What if an old pair of jeans could stay out of a landfill—and help a woman earn a livelihood?

That is the idea driving 21-year-old Maharashtra innovator Yogeeta Kishore, who has spent the past year-and-a-half working to turn denim waste into opportunity.

Her initiative, Indiejeanous, transforms discarded denim and textile scraps into lifestyle products while creating livelihood opportunities for women artisans. Now selected among the Top 20 teams of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026, Yogeeta is working to develop a prototype and explore how her community-led idea can grow into a scalable venture.

For Yogeeta, the selection has marked a turning point.

“I am grateful to be a part of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. Getting reviews and feedback has been amazing, and it feels like a great platform for young changemakers,” she said.

From Upcycling Waste to Building a Viable Solution

Before joining the programme’s bootcamp, Yogeeta’s approach was largely focused on giving discarded textiles a second life. Interactions with mentors, experts and fellow innovators encouraged her to examine the entire journey of textile waste—and think more closely about the people who would ultimately use or benefit from her solution.

“There is a huge difference in my idea. Earlier, we were only focused on upcycling, but now we are looking more deeply at how that waste can be utilised. We have also started prototyping,” Yogeeta said.

The experience helped her recognise that a meaningful idea must work not only environmentally, but also for its customers and the community it seeks to support.

“You have to understand the customer and make sure the solution genuinely addresses the community’s needs,” she added.

Presenting Indiejeanous before a jury and discussing it with young innovators from across India also expanded Yogeeta’s sense of what the initiative could become.

“When I presented my idea and shared it with my peers, I realised that I was not just solving a problem within my own community,” she said.

Finding the Confidence to Think Bigger

The most important change, however, has been personal.

Yogeeta says that building an idea largely by herself often left her questioning whether it could create real impact. At Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, she found a community of young people navigating similar challenges.

“When I talk to my peers, I feel that I am doing something real. I feel inspired and confident. Earlier, I was not so confident,” she said.

That sense of belonging has been particularly meaningful for Yogeeta, who says she did not always find the support she needed during the early stages of her journey.

“Having people around me who understand my idea feels empowering,” she said.

With access to mentorship, constructive feedback and potential grant support, Yogeeta is now refining the Indiejeanous model, developing its prototype and examining how it can generate measurable environmental and social impact.

What began with discarded denim in one community is steadily becoming something larger: a circular-economy idea capable of reducing textile waste, supporting women artisans and demonstrating how young innovators can turn overlooked problems into new possibilities.

At 21, Yogeeta may still be at the beginning of that journey. But she no longer feels that she has to build alone.

Their AI-based platform explores how sugarcane bagasse can be transformed into protein-rich mycoprotein using bioreactors—bringing together innovation, sustainability and nutrition.

For Gulshan Kumar and Nitish Kumar, making it to the Top 20 has been a journey of learning and discovery. With mentorship and prototyping support, the team has strengthened its idea and explored how a local agricultural challenge can be translated into a practical innovation.

Watch Kinva Bio share what being among the Top 20 means to them—and what they hope to build next.

Samsung India is driving awareness and action around responsible e-waste disposal through employee engagement, consumer outreach and sustainability partnerships.

As electronic devices have become an integral part of everyday life, much of this electronic waste remains stored in homes or is disposed of improperly, making it an often-overlooked environmental concern.

This World Environment Day, Samsung India is encouraging consumers and employees to take action through a nationwide awareness campaign focused on responsible e-waste disposal and recycling.

As part of the initiative, Samsung has partnered with authorized recyclers to organize e-waste collection drives across its head office and branch offices in eight major cities. Employees and consumers are being encouraged to responsibly dispose of unused electronic items and contribute to a more sustainable future. Participants will also receive a plant sapling as a symbol of environmental stewardship.

What is e-waste?

E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to discarded electrical and electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, chargers, batteries, cables, and other electronic accessories that are no longer in use, broken, or have reached the end of their life.

Awareness Campaign

To further build awareness, Samsung is organizing drawing and quiz contests for employees around the theme of environmental sustainability and responsible recycling.

Samsung is also reaching consumers through a digital awareness campaign that highlights the importance of proper e-waste disposal. The campaign showcases Samsung’s Care for Clean India initiative, which offers free doorstep pickup of bulky end-of-life appliances, making responsible recycling easier and more convenient.

In addition, Samsung has partnered with sustainability advocates and digital creators to amplify awareness around e-waste management and encourage environmentally responsible practices.

This World Environment Day, Samsung India invites everyone to make the invisible visible by responsibly recycling old electronics and helping build a cleaner, greener future.

What happens to my personal data if I hand over my device?

Before handing over your device for e-waste recycling, we recommend backing up and deleting all personal data. Samsung does not access, store, or recover personal data from devices collected for recycling. Users are responsible for ensuring that all personal information is removed from their devices before disposal.

