From recycled components in the composition of its products to programs aimed at collecting electronic waste and reusing packaging, the brand reinforces its commitment to the environment
On this March 18th, when Global Recycling Day is celebrated, an initiative of the Global Recycling Foundation that encourages us to look at waste from a new perspective, Samsung reaffirms its global commitment to combating climate change. With this in mind, the company uses its innovative technologies to implement sustainability throughout the production process, product lifecycle and beyond.
This has translated into several programs and initiatives that take place throughout Latin America, aimed at reusing recycled materials, reducing plastic in the development of its devices and packaging, and reusing boxes. Samsung’s latest launch, the Galaxy S23 5G series, is a great example of sustainability, by bringing together these and other practices in a single device, bringing together the highest number of recycled components in its composition and zero plastic in its packaging.
Another great example of an initiative that has been spreading across the Latin American region are the programs trade-inwhich encourage the conscious exchange of smartphones and other electronic devices, such as televisions and refrigerators.
Below, recall Samsung’s main actions, which involve all its business areas.
Galaxy for the Planet
The Galaxy For The Planet initiative is a set of goals aimed at reducing the mobile division’s environmental footprint by 2025 – including using recycled materials in the manufacture of its products, eliminating single-use plastic packaging and diverting all waste landfills within the stipulated period.
In this vein, the Galaxy S23 5G series marks another step in Samsung’s sustainability journey. The Galaxy S23 series uses recycled materials in more device components than any other Samsung Galaxy smartphone to date. Smartphones are produced with recycled components and made from fishing nets that would be discarded in the ocean, posing major threats to marine life. It proves that you don’t have to choose between quality and sustainability. The Galaxy S23 series is UL ECOLOGO® certified1which means the product has been certified for reduced environmental impact while still bringing the best of Samsung Galaxy innovation.
Thus, aiming at a lower environmental impact, the presence of recycled materials increased, going from six internal components made of ecologically correct materials in the Galaxy S22 Ultra to 12 internal and external components incorporating recycled materials in the Galaxy S23 Ultra, among them, glass and metals. Additionally, the Galaxy S23 line’s packaging has been redesigned with 100% recycled paper and the devices are built using technologies for durability and repairability, making them reliable for longer.
Electronic waste recycling
The device is beyond repair, the smartphone is outdated and there are a lot of accessories occupying a drawer at the back of the closet. In today’s times, this situation is quite common in anyone’s home. But the disposal of electronics is nowhere near as popular as the ease with which they reach consumers. e-waste, or e-waste (as it is called in English), is a problem to be solved with specialized recycling.
With this in mind, Samsung, through the brand’s reverse logistics and recycling program, offers the possibility of proper disposal of unused electronic waste. Small and medium-sized products of any brand, such as headphones, chargers and smartphones, can be disposed of in one of the collection bins at Samsung stores and Service Centers. In total, there are 350 collection points spread across the country. Large products are also collected by the company, offering consumers the opportunity to contribute to reducing the environmental impact by disposing of electronic waste properly and safely.
To encourage the correct and sustainable disposal of old appliances and electronics, the brand has the program Samsung EcoTroca, which gives consumers the possibility to exchange their equipment – of any brand and in any condition – for a discount coupon on products purchased at Samsung’s official store. To participate, just access to schedule the collection of the old product and check the possibility of obtaining the discount voucher at the official Samsung store. In fridges and washing machines it is possible to get a discount of up to R$3,000. For air conditioners up to R$500, for TVs the discount is 10%2.
In addition to these activities, consumers can also give preference to more sustainable devices. The SolarCell Remote on Samsung TVs, for example, is powered by solar energy, ambient light and even spare radio frequency from Wi-Fi routers, which is designed to reduce battery waste and help close the loop on plastic waste.
Bringing packaging to life
Did you know that your electronic device’s packaging material can contribute to more sustainable use? Reusing is a good way to avoid generating waste. Today it is already possible to use your creativity and reuse the packaging of your TV to assemble a little house for your pet or a magazine rack, for example. This is the proposal of Samsung Eco-Package.
Purely illustrative image
Instead of simply discarding the box following opening the product, the consumer can access the special website created by Samsung through the QR Code that comes in the package and discover all the creative ways of reuse. The proposal is simple: using templates and instructions, you choose what you want to transform your packaging into. Just follow the step by step and that’s it, the box that would be discarded now becomes an object with a new use.
What’s to come
This is just the beginning. Samsung is committed to moving forward in terms of its commitment to the environment. Thus, Samsung’s new environmental strategy includes comprehensive efforts to join the global force to fight climate change, with a commitment to achieve zero net carbon emissions across the company by 2050 and to use 100% renewable energy by 2027, as well as investing and researching new technologies to develop energy efficient products, increase water reuse and develop carbon capture technology.
And to address the importance of correct e-waste disposal worldwide, by 2030, Samsung Electronics plans to expand the scope of its e-waste collection system from approximately 50 countries to approximately 180 countries. With this, it plans to collect 10 million tons of electronic waste between 2009 and 2030, and an accumulated 25 million tons by 2050.
