In this month’s Face to Face we speak to Nigel Harvey, Chief Executive at Recolight, to hear his views on a more sustainable lighting industry and the implementation of the circular economy.

Q. Why should electrical wholesalers offer a free lamp and WEEE recycling service to customers?

There are many good reasons. First and foremost, because it is a legal requirement:  Any wholesaler selling electrical products that could be used by a consumer, must provide a free of charge take back on a one-for-one basis. So if, for example, an electrical contractor buys 50 GU10 LED lamps, they have the right to return around 50 similar lamps to the point of purchase, for recycling.

In addition, providing a WEEE take back service is a vital way in which wholesalers can act more sustainably. That also provides an additional service to their customers, and can increase footfall.

Q. What are Recolight and how can they help with this?

Recolight was set up by the lighting industry as a not-for-profit to provide collection and recycling of waste lighting to meet obligations under the WEEE regulations. That means Recolight offer wholesalers, and others, free collection and recycling of waste lamps, subject to minimum quantities. The company also provide low cost collection of waste luminaires and batteries.

Q. Why is the circular economy so important and what difference will the release of the Government’s ‘Circular Economy Growth Plan’ make?

The circular economy is a vital way in which sustainability can be embedded into commercial operations, and is an essential part of the effort to tackle climate change. A circular economy seeks to keep existing products in use for longer, to repair or upgrade them where possible, and to only replace and recycle them where that is not an option. The government set up a taskforce to make recommendations on how to implement a circular economy, and we expect to see a consultation on the proposals this Spring.

Q. How can wholesalers engage better with the circular economy?

The circular economy is about reuse, repair, remanufacture, and upgrade.  There is a material opportunity for any wholesalers that can start to provide such services, either themselves, or in partnership with other organisations.

Q. Can you tell us a bit about what Recolight does?

Beyond providing collection and recycling of lighting, Recolight is extremely active in supporting the transition to a circular economy.  So Recolight organise Circular Lighting Live, the UK’s only conference dedicated to the circular economy and the lighting industry. Recolight also sponsor Circular Lighting Report on LinkedIn, a news service celebrating all the sustainability achievements of the lighting industry. And the company also helps to ensure that unsold remaindered stock can be used in charities or other social enterprises rather than being recycled.

Q. What are EPDs and what EPD related services does Recolight offer to manufacturers?

Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide tangible ways in which manufacturers can accurately evidence the full sustainability of the products they sell.  They therefore allow specifiers and end-users to choose products based on an independent third party verified statement of the environmental impacts of products.

Recolight provide a “one-off EPD” service that helps manufacturers prepare an EPD. That includes support in gathering the data required, entering it into the OneClick LCA platform, preparing a draft EPD, finalising it, and then submitting it to EPD Hub for independent verification. The service is subject to a flat all-inclusive fee.

Q. What can we expect to see from Recolight and the wider lighting industry in 2026?

Circular Lighting Live will be back again on 8^th October 2026 in London, showcasing the latest developments and regulatory changes taking place in the circular economy.  Prior to that, the Government will have consulted on possible changes to implement its circular economy growth plan, and the outcome of that consultation should be available.  That will make Circular Lighting Live in 2026 the perfect opportunity to understand the planned changes, and consequences.

Find out more about Recolight here

Catch up on previous ‘Face to Face’ articles here

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The Lighting Industry Association (LIA) and Recolight has announced a new Strategic Partnership designed to accelerate sustainability and compliance across the sector.

Key elements of the partnership include:

• Reciprocal online resources linking members to relevant services and support
• Newsletter features to members of both organisations providing up‑to‑date guidance on WEEE, quality and compliance in the lighting sector
• Cross‑promotion of relevant training courses and webinars, aimed at encouraging greater action on the circular economy and decarbonisation in lighting, and closing skills gaps

Ayça Donaghy, CEO of The LIA, said: “As The LIA, by formalising this Strategic Partnership with Recolight we can draw on their circular‑economy leadership, cross‑promote high‑quality training, and collectively speed the industry’s progress towards net zero.”

Nigel Harvey, CEO of Recolight, added: “Recolight has had a pivotal role in supporting and encouraging action on the circular economy in the lighting sector. The new strategic partnership with The LIA will help both organisations to better support their members, and the supply chain, to act more sustainably and to continue to decarbonise. A partnership with these objectives is the right approach, for the environment, and for our members.”

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Customers, whether homeowners or commercial, are now rightly demanding precise up-to-date knowledge, innovative design, energy efficiency and sustainability from their lighting products. Simon Shenton, Head of LED Development at Luceco, explains why wholesalers need to look for trusted manufacturers in a rapidly evolving market.

When it comes to specifying lighting, experience and expertise matters and can in fact, be crucial, depending upon the installation setting.

For example, the Colour Rendering Index (CRI) measures how well a light source shows the true colours of an object compared to natural light. The appearance of eight colour samples (R1-R8) are compared under the light in question and a reference light source and given an Ra score, typically 70 or 80 which can be thought of as a percentage of how accurately the colour samples were reproduced.

