June 5th is World Environment Day, the day declared by the United Nations in 1972 to raise global awareness and action to protect our environment. Each year it focuses on a different topic. This year’s theme “Ecosystem Restoration” was chosen to emphasize the importance of restoring the environment and protecting ecosystems.
Science and technology have made our lives easier and more convenient, with many innovative products and services that fit into our daily routine. The flip side of this is the development of serious global environmental challenges, such as climate change and resource depletion. Problems that threaten the future of our world.
To help mitigate these issues, Samsung is committed to incorporating environmental sustainability into everything we do.
SVP Hyeongnam Kim, President of the Global Computer Science Center, Samsung Electronics
Reducing environmental impact throughout the life cycle of the product
Our products are carefully designed to reduce their environmental impact. First, in the product development process. We have introduced an eco-design process to evaluate products against eco-conscious standards in many countries, including the United States and Korea. In 2008, Samsung established an environmental division committee and task forces to step up efforts to develop environmentally friendly products.
The focus on sustainability continues into the production phase. The use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and geothermal energy, has expanded in our facilities. Including the use of recycled water and waste. Last year, Samsung produced 100% renewable electricity for all of its facilities in the United States, Europe and China. In addition, Samsung plans to expand the use of renewable energy to the rest of its sites.
To reduce packaging waste, plastics and shrink films have been partially replaced with packaging made from renewable biomaterials. Paper suppliers must also have a Forest Stewardship Certificate. By the end of 2020, all paper used for brochures and packaging for our mobile and consumer electronics products will be completely replaced.
In the final stage of the product life cycle, waste collection and recycling programs are active worldwide, currently in 55 different countries. For example, users in the US can return their discarded mobile devices to one of more than 500 sites from uBreakiFix, an independent repair chain.
Reduce 301 million tons of greenhouse gases غاز
With full product life cycle developments, Samsung has increased the average power consumption per product by 32%[1]reduced. This corresponds to a cumulative reduction of 301 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the past 12 years. In addition, Samsung recycled over 4.54 million tons of e-waste through its global e-waste collection sites from 2009 to 2020.
To encourage customers to use their products for longer, Samsung has created a quick and easy repair process for users. Samsung provides product repair information and parts to contract repair shops and independent repair shops.
Environmentally friendly recycling
Last year, Samsung introduced Eco-Packaging for TVs. With special cardboard boxes that you can turn into pet toys or small pieces of furniture, people’s recycling and creativity are encouraged.
Additionally, Samsung recently launched the Galaxy Upcycling at Home program, which allows users in Korea, the US, and the UK to use their unused Galaxy smartphones as IoT devices. The program also reuses cameras from old smartphones for medical diagnosis. For example, these can help treat cases of visual impairment that can be prevented with a correct diagnosis.
[1] Figure from 2020 compared to the level of energy consumption in 2008.
