Research project at JU about obsolete lighting

The Swedish Energy Agency has given the go-ahead for the School of Engineering (JTH), Jönköping University (JU), to carry out the research project "Discard or recycle" on circular economy and obsolete lighting. The project is led by Annika Jägerbrand and Christoph Merschbrock at the Department of Construction Engineerig and Lighting Science at JTH.

“It is fantastic and exciting that we get the opportunity to immerse ourselves in this important subject area and to be able to collaborate with RISE and the University of Paul Sabatier in Toulouse, France, on this important issue,” says Annika Jägerbrand, project leader for “Discard or recycle”.

The development of lighting and light sources is rapid, and this means that LED products can contain different metals depending on the manufacturer. This complicates resource recycling and increases the risk that the LED products end up in the trash instead of being recycled.

It may also be that the lighting is recycled to varying degrees depending on local and national regulations. That is why Annika Jägerbrand should take a closer look at what happens with obsolete lights are thrown in the garbage.

“It feels like a very relevant project considering Jönköping University's goals on sustainability,” she says.

The Swedish Energy Agency considers the "Discard or recycle” project a relevant and an up-to-date issue, of broad social interest, and that it can contribute to the ongoing life cycle analysis development.

The Agency grants Annika Jägerbrand’s project up to SEK 800,000. The preliminary study will last from 1 September 2020 and to 31 March 2022 and it will be carried out within the framework of the Energy Efficiency program in the EELYS lighting area. The project "Discard or recycle" also includes Maria Nilsson Tengelin, RISE, and Professor Georges Zissis from Toulouse III University - Paul Sabatier, France.