ESSENTIAL CEDIA
GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY Tas Kyriacou from CEDIA Member IDS, takes a look at the challenges facing the industry in order to tackle climate change. Buildings and construction play a major part in climate change, accounting for nearly 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions - whilst also having a significant impact on our natural habitats. The whole premise of home automation products are to help conserve energy. The smart home solutions that we install can integrate renewable energy sources and pave the way for; more energy efficient equipment operation, faster and more accurate appliance repairs, and a reduction in product waste. Just by looking at lighting and heating controls alone, there are significant savings to be made. The Energy Savings Trust states that homeowners can save 320Kg of carbon dioxide a year by installing and correctly using home temperature controls1. Additionally, switching or dimming lights in response to presence detection and daylight levels, for instance, can save between 20% and 60% of lighting energy. – Lutron. But what about the products themselves, including materials and packaging? From April 2022, the UK Government will be introducing a new tax that will affect UK producers of plastic packaging, importers of plastic packaging, business customers of producers and importers of plastic packaging, and consumers who buy goods in plastic packaging in the UK2.
28 MAY 2021
This tax will provide a clear economic incentive for businesses in our industry to use recycled material in the production of plastic packaging. This will create greater demand for this material and in turn stimulate increased levels of recycling and collection of plastic waste, diverting it away from landfill or incineration. But what happens once the products themselves reach end of life? The UN predicts that in 2021 we will create 52.2 million metric tons of E-waste (one of the fastest-growing streams of waste). Many smart devices contain precious resources that could be recycled, if designs allow. We would like to see more home automation manufacturers follow the examples set by lighting manufacturers, where several ‘take back’ and recycling schemes have been initiated, such as ‘Recolight’ and ‘the Green Light Alliance’. There are no white papers, statistics, or a clear path on tackling this issue at the moment. However, we at IDS are keen to push this agenda and demonstrate the importance of working together to create a cleaner environment for our industry, partners, and clients.
WHAT ARE WE DOING?
In response to the industry’s situation, IDS has devised a process for 2021 to move from linear thinking to a more circular approach.
For refurbishment projects, where we cannot update hardware via software upgrades, we will aim to wipe, reset, and remove old equipment. Where we can, we will upcycle to ensure these products can be utilised, wherever possible, donating proceeds to organisations that help create awareness for a circular economy. If equipment is no longer serviceable, then we have partnered with an innovative recycling company LITTA. They recycle 93% of the goods they collect. Our on-site engineers can snap a picture of the old equipment and packaging that needs disposing of and upload it to the LITTA app to arrange collections within the day, who will professionally recycle. We’re joining forces with Seven Integration and CEDIA to drive this agenda forwards. We’d welcome like-minded integrators, distributors and manufacturers to join us and help our industry change its practices and behaviours for the better – email info@idsgroup.uk.com to find out how you can get involved. 1. Based on typical savings for a three-bedroom semi-detached home heated by gas. Figures are based on fuel prices as of May 2020. 2. More information on the Plastic Packaging Tax can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introductionof-plastic-packaging-tax
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