As the lighting industry continues its rapid evolution, particularly in the Commercial & Industrial (C&I) sector, a new and unsettling trend has emerged. In a recent episode of the Get a Grip on Lighting podcast, hosts Michael Colligan and Greg Eric introduced a term that has resonated deeply with industry professionals: the “Garbage Phase.” This phrase refers to a troubling stage in the C&I lighting industry’s development—one marked by an alarming increase in electronic waste, poor product repairability, and unsustainable design practices. In this blog, we’ll explore the concept of the “Garbage Phase” and why it’s becoming a pressing issue for the industry.
What is the "Garbage Phase"?
The “Garbage Phase” describes the current state of LED lighting in the C&I sector, where many products are being discarded at an alarming rate despite the promise of long-lasting, energy-efficient lighting. The hosts of Get a Grip on Lighting argue that the industry’s approach to LED fixture design—particularly the use of integrated fixtures—has created a product life cycle that contributes to waste rather than sustainability.
Here’s why the C&I lighting industry may have entered this unfortunate stage:
1. Overestimated Lifespan: While LED chips boast impressive longevity—often advertised as lasting 50,000 to 100,000 hours—the reality is that other components, such as drivers and IoT controllers, frequently fail before the LEDs themselves. This mismatch in lifespan leads to entire fixtures being discarded once a single component fails, resulting in an unnecessary waste of materials.
2. Integrated Fixture Designs: A major contributor to the “Garbage Phase” is the prevalence of integrated LED fixtures. Unlike traditional lighting systems where bulbs could be replaced while the housing remained intact, today’s LED fixtures often integrate the LED source, driver, and metal housing into one unit. If one part fails, the entire fixture is frequently thrown away. This design has drastically reduced the reuse potential of metal housings, which previously had lifespans measured in decades, sometimes even a century.
3. Lack of Repairability: Many modern LED fixtures are not designed for easy repair. Whether due to proprietary components, complex integration, or sealed designs, fixing a failed fixture can be either impossible or economically unfeasible. Repairing integrated LED fixtures is often impractical for electricians working on ladders, as intricate fixes are difficult to perform safely at height. Additionally, repeated installation and removal of ceiling-embedded fixtures can damage plasterboard ceilings, reducing their lifespan. This lack of repairability leads to frequent full replacements, contributing to waste and higher long-term costs.
4. Increased E-Waste: The cumulative effect of these design choices is an enormous rise in electronic waste (e-waste). Fixtures that should have lasted for decades are being scrapped in just a few years. This shift from long-term use to short-term disposal runs counter to the environmental promises of LED technology and is pushing the industry into an unsustainable direction.
How Did We Get Here?
The move to integrated fixtures was initially driven by the inherent advantages of LED technology—energy efficiency, longevity, and compactness. But along the way, manufacturers began to prioritize aesthetics and performance over repairability and sustainability. The thinking was that, because LEDs last so much longer than traditional bulbs, it made sense to combine them with housings for a sleek, modern design. What many didn’t account for was the failure of other components like drivers, which don’t last nearly as long.
Additionally, cost pressures played a role. Integrating components allowed for cost savings in the manufacturing process, as producing and assembling all-in-one units could be done more efficiently than building modular systems where each part could be swapped out or repaired. However, these short-term gains have led to long-term environmental costs.
Why It’s a Problem for the Industry？
The “Garbage Phase” not only has environmental consequences but also economic and reputational ones for the industry. Here’s why the industry must address it:
1. Environmental Responsibility: The lighting industry has positioned itself as a leader in sustainability by promoting the energy efficiency of LEDs. But the increase in e-waste from integrated fixtures undermines these claims. If the industry continues down this path, it risks being seen as part of the problem, not the solution, when it comes to environmental stewardship.
2. Customer Trust: Facility owners and managers expect long-lasting solutions when they invest in LED lighting. However, if fixtures fail prematurely and require full replacements, they will lose trust in manufacturers and suppliers. This dissatisfaction could lead to increased demand for more modular, repairable products and may eventually force companies to rethink their design strategies.
3. Missed Opportunities for Innovation: The current focus on integrated designs limits opportunities for innovation in modularity and recyclability. The industry could benefit from exploring new ways to design fixtures that allow for component upgrades, part replacements, and easy maintenance. This would not only extend product life but also reduce the burden on manufacturing resources and landfills.
How Can the Industry Move Forward?
To escape the “Garbage Phase,” the lighting industry needs to make a conscious shift toward modular designs, repairable products, and sustainable life cycle management. Here are a few key strategies:
1. Modular Fixture Design: Manufacturers should explore creating fixtures where individual components—LED chips, drivers, sensors, and housings—can be easily replaced or upgraded. This would not only extend the life of fixtures but also give customers more flexibility and reduce waste.
2. Extended Warranties and Repair Programs: Offering longer warranties and repair services could encourage the repair of fixtures rather than their disposal. This would require manufacturers to design products with repairability in mind and to build out service networks capable of handling repairs.
3. Education on Total Life cycle Costs: Manufacturers and industry leaders should work to educate end users about the total life cycle costs of integrated vs. modular fixtures. While integrated LED fixtures may have a lower upfront cost, the long-term costs—both financial and environmental—are much higher when factoring in early replacements and increased waste.
4. Regulatory and Industry Standards: Governments and industry bodies could step in to encourage more sustainable design practices. Regulations that promote recyclable materials, repairability, and waste reduction could help steer the industry toward more responsible production.
Conclusion
The C&I lighting industry is at a crossroads. While the energy-efficient promises of LED technology are real, the shift toward integrated fixture designs has led the industry into what Michael Colligan and Greg Eric of Get a Grip on Lighting aptly describe as a “Garbage Phase.” To move forward, manufacturers, designers, and industry leaders must prioritize sustainability, modularity, and repairability over short-term aesthetics and cost savings. Only by doing so can the industry fulfill its promise of being both efficient and environmentally responsible.
Reference
- Episode 356, Just the Hook, Get a Grip on Lighting
- Episode 341, The Phases of a Lighting Career, Get a Grip on Lighting
