Sustainability
Visa Lighting for you, your children, your children's children, their children's children, their children's children ...
Visa Lighting understands the importance of sustainability across our products, processes and our work environment. It is with the future in mind, we have taken steps today.
- Energy. Visa remains committed to the beauty and art of light and we have made a concerted effort to develop performance oriented products to enhance energy efficiency.
-
LED Solutions. Long life and low energy consumption LED lamps are integrated into products where 24 hour operation is required such as hospitals and atrium areas. LED source provides glow during daytime hours, while fluorescent with performance optics provides the evening illumination. The LED source can provide the after hours or rest time glow. Additionally, the use of LED adds no mercury into the waste stream.
-
Ballasts. In April of 2007, Visa Lighting announced that we would no longer incorporate fluorescent magnetic ballast in our product when electronic ballast is available. By incorporating electronic ballasts in place of the electronic counterpart, greenhouse gas emissions are curtailed and customers will experience decreased energy costs - up to 30%. An additional benefit, also resulting in energy savings and reduced costs, is the superb power control characteristic of the electronic ballast. Improved dimming capability further reduces energy consumption and flicker-less instant-on starts prolong lamp life.
-
Optics. Performance optics transforms a decorative product into a meaningful contributor of light. FP Optics utilizes the highest performance reflector materials to properly distribute as much light as possible. This optical system is available in many standard products and can be integrated into a wide variety of Visa Lighting products as a variation. New and updated products undergo computer aided optical design to insure great looking products are also tuned to provide the best use of energy.
-
LER. The inclusion of the LER rating on our products provides an industry recognized guideline for product comparison.
- Finishes. The quality of our products is critical to our long term success. Visa Lighting is equated with craftsmanship and rich patinas. However, we are tireless in our effor to provide quality in a responsible manner. Read more about Visa Lighting's effort and commitment in Products Finishing Magazine|PF Online.
- Powder Coat. Visa Lighting has shifted all colored paint options to powder coat to reduce its overall environmental impact. Powder coating is environmentally friendly; these no VOC finishes contain no solvents or hazardous material. It is significantly more durable than conventional paints and is extremely resistant to chips, abrasion, heat, UV light, fuel and chemicals. Powder coating eliminates runs, drips and sags common with wet paint finishes.
- Plating Alternative. Electroplating is harsh to the environment and the process is demanding on both water and energy use. Our alternative process utilizes a dye application within a UV resistant clear coating applied over an aluminum substrate. The end result is finishes with a natural metal appearance that closely match Satin Nickel and Brushed Chrome Plating. This helps reduce lead time with none of the environmental impact associated with conventional electroplating.
- Packaging. Shipping Visa Lighting product safely to your job site so that there is no breakage is a priority. In Summer 2007 we upgraded ou packing material to minimize the amount of packaging used without compromising the protection of shipped goods. It is produced without chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which have been associated with the depletion of the ozone layer. The packing material can be returned to any of over 20 worldwide foam-return locations.
- Recycling. The manufacturing floor recycles all metals and scrap acrylic used by Visa Lighting. The metals are separated by material type, such as aluminum or copper. We recycle not only our solids, but also our shavings. Visa Lighting recycles electronic components, ballasts, batteries, and lamps. Cardboard and wood are also a part of the expansive recycling program.
- Air Filtration System. In the machining department, the venting system goes to a smoke/fume extractor and is not exhausted outside. The cleaned conditioned air stays inside the building, which saves energy.
- Waste Water Discharge. Visa Lighting has consistently been named to "Significant Industrial User Honor Roll" as named by Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
- Bike Racks and Showers. Supporting employees who cycle to work helps Visa Lighting to reduce overall emissions. Employees can ride their bikes to work and use the company shower and locker rooms to refresh prior to work. The average passenger car emits more than 115 pounds of smog-forming emissions each year. The average light truck or SUV emits almost 164 pounds of smog-forming emissions annually.
- Location to Public Transportation. Visa Lighting is conveniently located within 600 ft. of a public bus route. Employees are able to utilize public transportation and minimize the need for individual transportation.
- Green space. The Visa Lighting facility creates a minimal footprint on the building site. Approximately 60% is green space and 20% of the site is natural landscaping.
- Building Control System. Visa Lighting utilizes the Metasys Building Control System in order to program HVAC as well as equipment setbacks to reduce energy consumption and maintain a comfortable work place. Lighting in low use areas is controlled by motion sensors to reduce energy consumption.
- Recycling. Visa Lighting has an active recycling effort including paper, glass, plastic and aluminum.
- Daylight and Views. Open office areas of Visa Lighting employees are placed to provide access to daylight and views providing a positive and productive work environment.