Supporting Marine Ecosystems Through Global Collaboration

Introduced at Galaxy Unpacked in January 2025, Coral in Focus is an initiative launched last year that supports local communities, including Fiji, Indonesia and the United States, to restore coastal ecosystems.

Samsung has partnered with Seatrees, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring marine ecosystems, to explore new, innovative solutions for coral reef restoration. The company has introduced Ocean Mode¹on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, an exclusive camera feature that enables vivid image capture even underwater. These images provide accurate visual data for marine researchers who create 3D photogrammetry models to continuously monitor and analyze coral reefs. Local partner organizations then use these findings to guide their on-site coral restoration efforts.

Ocean Mode: How Galaxy Camera Innovation Is Helping Restore Coral Reefs

Partners and local field teams use Ocean Mode to reduce the excessive blue tones common in underwater photography, allowing for a more accurate representation of coral colors. The feature also helps minimize motion blur through optimized shutter speed and multi-frame image processing. Additionally, the interval shooting function enables thousands of high-resolution coral images to be captured in a single session — improving both efficiency and image clarity.

With these coral restoration initiatives, photos taken with Ocean Mode have been used to produce 17 3D models of coral reefs to analyze the health and growth of reefs. In total, 11,046 coral fragments were planted to restore 10,705 square meters of coral reef habitat — roughly the size of 25 basketball courts.

Since unveiling its “Galaxy for the Planet” environmental vision in 2021, Samsung has continued its efforts toward a more sustainable future — not only by incorporating ocean-bound plastics from discarded fishing nets into its products but also by expanding into marine ecosystem restoration. These actions reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental impact across the entire product life cycle and beyond.

¹ Ocean Mode was exclusively developed for this project and is only available to participating partners.

▲ Blanco, an Urban Venue

The forum was organized into four sessions — Sustainability, Health AI, Galaxy AI and Home AI — each addressing the transformative changes and challenges innovation will bring to these areas. With around 100 media representatives and industry professionals in attendance, the panels centered on the disruptive potential of AI and offered blueprints for future technologies across various sectors.

Samsung Newsroom visited the first Galaxy Tech Forum session, titled “How Mobile Technology Can Accelerate a Sustainable Future,” to learn about Samsung’s mobile innovations and partnerships that are contributing to a brighter tomorrow.

Driving Mobile Innovation and Sustainability

Samsung is committed to accelerating a sustainable future for both people and the planet.

▲ (From left to right) Tamara Gondo, Michael Stewart, Dr. Stuart Sandin, Daniel Araujo and Cassie Smith

Despite the numerous benefits offered to modern society, the rapid growth of the mobile industry has also brought significant environmental challenges. To address those challenges, Samsung has made the actualization of a sustainable future a cornerstone of the company’s vision for mobile devices.

▲ Daniel Araujo from Samsung Electronics

“We’ve made significant progress in fostering sustainable practices throughout our product lifecycle and this is only possible through open collaboration with like-minded partners. And there is even more to come,” said Daniel Araujo, Head of Sustainability Management Office, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics.

“Each device of the S25 series will include at least 50% recycled cobalt, and for the first time in Galaxy history, the battery of the S25 model will be made with recycled cobalt sourced from previously used Galaxy smartphones,” he continued, highlighting Samsung’s advancements in product circularity.

Leveraging Galaxy Camera Technology To Restore Vital Marine Ecosystems

Since the launch of the Galaxy S22 series in 2022, Samsung has incorporated over 150 tonnes of discarded fishing nets — equivalent to the weight of 15 million plastic water bottles — into Galaxy products. Along the way, the company has recognized the critical threat ocean-bound plastic poses to coral reefs and has taken a leading role in restoration efforts through strategic partnerships.

Dr. Stuart Sandin, a professor at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego said coral reefs are home to a quarter of all marine life, and over half a billion people depend on reefs for food, income and protection from storms and erosion. He added that with more than 50% of the world’s coral reefs already lost and ocean-bound plastic threatening the remaining marine ecosystems, new restoration methods using mobile technology are gaining traction.

▲ Dr. Stuart Sandin from the University of California San Diego, Scripps Institute of Oceanography

“We partnered with Samsung because of our shared commitment to innovation and collaboration. Our optimistic and technology-forward approach is contributing to new solutions for coral reef restoration,” said Michael Stewart, co-founder of Seatrees — a nonprofit dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems. His announcement of the organization’s partnership with Samsung was followed by a trailer for an upcoming documentary about the collaborative efforts between the companies.

▲ Michael Stewart from Seatrees

Araujo explained that to support Seatrees’ efforts, Samsung developed Ocean Mode¹— a new camera setting that optimizes underwater photography on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. He discussed how the feature will provide valuable visual data that can be used to 3D map coral reefs to aid efforts for their restoration. The panelists acknowledged that mobile technology is making environmental conservation more accessible since high-quality data can now be collected with lightweight, user-friendly smartphones.

