Sustainability is at the forefront of lighting design and building construction. While Viscor aspires to help reduce construction-based waste streams through offering a bulk packaging program, we also strive to provide continually improved energy efficient lighting products through the use of leading edge LED technology and integrated lighting controls. For example, Viscor has over 2,600 qualified lighting products listed with Design Lights Consortium and continues to grow its portfolio in energy efficient LED lighting for most markets.
The Actions We Are Taking
Today, there is a continued growing appreciation and understanding of the importance of sustainability. Governments, businesses, and individuals each want to contribute to making the world a better, healthier place for the present generation as well as future generations. Viscor recognizes the environmental impact that a business can have on its surrounding community and as a community-based manufacturer, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and carbon footprint through having become a socially responsible manufacturer. We strive to employ sustainability through all levels of our operations while also working towards continually improving on our manufacturing and operational processes.
Viscor is committed to protecting our communities by designing, manufacturing, and delivering sustainable lighting solutions to diverse market segments. As a part of our ongoing commitment to ongoing environmental stewardship, Viscor performs monthly assessments with which data is submitted for compliance confirmation to various governmental regulatory organizations.
New Construction
Retrofit Project
Retrofit solutions provide a unique way of contributing to sustainability through preventing additional lighting components from entering the waste stream during a lighting upgrade. From standard to non-standard ceiling grids, lighting retrofits can allow for the existing luminaire housing to remain as the frame of an integrated retrofit kit which would prevent a large component of the existing luminaire from entering the waste stream. Further to this, retrofit solutions also help with preventing and disturbance to the plenum space above the ceiling when infection control and maintained air quality are a priority.
Through Innovation
At Viscor, innovation doesn’t always focus on the product performance and technology upgrades. Wherever possible, Viscor strives to look for continuous improvements within our design and manufacturing processes. Though incorporating improvements in manufacturing, we have reduced the annual consumption of fasteners (screws) by over 80% through an innovation implemented during the luminaire assembly process. This level of reduction has also allowed us to reduce the amount of compressed air by ~90%.
Energy Systems
To help reduce our energy footprint, all offices and manufacturing areas are using the latest in energy efficient LED lighting. In addition to this, these areas also utilize lighting controls and window shades to further reduce our energy consumption in both lighting, heating, and cooling.
Recycling Efforts
Viscor has committed to reducing waste streams throughout the daily operations by recycling or reusing renewable materials and committing to removing waste from landfill. Unused materials such as corrugate, plastic and steel are recycled and on average up to 90% of the manufacturing facility waste stream is recycled.
Bulk Packaging
Viscor offers a bulk packaging program for lighting projects which allows for consolidated shipping with the potential for fewer transport trucks leaving our facility. With utilizing this approach, Viscor is helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions though reducing the number of vehicles required to ship projects to site, while also reducing the volume of materials required to be returned for recycling.
Viable Paint Lines
We use RoSH (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) compliant powder coatings to improve on the reflectance that is required for efficient luminaires. Powder coating produces less waste material than conventional liquid coatings. The coatings emit zero or near zero volatile organic compounds which promote better air quality.
Water Efficiencies
Our manufacturing process utilizes water conservation which allows the reuse water of up to 4 times. This process also decreases the amount of water consumption by 5 times over day to day operation of the facility (including the use of low flow toilets/urinals).
Location & Transporation
Viscor encourages all employees to act in a socially responsible manner. Along with being located on a bus path, and 7 minutes from Go-Transit and UP Express, we have installed charging stations for electrical cars and bike racks to urge an environmentally friendly way of travel. Helping to reduce the carbon footprint, many Viscor employees happily carpool to work each day.
California Proposition 65
Proposition 65, officially the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a law that requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. These chemicals can be in the products that Californians purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. By requiring that this information be provided, Proposition 65 enables Californians to make informed decisions about their exposures to these chemicals.
More Information
Furthermore, Viscor, a Leviton company's foundation is built on family values, which guides us to conduct our business in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. Its our company’s commitment to make products that enhance people lives and benefit the planet. Its what we do.
