In a world increasingly aware of its environmental responsibilities, the founding of
SustainabLED marks a pivotal response to the unsustainable practices that have long
plagued the lighting industry. The founders, drawing from extensive experience in the
sector, witnessed alarming trends: complete lamp fittings tossed aside simply due to the
failure of one or two components. This wasteful cycle is exacerbated by a market that often
incentivizes disposal over repair, leading to a culture of throwaway products that harm both
consumers and the planet. With a vision to halt this madness, SustainabLED was born.
The lighting industry has long operated on a model that prioritizes low upfront costs for
consumers, often at the expense of sustainability. This situation is worsening. Many lamps
are designed without consideration for their longevity or the feasibility of repair. As a result,
when a component fails—be it a bulb, connector, or electronic part—the entire fitting is
frequently discarded. This not only contributes to significant waste but also reflects a
broader consumer mindset that views lighting as a disposable commodity.
The founders’ experiences revealed an even more frustrating reality: it is often cheaper to
buy a new lamp than to repair an existing one – and once again, this trend is accelerating.
With the rise of automation in manufacturing, the cost of producing new lamps has
decreased dramatically. Consequently, even when components are recyclable, the
economics of repair simply do not make sense for most consumers. This situation creates a
cycle of consumption that perpetuates waste and environmental degradation. Completely
unsustainable.
One of the most exasperating aspects of the lighting market is the way lamps are marketed,
often emphasizing wattage instead of actual light output. Consumers are led to believe that
lower wattage equates to energy efficiency, which can be misleading. A consumer might
purchase a high-wattage lamp at a low initial cost, only to discover that it produces a
mediocre level of light output, thereby and incurring higher energy costs – up to double at
the time of writing this article. This disconnect between the sales process which
understandably is to maximise immediate point of sales profit – and – performance
complicates the decision-making process for consumers, who may not fully understand the
long-term financial and environmental implications of their choices.
Recognizing this critical issue, SustainabLED feels compelled to educate consumers about
the true costs of their lighting decisions. The company has developed a Capital & Running
Cost Comparison Tool available on its website, www.SustainabLED.io. This tool allows users
to easily compare the initial purchase price of any two lamps with their expected energy
running costs, providing clarity and helping consumers make informed decisions for their investment. The results will often shock but the decision final decision will be that of the customer. A properly informed one.
At the heart of SustainabLED’s mission is a commitment to “Stop-The-Madness!” The
company is dedicated to producing exceptionally high-quality, high-performance lamps that
are not only efficient but also repairable and renewable. SustainabLED’s innovative design
allows for easy repairs that can be performed without any specialized skills or tools. This
user-friendly approach empowers consumers, enabling them to maintain their lighting
solutions without incurring costly service fees.
To further support this mission, SustainabLED offers an 8-year STANDARD warranty on its
core products and a 5-year warranty on its core products, reflecting confidence in their
durability and performance. This long warranty period stands in stark contrast to the short
lifespans typical of many conventional lamps, which often lead to repeated purchases and
increased waste. Add on energy saving sensors and the lifetime goes even higher.
Add to that, the fact that you can then replace the light engine or a driver without the need
for tech skill or tools, the lifetime as they put it “heads for the horizon”
SustainabLED recognizes that to disrupt the traditional lighting market, it must offer
competitive pricing while ensuring accessibility for consumers. To achieve this, the company
has implemented a two-tier pricing structure: a recommended retail price (RRP) and a trade
price. By selling directly to consumers via e-commerce platforms, SustainabLED eliminates
the need for unnecessary intermediary costs. This approach allows the company to pass on
the significant cost savings directly to the end users, making sustainable options more
financially viable.
Moreover, this direct selling strategy supports the company’s goal of empowering
consumers and contractors alike. Contractors can send low-cost apprentices to handle
repairs, democratizing access to maintenance and further reducing overall costs.
SustainabLED aims to foster a community of informed consumers and skilled partners who
prioritize sustainability and efficiency.
SustainabLED has chosen to focus its initial efforts on the high bay lamp sector, which
represents a high-volume, high-value, and high-waste area. This sector is particularly
challenging, with many lighting solutions contributing to excessive waste due to poor design
and limited repair options. By starting here, SustainabLED aims to make a significant impact
and establish itself as a leader in sustainable lighting solutions.
The company’s commitment to innovation extends to the integration of universal clip-on
sensors which then connect directly into the dim connector, both analogue and digital, the
lamps are enabled to whatever they wish to. SustainabLED believes in removing limits for
everyone in the chain. By developing products that are not only efficient but also smart,
SustainabLED is positioning itself at the forefront of the lighting industry’s evolution.
As the company continues to grow, its commitment to sustainability remains unwavering.
The company is determined to lead the charge in transforming the lighting industry by
offering products that are not only high-quality and energy-efficient but also designed for
repair and reuse. The message is clear: The Founders believe that if they provide excellence
in affordability, efficiency, build quality, running costs and investment protection to
everyone in stakeholder chain, everyone wins. Check out their first offering – The World’s
Best High Bays – at sustainabled.io