Samsung has taken an environmentally conscious approach into all its operations, based on its strong conviction that the future hinges on the wellbeing of the planet.
It is for this reason that it is now bringing consumers four new ways to live sustainably by focusing on Recycled Materials, Eco-Packaging, Energy Efficiency and Recycling or Upcycling1. Samsung’s ultimate goal is to encourage consumers to join its sustainability efforts and its journey towards building a better tomorrow through its innovations. These social innovations are there to encourage everyone’s participation for small but impactful changes together with Samsung.
To drastically strengthen its eco-conscious efforts, Samsung is using its environmental vision — its Planet-First philosophy, a goal towards “Everyday Sustainability” aimed at creating open and inclusive innovations that empower everyone to build a better tomorrow, together. For Samsung, sustainability is a core value and key driver of its operations; the company is striving to embed it in every product and service that it offers. Samsung remains committed to activities that minimise its environmental impact, these include the use of recycled materials in all stages of its product lifecycle — from mobile devices to home appliances manufacturing processes by 2025.
Samsung’s eco-conscious efforts in its product lifecycle and manufacturing processes include parts of Galaxy smartphones or some components that are now made of recycled materials from discarded fishing nets, eco-packaging that transforms box packaging into everyday living items as well as home appliances that help consumers use energy more efficiently via SmartThings Energy. Simply by using them, customers can make small actions for a better planet in their daily life.
The sourcing process, for instance, includes recycled materials in an effort to expand the use of eco-conscious materials. The application of recycled plastic has now been expanded across a range of Samsung product categories including refrigerators, washers, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, TVs, monitors, smartphones and PCs. Samsung is now striving to minimise the negative impacts of hazardous substances that may enter its products, as well as chemicals used in the front-lines of manufacturing on the health of its customers and employees.
Distribution, which includes eco-packaging and logistical optimisation, now involves constant application of eco-conscious materials to packaging. The company is replacing plastic and vinyl materials with paper and recycled materials to reduce the environmental impact on product packaging. Also, the volume and weight of packaging is reduced to mitigate Greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in the transportation and shipping process.
The energy efficiency, durability and repair and re-use efforts in product usage are helping to reduce indirect GHG emissions through products in high energy, and this is also improving product performance. On recycling and upcycling as well as collection, Samsung is ensuring that recyclables are separated by material for recycling. Through its latest Galaxy S23 Series, Samsung is now able to deliver a high-performance device that meets the highest of quality standards, while also using more recycled materials than any other Galaxy smartphone to date.
Samsung has increased the amount of recycled materials from six internal components in the Galaxy S22 Ultra to 12 internal and external components in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. In fact, the Galaxy S23 Series now uses more recycled plastics and newly incorporated pre-consumer recycled aluminium and glass.
As part of its commitment, Samsung is continuing to make a concerted effort to not only achieve enterprise-wide net zero carbon emissions, but to also use more renewable energy, invest in and research new technologies to develop energy-efficient products as well as increase water re-use and develop carbon capture technology. All of these efforts are geared towards entrenching Samsung’s “Everyday Sustainability” vision into every aspect of its organisation.
Samsung proudly supports Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030.
About Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at https://news.samsung.com/za/
Disclaimer:
1 Samsung’s five key categories include: Sourcing, Production, Distribution, Using, and Recycling – the pillars included above form part of these key categories.