REDUCING THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF OUR PRODUCTS
As the global population continues to grow, it’s putting enormous stress on the earth’s eco-systems and dramatically degrading our shared environment.This has given rise to a triple planetary crisis – climate, biodiversity and pollution – and many experts believe the only way for us to overcome these crises is by creating a circular economy.
Moving from a Linear to a Circular Economy
The circular economy is a dramatic shift from our current linear TAKE – MAKE – WASTE economic model…
…to one in which we design out waste, keep products and materials at their highest and best use for as long as possible, and regenerate natural resources.
Our Circular Economy Priorities
The circular economy gives us the tools to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss together, while also addressing critical social challenges.
In focusing on a circular economy, through new product design and business models, Legrand can reduce its carbon emissions and help address climate change.
How can product design extend a product’s lifespan?
True circularity requires embedding modularity, serviceability and sustainable materials from the start.
Whether you’re a customer pushing suppliers for higher standards or a manufacturer leveraging circularity for a competitive advantage, this session will offer actionable insights to drive faster adoption of circular design.
Using Recycled Materials In Our Products
In 2024, our best-selling wire mesh cable tray was made from 97% recycled materials.
What’s more, it’s 100% recyclable at the end of life.
Now that’s a circular economy!
Eliminating Plastic in Packaging
Our audio-visual division replaced foam inserts in product packaging with 100% recyclable molded pulp, honeycomb and paper.
This change is projected to divert 112,000 lbs. of plastic from landfills and avoid more than 90 tons of non-renewable CO2 in the atmosphere each year.
Legrand Products Support High Performance Buildings
Many of our products help building owners meet performance criteria for leading high performance / green building rating systems.
Our products can contribute more than 30 points across five LEED categories to help move your project to LEED certification.
Eco-Designing New Products
To reduce our environmental impact, Legrand has incorporated eco-design principles into the development of new products.
That means we consider a product’s entire lifecycle – from design to end of life, focusing on raw material extraction and supply, manufacturing, product distribution, use, and end of life.
We consider:
- Raw materials consumption.
- Energy consumption
- Releases into the natural environment, including pollutants.
- Impacts on climate.
- Impacts on biodiversity.
Our goals include:
- Using fewer materials and resources in the manufacture of products.
- Using materials and resources obtained with the least environmental impact.
- Producing the least waste and pollution.
- Simplifying disassembly to make reusing and recycling easier.
Legrand's Data, Power & Control teams redesigned its popular high-density jack wallplate, providing spaces in the backplate where mounting screws easily snap in.
This eliminated the small plastic bag that previously held the screws and saves contractors time on large job sites by not having to open multiple plastic bags.
The overall redesign also improved the recyclability of the product at the end of life since the plastic backplate can now be easily separated from the metal faceplate.
Striving to create a working environment in which every employee feels recognized and valued.
Reducing our carbon footprint is critical in the fight to slow climate change.
Putting customers at the center of our actions enables us to better meet their needs.
Acting responsibly means respecting and supporting all stakeholders, including employees and customers.