REGENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS
RLS aims to reach its goals alongside the three axes of Sustainability.
We are aware that Sustainability is not a static goal, but a complex goal with various levels of inter-dependency between the environment, the economy and society.
We therefore, aim to grow as a company while trying the minimize any negative social and environmental impacts.
CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Most of today’s manufacturing takes raw materials from the environment and turns them into new products, which are then disposed into the environment after use. It’s a linear process with a beginning and an end. In this system, limited raw materials eventually run out. Waste accumulates, either incurring expenses related to disposal or else polluting. The circular economy is a new way of creating value, and ultimately prosperity. It works by extending product lifespan through improved design and servicing, and relocating the waste from the end of the supply chain to the beginning, in effect, using resources more efficiently by using them over and over, not only once.
At RLS, all our products are designed for disassembly, enabling future harvesting of parts. By using Aluminium as our dominant manufacturing material, our products are easily recycled. We offer guarantees on all our Aluminium and electronic parts, making servicing an integral part of product offering.
LED LIGHTING & SENSORS
Although LEDs use significantly less energy and last longer than traditional light sources, it is possible to increase this gap even further by using strategies best suited to the application. One of those strategies is to use occupancy sensors. By using sensors throughout our office space, we have been able to significantly reduce energy consumption on our lighting loads. This also means the LED's do not burn for as long, resulting in a longer life span. Reducing energy consumption is key to the sustainability of our nation. We take this same mindset into every project we tackle where we aim to assist and guide our clients with strategies for reducing energy consumption on their lighting loads.
ALUMINIUM
Regent Lighting's products are all made primarily from aluminium, a remarkable metal for a whole host of reasons: Aluminium is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust and, after oxygen and silicon, is the 3rd most abundant element therein. It makes up about 8% of the Earth's solid surface by weight but does not occur in nature as a free metal. Aluminium is too chemically reactive and is found combined in over 270 different minerals, the chief source being bauxite ore.
Although energy intensive in its conversion, aluminium is seen as an “energy storer” as the original energy used to convert it does not get lost. In the recycling of the metal, the original stored energy is reused, and only 5% of the original energy input is required to recycle aluminium without any loss in quality. Regent uses only recycled aluminium. Runners and flaring cut-off during the manufacturing process are all remelted, nothing is wasted.
CHEMICAL NEUTRALISING
Solid waste from secondary aluminium production facilities is mainly in the form of “salt cake.” Salt is used to “flux” the dross formed at the surface of molten metal to eliminate contaminants and maximize metal recovery. A significant amount of salt cake is recycled either at the production facility or specialized dross recycling facilities. Recycling involves breaking the cake down into aluminum metal, aluminum oxides, and salt. After recycling, the rest of the residue is often landfilled at designated locations or can be used as feedstock in cement kilns.
ELECTRONIC WASTE
Regent Lighting ensures that all electronic waste is disposed of correctly and in accordance with the industry's waste management act.
Regent Lighting Solutions: EPR Compliance Statement
Regent Lighting Solutions is fully compliant with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations, R1184 & R1185, promulgated under Section 18 of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (No. 59 of 2008).
As a registered producer with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) (Reg. No. 19/7/7/M/20221012/1084), Regent Lighting Solutions is listed among the compliant companies and actively fulfills its EPR obligations.
To ensure full regulatory compliance, we have partnered with ERA (E-Waste Recycling Authority) as our PRO (Producer Responsibility Organisation). This partnership ensures that we meet all necessary reporting and compliance requirements for the years 2022, 2023, and 2024.
AEL LICENCING
Regent Lighting is up to date with its Atmospheric Emissions License (AEL). An AEL is a permit allowing license holders to demonstrate that certain processes or appliances are operated in accordance with national air quality regulations.
SOLAR
In December 2014, we commissioned the installation of a 300kWp rooftop grid-tied photovoltaic solar system, 1200 x 250W polycrystalline panels are utilised. The system generates approximately 350MWh per annum and saves 371 tons of CO, equivalent to 66 cars being taken off the road per year, 86 homes powered per year and 9650 trees cleansing the air per year.
GAS
RLS incorporates the use of piped natural gas in heating their furnaces. Melting is one of the core steps for processing secondary aluminium. This step is energy-intensive and impacts both the productivity and total cost of your aluminium production. The increasing demand in quality, efficiency, energy conservation, and environmental issues drive the operators of high-temperature processes to optimize their furnaces. Most secondary metal production facilities use natural gas and electric power as primary sources of energy. Natural gas is the cleanest and the most efficient available energy source for aluminium melting.
POWDER COATING
Powder coating is considered a “green” technology that doesn’t generate harmful solvents or airborne pollutants.
Compared to painting, powder coating reduces finishing line emissions, produces far less harmful waste by-products, and doesn’t pose a significant health risk to your employees or neighbours.
PACKAGING
RLS’s corrugated packaging is made from 100% recycled paper and is recyclable. Our supplier’s recyclable material is sourced from a national network of independent agents, SMME’s and empowerment-driven initiatives. A portion is also sourced from the 4 Planet Care Waste Management’s sites via numerous loose collections and on-site waste management programmes, from commercial clients, offices, buy-back centres, etc.
Our plastic film supplier uses recycled Low-Density Polyethylene to produce their film. Bubble wrap and pallet wrap is generally made from virgin LD-PE. When recycled, LD-PE's environmental effect is less than bio-degradable alternatives due to its low energy and natural resource consumption. We therefore urge all South Africans to join us in actively participating in recycling. Regent Lighting aims to be at the forefront of new technology and would continuously aim to improve its environmental footprint with superior alternatives.