Individually and as a company, we each have a responsibility to do as much as we can to protect the environment. Adopting LED light sources for fluorescence microscopy can help laboratories become more sustainable, saving energy and reducing the carbon footprint when compared with using mercury lamps.
At CoolLED, we actively support sustainability through the ACT certification of our pE-300 Series, and we also offer a product recycling programme.
An independent comparison study of a CoolLED Illumination System and a traditional mercury bulb was carried out by Andy Evans of Green Light Laboratories. This mercury versus LED study found that a mercury lamp consumed more than 10 times more energy over 25,000 hours of use compared to a CoolLED pE-300ultra, with a potential saving of £30,000.
These numbers might seem surprising, but the reason is this: Conventional mercury based microscope illuminators such as mercury and metal halide bulbs require a warm up period before use and a cool down period after switch off before they can be safely used again. On the other hand, LEDs switch on/off instantly and need only draw power when illumination is required. Many laboratories leave their mercury based illuminators switched on all day to ensure its availability when required, yet an LED based illumination system can be powered up in no time at all.
Mercury in the environment gradually accumulates in tissue as it passes through the food chain, damaging wildlife populations. Due to its harm to people and the environment, the use and disposal of mercury is subject to legislation in many countries. More information can be found here.
It also poses a significant health and safety risk to humans, and offers another reason to adopt LED technology for fluorescence microscopy.
Proving our commitment to shaping a more sustainable future for microscopy around the world, the pE-300 Series is ACT Label certified.
With almost 40% of energy at university campuses being used by laboratories, steps need to be taken to increase the sustainability of lab technology. That’s why we’ve strived to achieve ACT Label accreditation for the pE-300 Series.
Introduced by My Green Lab, the ACT Label stands for accountability, consistency and transparency. It’s a means of measuring the Environmental Impact Factor of a product by reviewing the environmental impact of the product itself, its manufacturing process, packaging and disposal.
It allows institutions to purchase lab equipment with the knowledge they are not only helping the world they live in-but keeping energy, water and disposal costs down for themselves.
All qualifying products that are subject to the WEEE Directive and supplied by CoolLED are compliant with the WEEE marking requirements. Such products are marked with the “crossed out wheelie bin” WEEE symbol and in accordance with European Standard EN 50419.
CoolLED Certificate No: WEE/GB4236XX
Find out more about the WEEE Directive here.
Based on information obtained from our component suppliers, this statement certifies that ALL products manufactured and supplied by CoolLED Ltd are in compliance with Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2011 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (also known as “RoHS”).
This declaration is correct to the best of CoolLED Ltd knowledge, information and belief at the date of its release. Contact CoolLED for more information.
At CoolLED, we recognise the importance of preserving the global environment. We are proud to provide a Recycling Programme that enables CoolLED customers and end-users to send back used CoolLED Illumination Systems for recycling, free of charge.
Together we can reduce the burden on our environment through responsible disposal and recycling of End‑of‑Life Illumination Systems. You can help us by filling in our online contact form and providing us with your contact details and the serial number of the CoolLED Illumination System that you wish to return and we will collect it free of charge.
If you are taking delivery of a replacement CoolLED Illumination System, why not send the old one back in the packing box of the new one?