Samsung Electronics Received the 2022 SEAL Business Sustainability Award for Repurposing Ocean-Bound Plastic

Samsung earns the Sustainable Product Award for its innovation towards a sustainable future with repurposed ocean-bound plastic incorporated into Samsung Galaxy technology

Samsung Electronics announced that the company was named a winner of the 2022 SEAL Business Sustainability Award for transforming discarded fishing nets into a high-performance, recycled material used in Galaxy devices.

Every year, judged by a panel of sustainability and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) experts, the SEAL Awards recognizes the most impactful sustainability initiatives and top companies that drive environmental progress. Samsung is a recipient of the 2022 SEAL Business Sustainability Award, which honors inspiring companies with purpose-built products that move and change the world in a better way.

“We are honored to receive the 2022 SEAL Sustainable Product Award for our efforts to advance more circular product designs and by doing more with less when it comes to ocean plastic waste,” said Sungsun Park, EVP and Head of Mechanical R&D Team of MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is committed to continuing our sustainability journey and unleashing the company’s scale, innovation and spirit of open collaboration to deliver even more tangible climate actions.”

“A staggering 640,000 tons of fishing equipment are abandoned in the ocean each year, trapping and entangling marine life and damaging coral reefs. We applaud Samsung for transforming the Galaxy smartphone series to combat this environmental challenge,” said Matt Harney, Founder of SEAL Awards.

Discarded fishing nets are one of the most widespread and invasive ocean-bound plastics[1] that pose a serious threat to marine life and our planet. Samsung first incorporated recycled discarded fishing nets with the Galaxy S22 Series and since then, has used the material in designs throughout the Galaxy ecosystem, including in tablets, laptops and earbuds. By collaborating with like-minded organizations, Samsung created a new material from recycled ocean-bound plastic and upheld its high-quality standards.

This innovation is part of Samsung MX’s sustainability vision, Galaxy for the Planet, which outlines the company’s journey to taking tangible climate actions across global business operations and product lifecycles. Through Galaxy for the Planet, Samsung strives to develop and incorporate recycled materials in all new products[2], eliminate single-use plastics in mobile packaging[3], achieve zero standby power consumption[4] for all smartphone chargers[5], and divert all waste from landfill by 2025[6].

For more information on global sustainability efforts from Samsung, please visit samsung.ca.

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[1] Ocean-bound plastic is abandoned plastic waste of all sizes (micro-plastics, mezzo-plastics and macro-plastics) that are located within 50km of shores in communities or areas where waste management is inexistent or very inefficient.

[2] With the goal of using recycled material across all new mobile products by 2025, Samsung will use various recycled materials within its products, taking their strength, aesthetics and durability into consideration.

[3] Samsung is working towards the full elimination of single use plastics from product packaging by 2025 – reducing, removing and replacing unnecessary resources and materials traditionally used in device packaging and incorporating eco-conscious solutions.

[4] Standby power consumption is the power used after a smartphone is fully charged or disconnected, but the charger remains plugged-in.

[5] Based on 15W, 25W and 45W Galaxy smartphone chargers.

[6]  Samsung will also work to reduce e-waste on a global scale by optimizing the product lifecycle, improving product design processes, and engaging in initiatives like Galaxy Upcycling and Trade-In programs.