Glamox switches to recycled aluminium
(Norway) – As part of its goals to reach Net Zero operations by 2030, Glamox has announced that it has started to switch from using virgin aluminium to recycled aluminium in the manufacture of its LED luminaires.
The company has already made the switch for one of its most popular luminaires, and is preparing to extend this to other families. The move will lower the carbon footprint of the company, and also of customers who purchase the energy-efficient luminaires for use in professional buildings.
Recycled aluminium is created by re-melting scrap metal. The process is less expensive and energy-intensive than creating new aluminium, which is made by the electrolysis of aluminium oxide, which must first be mined from bauxite ore and then fired.
Birger Holo, Technical Director, Professional Business Solutions, Glamox, said: “We’ve already implemented the plan to shift over to recycled aluminium in the manufacture of a popular luminaire, which will result in a 63% reduction in the emissions of CO2 equivalents over using new aluminium in these profiles.
“By adding two new product lines, we estimate that we will eliminate a total of 1,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents each year, which equals the amount of carbon sequestered by nearly 1,200 acres of forest a year.”
The company is also looking to eliminate plastic in its packaging, replacing bubble wrap and Styrofoam with materials that are easier to recycle. It also recently launched an Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) generator. Based on international standards, this tool documents the environmental footprint of products taking into account their lifestyle.
“We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are committed to helping our customers to reduce their carbon footprint and for us to achieve Net Zero operations by 2030,” said Viktor Söderberg, Business Development Director, who heads up Glamox’s sustainability programme. “It’s not enough providing energy-efficient LED lighting, we must ensure that every facet of our operations and supply chain minimises our environmental impact.”
