White Light
White Light has supplied the entertainment industry with creative lighting for nearly 40 years. It employs over 100 people in its office and warehouse facility in South Wimbledon.
White Light has consciously invested in low carbon technologies as a priority. They invest half of their annual £1.5 million new equipment budget into new LED technology, such as the EvenLED. These fixtures are now proving to do a better job lighting a show than previously praised fixtures such as the Source 4s and the 2000w fixtures of the late 90s, and are reducing the power requirements for that lighting by up to 75%. New LED technology provides a reduced cost of ownership – reducing waste by not requiring replacement lamps and generating less heat.
Bryan Raven of White Light has also created the White Light Green Guide which is a practical guide to help lighting designers and riggers to become more aware of the environmental issues, understanding what low energy lighting solutions may work in specific circumstances, and providing helpful tips on how to reduce energy consumption and waste almost immediately within a normal working day.
Energy
White Light has begun weekly energy use monitoring and has installed energy efficiency measures including:
- motion sensor lights in toilets
- low energy fluorescents in existing lighting
- time switches on coffee machines and printers
- mains fed water heaters on timers
- a culture of “switching off”
Staff engagement
- The company’s environmental policy is part of the staff handbook and induction.
- A staff ‘green team’ meets every couple of months. Company directors have found engagement levels and effectiveness improved since the directors took a step back from active participation.
- Staff behaviour and ideas on issues such as commuting and waste are regularly surveyed. The results and related information are shared via monthly staff briefings.
- on the intranet and “Green notice board”.
Waste and recycling
White Light has completed a full waste audit as they work to achieve environmental management standard BS8555. They recycle and reuse paper, cardboard, cans, wooden palettes, plastic cups and packing material. Remaining waste is primarily non recyclable packaging, and White Light is purchasing a waste compactor to process. A compactor will reduce waste collection costs by 75% and deliver payback in under 12 months.
Client and supply chain engagement
Whilst the majority of lighting design decisions are still made based on finances, taking a lead in supplying low carbon lighting has opened doors. Lower carbon lighting also brings internal benefits: it requires less power and maintenance.
White Light has found that demonstrating certified environmental performance (such as BS8555) is an increasingly important criterion in public sector contract tenders – and the corporate world is close behind.
