REGA ANNOUNCE NEW ECO-FRIENDLY INITIATIVE, REGA GREEN GRADE

As a manufacturer, Rega tells us that they are always looking at ways to reduce waste and avoid parts going to landfill. To this end, they are now making Rega Green Grade products.

Rega says that the only compromise with Rega Green Grade is appearance and never performance.

REWORK & RECYCLE

Rega continues: “We are proud of the fact that we have employed a team of people (for many years) dedicated purely to reworking or recycling damaged parts. Unfortunately, there are always some parts that may have cosmetic issues deemed not acceptable ‘in our industry’ for use in an ‘A’ grade product. In some cases, it is not always economical to rework them, and such items are sadly destined for landfill. This is always the very last resort but as a responsible company we feel that we can no longer accept this as a viable option”.

WONKY FRUIT OF THE HIFI WORLD

Attitudes to waste are changing, for many years, imperfect fruit and vegetables were discarded and deemed not fit for sale simply due to appearance. However, the popularity of such goods rebranded in the UK as “wonky fruit” has seen a vast increase in sales over recent years as consumers become more educated and aware of how important avoiding unnecessary waste is. Rega now works with 650 suppliers, (85% of which are based in the UK) and all have a responsibility to supply them quality parts. However, either due to poor packing, mishandling or transport some items may become damaged. These parts would often be classed as unrecoverable by Rega’s rework team.

The Rega Green Grade logo

REGA GREEN GRADE

This is where Rega Green Grade comes in. Instead of not using parts with cosmetic faults they have decided to use such parts to build Green Grade Rega products. These products will function and perform perfectly and come with Rega’s Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects. Rega says: “we hope these small steps will change people’s attitudes and deliver us all a better and less wasteful future”.

Rega Green Grade Planar 1 Eco Deck

REGA GREEN GRADE PLANAR 1 ECO DECK

The first initiative will be the Rega Planar 1 ECO DECK here is how Rega says it will work.

Rega has a selection of Planar 1 and Planar 1 Plus plinths that are marked, scratched, or obsolete (gloss P1 and P1 Plus for example).

They have a selection of marked or scratched P2 and P3 high gloss acrylic plinths that will also be built as Planar 1. (They say they will fit the appropriate brass bearing at no extra cost for those using P3 plinths).

Other green Grade components will be used as and when available such as platters and tonearms with cosmetic faults.

All will be fitted with ‘A’ grade Carbon cartridges.

The Plinths for the ECO DECKS will NOT be silk screened with a P1 logo so they can be easily identified as Green Grade.

Each ECO deck will be fitted with a Rega ECO lid badge.

Each ECO Deck outer carton will have a sticker with the Rega Green Grade logo for easy identification.

Every deck will be thoroughly tested and will have to pass all of the stringent tests that an ‘A’ grade Planar 1 would need to pass.

Rega says that performance is not affected in any way.

Lifetime Warranty is included against functional defects, but this will not cover cosmetics.

REGA GREEN GRADE PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The UK SSP for a Green Grade Planar 1 will be £199.00 (normal price £299).

The UK SSP for the Green Grade Planar 1 PLUS will be just 229.00 (normal price £385).

These are available to order globally now and Rega will be building and shipping the first units next month.

HiFi PiG Says: An excellent new initiative from Rega and good to see the price benefit passed on to the end user.