Problem
One of the main challenges of this millennium is climate change, why sustainable initiatives are a necessity in an increasing global population. One of the challenges in developed countries is the consumer culture as most products are consumed and then discarded in a cradle-to-grave life cycle instead of entering in a loop as with cradle-to-cradle.
One of the initiatives taken to enhance the circular economy is from a company called Fischer Lighting, who provide retrofitted LED lighting solutions for offices and institutions to avoid discarding whole light installations. This is done by reusing the existing lamp armatures and only discarding the old and more energy consuming light sources (see picture below). To compete with the newest light solutions, they also installs smart control of light temperature, intensity and more to provide a better work environment.
The client Fischer Lighting presented two challenges.
1. New business opportunity of selling their solution to new building sites.
2. Detection of harmful substances in the acquired armatures.
However, the team chose the first challenge but with a different perspective, how to acquire old lamp armatures before they are discarded. Furthermore, matching supply and demand in the complex system would be crucial for moving into the market of selling refurbished lamps with Fischer Lighting technology to new buildings.
Target group
The concept is targeting the potential suppliers of old armatures and customers of the refurbished lamps. The suppliers would in this instance be The Municipality of Copenhagen, which at the moment are doing a lot of renovation projects at institutions in Copenhagen. Therefore, they have a lot of old armatures that Fischer Lighting could get their hands on, refurbish and sell to new building projects of offices, institutions, etc.
Solution
A sales platform acting as the joint between supplier and buyer, matching supply and demand in the complex system. The solution allows a way for armatures to be processed and sold meanwhile providing Fischer Lighting a way to expand their business to new building sites. Furthermore, the solution also acts as a user interface for both the suppliers, customers and Fischer Lighting. The electricians taking down the lamps can easily upload potential lamp armatures (see picture below) to Fischer Lighting, who can decide whether or not they want to accept it if the demand from the customers is present.
Value propositions
As the solution touches upon different stakeholders, it will have different values implied for each. Our solution connects the supply and demand of buyers and suppliers, allowing Fischer Lighting to take in armatures that are in demand as well as providing information regarding the possible supply.
Business model
Impact
Looking at UN SDGs the new solution would help improve towards two goals. As seen below:
By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and evnrionmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.
12.6:
Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
Links to more info
- Prototype: https://tinyurl.com/y6ktmofl
- Video: https://tinyurl.com/y2kcyux8
Team
