Sparks fly as chamfered bronze chain is hand hammered on a work bench.

Sustainability in Manufacturing

Remains Lighting Company is committed to environmental stewardship from the fabrication of our lighting designs to the operation of our workspaces. Headquartered in a LEED Gold–certified factory in Bushwick, Brooklyn, we craft products of quality and longevity using environmentally conscious methods.

As a sustainable lighting manufacturer, our decades-long commitment to sustainable production is built into this factory, the power we draw, and the materials we employ in every process.

A barrel of brass chips, captured from a CNC lathe, held for pick up by the brass recycler.
A group of recycled brass tube, billet, and round sits on a shelf awaiting transformation into custom lighting parts.
A close up view of a patina bath, part of the closed loop patina and plating department at Remains Lighting.

Sustainable Lighting Manufacturing Processes

From start to finish, our lighting manufacturing processes are designed to optimize sustainability. For example, our fabrication department machines recycled brass on equipment fitted with energy-saving variable speed drives, and we finish our light fixtures in closed-loop plating and patina systems, which do not discharge to municipal water sources. Through these initiatives and more, Remains meets and exceeds best practices in efficiency, material use, and pollution control.

In addition, we have been localizing, onshoring, and bringing our production in-house for the last 20 years. By handling our own machining, welding and brazing, sheet-metal work, electroplating, polishing, and assembly, we minimize transportation emissions, maintain strict oversight of environmental practices, and reduce waste at every step.

A wide angle photo of the rooftop solar array and sedum garden at the Remains Lighting factory, with a view of the Empire State Building in the distance.

Our LEED Gold–Certified Sustainable Factory

Our Brooklyn factory is proudly designated as a LEED Gold–certified building, a recognition of the rigorous sustainability standards built into its design and daily operations. We source non-polluting power from the 17KW solar array on our roof and from a wind farm in upstate New York. Our storm water retention system irrigates the 1500 square feet of succulents that share the roof with our solar panels, cool and insulate the building, and act as carbon sinks. Paired with ceiling fans and retractable awnings on thermostatic sensors, our natural cooling methods require minimal energy. Remains uses a combination of daylight harvesting techniques and sophisticated sensors that switch fixtures on and off as needed to maximize energy efficiency.

Eco-Friendly Packaging

Our lighting company’s commitment to sustainability continues through the careful and eco-conscious shipping of each light fixture purchased. We participate in the UPS carbon neutral shipment program, which offsets the impact of emissions from shipping each package, to support environmental protection efforts at no cost to our clients. We also package most of our products with cornstarch "peanuts" and 100% recycled paper.

A view of the Brooklyn factory garden in which rosemary, marigold, cucumbers, chard, tomatoes and a fig tree grow.
Afternoon outdoor barbeque in the parking lot and vegetable garden at the Remains Lighting factory in Brooklyn, NY.
A box of banana pepper, red pepper, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, green tomatoes, rosemary, and chard, harvested from the garden at Remains Lighting in Brooklyn.

Sustainability in Action

Our employees exercise the company commitment to sustainability by planting a garden on factory grounds. In the warmer months, members of the local community join the Remains team to harvest and enjoy an array of fresh vegetables and herbs.


From our factory to your space, Remains Lighting Company brings sustainable craftsmanship to every fixture. Browse our lighting collections or visit our About page to learn more.