. Because the lamps are well recyclable, plastics and other parts will not end up in the environment provided they are actually recycled. This can be done both with us and at many other bulky waste points in the Netherlands.
Sustainability starts with yourself
Sustainability sounds like something that lies with the big powers. Large companies, municipalities, and governments. These parties certainly influence the sustainability of society, but ultimately the responsibility lies with yourself. If everyone contributes in their own way to a more conscious and sustainable life, the steps towards a sustainable society will be much bigger and faster. We have compiled a list of tips that you can follow to contribute to this important movement.
Replace your lighting with LED lighting
Of course, our first tip is to replace your lighting with LED lighting. All discussed advantages should have removed any doubts you may have had. LED is the future for the environment, society, and your own wallet.
Recycle old lighting and other electrical appliances
Once you have taken the step to replace your lighting with LED lighting, you still have your old lighting. What do you do with it? Traditional lighting, especially halogen lighting, contains harmful substances and materials. These should not be thrown in the trash. The same applies to other old or broken electrical appliances. Never throw these away carelessly. You can dispose of them at a recycling center near you or at another recycling point. Check here where you can find them.
Buying behavior
As a society, we buy more and more often online. Everyone who orders online knows the convenience of ordering a product that often arrives the next day. Unfortunately, few people think about the consequences of this buying behavior. The cardboard boxes and plastic or cardboard fillers that fulfill their function once and are then immediately discarded. Understandable, you can’t do anything with them anymore. It doesn’t cost you anything, right? Wrong, boxes and fillers cost companies a lot of money because they are used in large quantities; these costs are ultimately included in product prices. Have you ever thought about the CO2 emissions from transporters? Everyone wants their order as soon as possible, preferably the same day. Companies want to attract and retain customers by offering this service. The result: thousands of products in boxes driving back and forth all day. If you order 3 different things in one day or over a week, you get 3 transporters rushing your way. If you don’t like the product or need the money elsewhere, it gets returned.
To somewhat mitigate this whole process, you can analyze and possibly adjust your own buying behavior. Inform yourself well about a product and contact the company if you have doubts to avoid unnecessary returns. If you order multiple products, try to limit different suppliers so less transport is needed. Buy from companies that themselves strive for sustainability. Leave your products longer in your shopping cart to be sure if the purchase is really necessary. Often you forget you wanted to order something if it was not really needed.
