The smartphones’ boxes and interior packaging have been redesigned so as to reduce their environmental footprint and consume fewer resources. For example, whereas previous devices’ packaging included a box-covering sleeve, a holder tray and a bottom box, the Galaxy S10 retains just the bottom box. The smartphones’ packaging also includes an all-in-one pulp mold¹ that optimizes space for the devices and their components, and minimizes waste.

Other eco-friendly adjustments include replacing plastic ties with paper materials, and outfitting the smartphones’ chargers with a matte – rather than glossy – finish that doesn’t require a plastic protective film.

Samsung Electronics has been steadily increasing its use of eco-friendly materials in its mobile devices’ packaging for several years now. In 2013, Samsung introduced its first 100% recycled packaging, made entirely from discarded paper; In 2014, it introduced its first 100% recycled paper foldable box; In 2015, the company took steps to simplify the designs of its mobile devices’ packaging; In 2016, Samsung began to utilize natural materials in its plastic packaging; In 2017 and 2018, it introduced pulp mold device holder trays and pulp mold packaging, respectively; And this year, with the Galaxy S10 line, the company introduced its first plastic-free packaging design.

“From the Galaxy S10 line’s design stage, we were deeply committed to developing eco-friendly packaging materials,” said Ilseob Baek, Vice President of Reliability Group, Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to support international efforts to make our planet more sustainable by utilizing eco-friendly materials in more products.”

Check out the infographic below to learn more about the Galaxy S10’s eco-friendly packaging and features.

¹ A packaging material composed of mainly recycled materials such as discarded newspaper, corrugated paper, and others. Pulp mold is thin but solid and resilient, and completely recyclable.

In order to help mitigate this growing crisis, Samsung Electronics is following in the footsteps of governments and organizations the world over and implementing sustainable packaging practices for its products in order to reduce plastic consumption and waste.

Going Green in 2019

Earlier this week, Samsung Electronics announced that 2019 will see it begin to switch to more environmentally-friendly packaging formats across its portfolio.

This is not the first move into sustainable packaging the company has made; Samsung has been introducing environmentally-friendly packaging to its notebook computer line since 2018. Going forward, Samsung looks to expand this ‘eco-conscious packaging’ initiative into its wider product line including its mobile devices, wearables, TVs, refrigerators and other home appliance products.

Reliably Sourced, Sustainably Made

In a nutshell, traditionally understood ‘plastic’ packaging is to be replaced for 2019 by molded pulp (a fusion material that uses no wood fibers and incorporates waste by-products such as sugarcane residue) trays, recycled paper containers and bags made of recycled plastic and bio-based, fossil fuel-free materials like starch.

Additionally, in order to further support full-cycle sustainability, Samsung has committed to only use Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)-certified paper materials in its packaging and manuals by 2020.

The Bigger Picture

This commitment to sustainable practices in product packaging is part of a wider series of mid-term initiatives put in place by Samsung to transform the way the company manages its resources. What does all this mean? Check out the graphics below:

From the first half of 2019, the packaging used currently for Samsung’s products and accessories – ranging from mobile phones and tablets to home appliances – will be substituted with environmentally sustainable materials like recycled/bio-based plastics and paper.

To revamp product packaging, Samsung Electronics has formed a task force involving design and development, purchasing, marketing and quality control for innovative packaging ideas.

For mobile phone, tablet and wearable products, Samsung will replace the plastic used for holder trays with pulp molds, and bags wrapping accessories with eco-friendly materials. Samsung will also alter the phone charger design, swapping the glossy exterior with a matte finish and eliminating plastic protection films, reducing the use of plastics.

The plastic bags used to protect the surface of home appliances such as TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines as well as other kitchen appliances will also be replaced with bags containing recycled materials and bioplastics, which are respectively made from plastic wastes and non-fossil fuel materials like starch or sugar cane.

Regarding paper, Samsung will only use fiber materials certified by global environmental organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Scheme and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative for packaging and manuals by 2020.

“Samsung Electronics is stepping up in addressing society’s environmental issues such as resource depletion and plastic wastes,” said Gyeong-bin Jeon, head of Samsung’s Global Customer Satisfaction Center. “We are committed to recycling resources and minimizing pollution coming from our products. We will adopt more environmentally sustainable materials even if it means an increase in cost.”

Under the company’s circular economy policy, Samsung Electronics has set a mid-term implementation plan to only use paper packaging materials certified by forestry initiatives by next year. By 2030, Samsung aims to use 500 thousand tons of recycled plastics and collect 7.5 million tons of discarded products (both cumulative from 2009).