Samsung Electronics has committed to achieving zero waste to landfill within four years along with reducing e-waste globally by optimising the product lifecycle and improving the product design processes of its new handsets.
The pledge was made in tandem with the launch of a new range of folding and flip-style smartphone handsets on August 11 that it hopes will give it an edge compared to archrival Apple.
Galaxy for the Planet – the sustainability platform for its Mobile Communications Business – will embrace scale, innovation and “a spirit of open collaboration” to make tangible climate actions across its business, the company said, using initiatives such as Galaxy Upcycling, Certified Re-Newed, and Trade-In programs.
“We believe that everyone has a role to play in providing innovative solutions that protect the planet for generations to come,” said TM Roh, president and head of the mobile communications business at Samsung Electronics.
“Samsung understands our efforts need to match our scale, our influence and the magnitude of the entire Galaxy ecosystem around the world,” he said. “Galaxy for the Planet is an important step in our journey toward creating a more sustainable world, and we will do so with the openness, transparency and collaboration that drives everything we do.”
In other sustainability commitments, the company said it would incorporate recycled material in all-new mobile products by 2025 in order to “foster a more circular economy,” and will invest in developing new eco-conscious materials for its products.
All plastics will be eliminated from its mobile phone packaging by 2025 and the standby power consumption of its handsets will be reduced to save energy.
“Samsung is committed to creating solutions that enable a better future for our people and our planet,” said Stephanie Choi, SVP & head of marketing of the mobile communications business at Samsung Electronics.
“However, we know we cannot do this alone, and the collective fight for the planet is not a competition. We strive for collaboration in everything we do, and our strategic partnerships across sectors, industries and markets enable us to scale positive impact around the world – helping us achieve a more sustainable future.”
