STICKBULB: ILLUMINATING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH SALVAGED WOOD AND LOCAL CRAFTSMANSHIP
- DARYL AVERY SWANSON
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
In today’s world, sustainability is more critical than ever. Many individuals and businesses are prioritizing eco-friendly brands to reduce their environmental impact.
If you’re searching for a sustainable lighting solution, Stickbulb is a company leading the charge. By crafting modern lighting from salvaged wood, Stickbulb is redefining sustainable design through recycling materials, local production, and climate-conscious practices.
Since 2020, Stickbulb has collaborated with Climate Neutral to track, reduce, and offset emissions. In 2022, they became B Corporation certified, meeting the highest standards of social and environmental impact.
But how did they achieve these milestones?
CLIMATE-CONSCIOUS DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING
As part of their partnership with Climate Neutral, Stickbulb has developed a strategy to work with salvaged materials, local vendors, and modular flat-pack designs to maintain a net-zero carbon footprint. They balance greenhouse gas emissions by investing in projects that counteract their environmental impact.
Their modular flat-pack designs help reduce the environmental cost of shipping, and by sourcing materials locally and producing in their New York City studio, they minimize transportation emissions. This approach not only supports sustainability but also strengthens their connection with local craftspeople.
SALVAGED WOOD: A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO LIGHTING
What does “salvaged” wood really mean?
New York City is home to over 14 million cubic meters of old-growth timber. Each year, around 1,000 buildings constructed with this material are torn down for renovations - equivalent to approximately 5.5 Statues of Liberty in wood volume.
Unfortunately, most of this wood is dumped into landfills, where it decomposes and releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Determined to prevent this waste, Stickbulb repurposes wood from demolished buildings, dismantled water towers, and fallen trees - often sourced within just a few miles of their studio.
The company was founded on the principle of transforming wood scraps into architecturally inspired, artistic lighting solutions. By doing so, they turn what would have been waste into stunning, sustainable fixtures.
TREELINE: PIONEERING A NEW SUPPLY CHAIN
New York City’s urban forest includes approximately 7 million street and park trees, which provide shade, absorb carbon, and support local wildlife. However, the city’s ongoing development leads to the removal of about 12,500 trees annually to accommodate new construction.
Stickbulb actively sponsors Trees New York, an organization dedicated to planting, preserving, and protecting NYC’s urban forest. In collaboration with the NYC Parks Department and other forestry partners, they have helped divert this wood from the waste stream. Traditionally, these trees would be chipped, but Stickbulb, as an active coalition member of Forest For All NYC, has worked diligently to change this process.
TREELINE by Stickbulb is the first-ever lighting product made from salvaged wood sourced from NYC’s urban forest. The raw materials are processed and milled on the Brooklyn waterfront, just over a mile from Stickbulb’s studio. From there, the wood is crafted into the powerful and visually striking TREELINE luminaires, which deliver up to 1800 lumens per foot. The three iconic finishes - black, natural, and white - preserve and celebrate the unique character of this reclaimed material.
THE UNIQUE BEAUTY OF SALVAGED WOOD SELECTIONS
Stickbulb applies natural plant oils and waxes to enhance the beauty of their salvaged wood. A significant portion of their materials comes from Pin-oak, the second most common tree species in NYC’s urban forest. In addition to Pin-oak, they also work with a variety of other reclaimed and sustainably sourced woods.
Other Decorative Reclaimed Woods:
Maple: Sustainably managed forests in NY and PA.
Heart Pine: Salvaged from demolished buildings.
Water Tower Redwood: Reclaimed from NYC’s water towers, featuring unique weathered textures.
Walnut: Sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Ebonized Oak: American Red Oak with a rich, blackened finish.
At LESCO, we believe in supporting brands that are making a real environmental impact, and Stickbulb is a stellar example.
By transforming salvaged materials into high-quality, beautifully crafted lighting, Stickbulb is proving that sustainability and design can go hand in hand. Their innovative approach not only reduces waste but also inspires a new standard in the lighting industry.