However, there is a specific test – CRI R9 – that focusses on how well a light shows red/pink colours. Red is a critical colour for many applications where an accurate representation of red is essential. In photography for example, good red light ensures natural and vibrant photos, whilst in the textile industry, material colour needs to be consistent, so it is vital for quality control. In medical settings however, people can look pale or even green if a light source doesn’t produce enough red, so having an accurate red rendering can help with diagnoses.

Where reds are concerned, a good R9 score is required. The maximum possible R9 score is 100 and achieving that is tough. Even ascertaining the R9 score of a product is difficult as most don’t specify it – and when they do, it’s often below 20. Luceco has identified R9’s importance and can offer R9 values of greater than 50, as a special option, on most products.

Shining a light on Net Zero

In the light of the ongoing environmental issues faced by everyone, Luceco recognises the important role it plays in achieving Net Zero. It’s low-carbon products have been developed to help businesses reduce energy consumption and achieve their own sustainability targets. As such, wholesalers stocking products that deliver on this front will be most successful.

Luceco product development focusses on a commitment to low-carbon and green targets, for example, the company is continuously improving the Lumens per Watt of its LED products to give customers more light for every Watt of energy they use. In addition, Luceco is improving how installed LEDs are distributed to reduce the number of lights needed and therefore the overall energy consumption.

Supplying sustainable lighting solutions

One example of Luceco’s sustainable lighting solutions is the Luxbay Ultra warehouse linear product, designed to replace traditional discharge lighting in commercial and industrial settings. The Luxbay Ultra consumes 50% less energy compared to traditional lighting solutions and has a longer life span.

And, whilst technology, especially for LED, is rapidly developing, it’s important to ensure that the recommendations, standards and guidance surrounding the technological advances improve to match the potential since this will help to push the sustainability agenda further forward.

LED lights typically produce useful light for two or even three times longer and consume up to 80% less energy than their conventional counterparts. This longer LED life produces savings throughout the product life cycle, including savings on materials, installation costs (as systems could run for 10 years or more) as well as maintenance and replacement costs, making them the go-to option for companies who are seriously targeting net zero.

Luceco’s FType range of fire-rated downlighters has been designed to not only provide highly energy efficient lighting, conforming to all the required regulations for this type of light, but also to pack a punch when it comes to product choice – the range features three models each packed with multiple benefits, simplifying the decision-making process for installers, saving them both time and money. Shrewd wholesalers will look at manufacturers who can deliver on this and more, including a reliable supply of product and technical advice and back up if required.

Lighting design service

With a wealth of outstanding lighting products to choose from, wholesalers as well as their customers, can benefit from Luceco’s free Lighting Design Service. Combining extensive product knowledge with exceptional design expertise, Luceco’s friendly team will work with customers to provide first class design solutions for any installation.

Luceco’s products can help businesses reduce their energy consumption and achieve their own sustainability targets. By investing in low-carbon solutions, companies can make a positive impact on the environment while also saving on energy costs. Luceco is at the forefront of thought leadership in this area, leading the way in sustainable product development and committing to reducing both its own and its customers’ carbon footprints.

More customers are approaching Luceco with their own sustainability goals, and by conducting a lighting audit, the company can make recommendations for new fixtures and controls that are designed to reduce energy consumption. Lighting companies have a responsibility to recognise this need and ensure they continually evolve business operation for the benefit of all – and as this demand from all end users continues to grow, wholesalers need to ensure that their chosen lighting manufacturer can deliver on this.

Find out more about Luceco here

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Tamlite Lighting has welcomed the British Council for Offices (BCO’s) new research agenda for sustainable offices which highlights the importance of efficient lighting.

The BCO has published its new research agenda in a 58-page working document that sets out a vision for the office as a sustainable part of the built environment. This vision is explored across four themed ‘Pillars’ – Economy, Business, Technology and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) – to shape a framework for a new research agenda.

Each pillar topic re-evaluates the notion of offices as capital assets, in light of the broader role of offices as a source of community and sustainable place-making in the UK. The document states: “An integral part of the brief for each research pillar was the need to consider change, not only in terms of the detailed issues being faced today but, critically, to take a longer-term perspective in order to anticipate challenges and turn them into opportunities.”

The research agenda calls for a focus on how to incorporate sustainable features, including efficient lighting, and technologies to reduce energy consumption, lower the carbon footprint, and promote environmental sustainability in the office sector.

Commenting on the BCO’s new research agenda, Richard Wharrad, Group Manager & Head of SSV at Tamlite, said: “The direction of travel for the BCO is clear; sustainability and ESG will frame the BCO’s research focus for years to come, influencing the decision-making processes of its members.

“As a leading lighting manufacturer committed to delivering sustainable lighting solutions, it is heartening to see the BCO recognise the contribution of lighting to sustainable offices. Compared to traditional lights, LEDs last five times longer and use 80% less energy. Less energy use means reduced carbon emissions, as well as cost savings.

“We look forward to seeing the results of the BCO’s research on office space over the next few years and the additional detail it will bring about how lighting is an effective, low cost, and high performance measure for supporting sustainability.”

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