Our Sustainability Policy - Together we can create a brighter future
Our focus
As a company, we know we have a duty to work collaboratively throughout the supply chain, from manufacture to the end user, to reduce waste.
Our aim is to do no harm to people or the planet.
We are proud to have made some progress in reducing waste and energy consumption within this business, yet we know we must not be complacent. We will continue our efforts along with our staff, manufacturing partners and our customers as we want to create a brighter future.
The United Nations has set out 17 goals for sustainable development.
It’s clear that whilst we all need to play our part to reduce energy consumption and reduce waste, businesses have a greater impact on the planet. To to that end, we need to make greater efforts to improve, thus making a lesser impression.
We have been focusing on Goals 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) which we feel will make the most significant shift and difference. Furthermore, we aim to help our consumers make better and cleaner choices.
We are proud of our forward thinking attitude to reduce energy our consumption. We believe our early adoption and considerable investment has been a huge benefit and helped us to reduce our energy consumption and that of our customers.
We use solar
Solar energy is a clean form of electricity we are embracing this in early 2015, we installed solar panels to the roof of our building this energy powered by the sun is used to heat and light our offices and warehouse. Our aim was to have a building completely powered by solar.
It is not possible to have solar powered energy in our retail premises as the roof is not owned by this company. To this ends we must try hard to reduce energy consumption within this buildings.
Use of Electric Vehicles
The director runs a company car which is wholly electric. An electric car changing point was installed in 2015 and was updated in 2019 to accommodate multiple vehicles and encourage our staff to do the same. The company van is hybrid and both vehicles are charged via these points which are powered by our solar panels, so they are not drawing power from the national grid.
We partner with DPD for our deliveries as we believe them to be aligned to our values using electric vehicles for the last miles of delivery wherever possible.
LED Lighting
Within our offices, we have all LED lighting which is the most energy efficient lighting there is.
Our two shops sell light fittings, every item on display is powered totally by LED.
LED lighting can save up to 90% on traditional incandescent bulbs and unlike previous energy saving alternatives they don't need to be ugly. We can supply almost every type of retro fit LED bulb and some exciting alternatives too!
See below some of favourite decorative LED bulbs:
Customer Education
The EU switch to LED lighting was a major task.
Daily we educate customers explaining the reasons this switch had to happen. Despite consumers initial reticence due to lack of knowledge, we switched our entire light bulb selection to LED.
Every time we sell a light fitting, we suggest LED light bulbs, providing consumers the most economical energy efficient lighting source.
We are working to further help consumers make informed decisions about the products they buy by introducing energy labels on each product.
Sustainable production and consumption
Goal 12 relates to sustainable consumption and production.
We have looked to select products that are sustainable, seeking out partners that do no harm to the environment.
This is fairly new within the lighting industry and not all manufactures have made the shift to sustainability.
Despite this, we actively seek to educate within the bounds of our knowledge to systematically shift towards manufactures that do good.
We are seeking to partner with brands who have an ethical stance regarding sustainability and waste reduction, further more we aim to provide consumers with this information allowing them to make informed choices.
Sustainable packaging
Sustainability and Waste
Our progress:
We are working towards reducing use of bubble wrap and plastics. This is an ongoing process.
We have largely managed to switch from bubble wrap to scrunched paper or recycled and second packaging that neighbouring business would class as waste.
We’ve invested in equipment to help us make the best use of packaging that is biodegradable. Customers are able to compost the shredded cardboard we use in our packaging.
There is a balance between packaging items for transport well to ensure they arrive intact. Ensuring that customers receive their goods in exemplary condition is vital.
In store and partners
In our stores, customers making a purchase will have their goods wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a paper. bag. The bags are strong and designed for multiple use.
We seek out brands who use resources that would otherwise go to waste to make beautiful products. We partner and sell goods from makers and manufactures who use sustainable and plant based resources which are quick to renew.
We will educate consumers and highlight products that we feel do good. Here are some examples of our latest partnerships.
Plant a Tree Products
Tree Planting Partnership we pay for planting a tree when any of these items are purchased.
This partnership works with charities to help provide solar power to some of the world poorest people who do not have access to electricity.
Where we sell products that are not made from a sustainable resource we try to ensure a proportion of the light can be recycled for example glass which is infinitely recyclable. If spare parts can be purchased to repair or alternative glasses can used, we endeavour to show consumers the options.
Where there are no recyclable parts, or very few, we opt for a superior quality that will provide use for a long period of time.
Some of our favourite fully sustainable products:
These Laura Ashley Wallpapers are all made from FSC paper:
How can you help?
We partner with THG / ECO that support re-forestation projects in Kenya, Madagascar and Haiti. In addition to the biodiversity conservation projects this also helps to support the local communities and improve food security and supply.
We believe that each small change we all make can make a big impact.
If you wish to join us you can plant a tree by adding a £1 (per tree) to your order or simply donating to plant a tree in your name.
Full details on the Plant a Tree page.
Into the Light Subscribers - Our pledge
We will plant a tree for each product sold from selected ranges if you'd like to hear more about our sustainability efforts why not sign up to our newsletter called 'Into The Light'
Our newsletter is full of great ideas, inspiration for everything home interiors and lighting.
Get regular information from The Lighting Company including:
- Exclusive in store events
- Exclusive Into The Light Newsletter Subscriber Discount Codes
- Be the first to hear about Sales / New Product Ranges
There is always more to do. . .
It’s clear that we want to shift to a sustainable economy. At this stage, not 100% of our product offering is sustainable, so our ongoing product sourcing continues. It’s complicated and we are working to provide as many sustainable options as we can. In an ever changing supply chain, we will work proactively to broaden our selection of sustainable products. We will collaborate with manufacturing and educate consumers wherever possible.
We aim to increase the number of products made within the UK we try to give preference to UK makers as this will reduce the supply chain and transport costs. In some cases, where products are more expensive than imported products, we will endeavour to educate consumers to why (in some cases) paying more helps to reduce co2 and ensure partner staff are paid fairly.
Be kind to people
Health and wellbeing of the staff that work for this company is important to us. We provide an EAP for our teams which includes free sessions with trained counsellors for those who need help with their mental wellbeing. In addition, we have a well-being app, which alongside many mental health support topics, also suggests menu options and exercise plans for those who want to stay fit and well.
We pay all of our staff in excess of the living wage rate and treat people fairly. We endeavour to ensure our partners do the same. The supply chain in some cases can be long and complicated. For that reason we opt to work with UK importers we trust treat people fairly, and are accredited with the Lighting Industry Association (an industry exclusive code of conduct that only supports members that can demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism, expertise and ethical standards.) In additional, we choose to work with those who want to do good and give back to communities and those that work with us to help us show transparency within the supply chain.