Circular lighting: designing to last, not to consume

The transition toward a circular economy is not just a slogan: it is a concrete challenge for industry. And lighting—often underestimated—can play a decisive role.

For years, the model has been linear: an installation is set up, used until it stops working, then replaced entirely. But this approach generates massive amounts of electronic waste and hidden costs. True innovation is not only switching to LED, but redesigning systems to make them modular and upgradeable.

A circular lighting fixture is not a closed product: it is a set of components that can be disassembled and replaced. If a driver fails, the entire device doesn’t need to be discarded. If technology evolves, only the optical or electronic module can be upgraded. This approach is no longer utopian: some manufacturers are already adopting design-for-disassembly principles, making luminaires easier to maintain and recycle.

The advantages are many:

• Reduced environmental impact, with less WEEE to dispose of
• Lower maintenance costs and fewer system downtimes
• Longer service life and stronger return on investment
• Compliance with increasingly strict environmental regulations

Looking ahead, innovative business models are emerging as well: “lighting as a service”, where companies no longer purchase luminaires but benefit from a long-term service. In this scenario, maintenance and upgrades become part of the contract, and sustainability becomes a measurable competitive advantage. The future will be made of products designed not only to consume less energy, but to stay in service longer, adapting to technological advances without immediately turning into waste. Circular lighting is a key piece of this transformation: an approach that not only illuminates, but also teaches us to conserve resources.