Empowering Young Leaders Through Technology

“Beyond environmental efforts, Samsung has collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to empower future generations in achieving the Global Goals,” explained moderator Cassie Smith, Senior Manager of Corporate Sustainability and U.S. Public Affairs at Samsung Electronics America. The success of Samsung’s five-year partnership with the UNDP led to the launch of the Samsung Global Goals app and Generation17 initiative.

▲ Cassie Smith from Samsung Electronics America

“Being part of Generation17 gave me confidence, access to resources and a global platform, which opened up a world of possibilities that inspired me to grow my business, Liberty Society, and its impact,” said Tamara Gondo, CEO of Liberty Society — a social enterprise that funds upskilling for marginalized women. “Participating in global events such as Mobile World Congress and the United Nations General Assembly gave me a seat at the decision-making table.”

▲ Tamara Gondo, CEO of Liberty Society and a Generation17 Young Leader

Araujo underscored Tamara’s remarks and stressed the importance of young leaders in achieving the Global Goals, encouraging ongoing efforts and inviting attendees to look forward to the new group of Young Leaders later this year.

The Sustainability session provided an in-depth exploration of how mobile technology can address environmental and social challenges. Samsung’s unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability is paving the way for meaningful change on a global scale.

¹Exclusively developed for this project and only available to Seatrees and its partners.

The process starts by collecting previously used Galaxy smartphones, such as those from trade-in programs. The batteries are carefully dismantled, discharged and shredded to safely recover cobalt. Then, the shredded fragments are processed into “black mass,” a powder mixture containing cobalt and other metals. The black mass undergoes further processing to extract cobalt, which is then used to produce cathode material — an essential component of smartphone batteries. The remaining cobalt goes through the final stage of the battery manufacturing process, becoming an integral part of the new Galaxy S25 batteries, with each Galaxy S25 battery featuring 50% recycled cobalt.²

Samsung will continue to expand the use of our new recycled cobalt batteries into our ecosystem to accelerate circularity.

Check out the video below to learn more about how Samsung’s innovative Circular Battery Supply Chain is paving the way for a more sustainable future.

¹Inclusion may differ by markets.
²A minimum of 25% of the Galaxy S25 battery is cobalt by weight, 50% of which is recycled cobalt.

Samsung India has announced a significant milestone in its sustainability journey with the successful installation of eight natural gas generators, marking a strategic shift from diesel-based backup power solutions. This transition aligns with Samsung’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Samsung undertook this ambitious initiative to replace ten diesel generators with eight natural gas-based alternatives, a decision driven by a dual focus on operational continuity and environmental sustainability.

Samsung is proud to lead the way in adopting sustainable energy solutions that ensure operational resilience and contribute to a cleaner, greener future. Our successful transition to natural gas generators underscores Samsung’s commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation.

This initiative entailed the establishment of a PNG gas-based genset with a capacity of 20 MW to serve the needs of the Noida plant, as well as to provide support to the Samsung Display at Noida plant during emergency situations.

This strategic initiative delivers several benefits

• Long-Term Cost Savings: By shifting away from diesel, Samsung anticipates significant cost savings over the long run, offering greater financial predictability and certainty in energy planning

• Capital Liquidity: Unlike diesel gensets that require substantial funds to maintain a storage of approximately 5 lakh liters of diesel, the PNG gas-based solution eliminates the need for such investments, freeing up capital that was previously tied up in fuel storage

• Enhanced Safety: The transition away from diesel storage eliminates the potential hazards associated with storing large quantities of fuel in underground tankers, thereby reducing the need for additional safety measures and mitigating safety risks within the factory premises

• Environmental Benefits: The adoption of natural gas generators represents a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting cleaner energy usage, reinforcing Samsung’s commitment to sustainability

Samsung remains dedicated to exploring innovative approaches to sustainability, driving positive change, and setting new benchmarks for corporate responsibility in India and beyond.

From September 1 to 5, visitors to Samsung’s booth can discover brand-new connected experiences powered by SmartThings and explore how the company combines innovation with eco-conscious initiatives to build a brighter future for all.

Samsung Newsroom invites those who can’t attend in person to take a virtual tour of the company’s booth through the photos below.

▲ Using the 787-inch The Wall as a media facade, Samsung unveiled innovative products and sustainable smart home solutions.

1. Sustainability Today for a Brighter Tomorrow

At the Sustainability Zone, visitors can discover Net Zero Home, an eco-conscious future residence, and learn about Samsung’s environmental efforts and technologies for future generations — including company-developed recyclable materials such as “r-ABS” and the environmental impact of energy usage at home through Carbon Intensity Insight.

In September 2022, Samsung announced its new environmental strategy and committed to achieving company-wide carbon neutrality by 2050 and joining efforts to tackle climate change. To that end, the company has reduced carbon emissions by more than 900,000 tons and increased the use of renewable plastics by threefold compared to 2021.

▲ Following the announcement of Samsung’s new environmental strategy, the Circular Economy Lab was established to foster a resource circulation ecosystem and develop recyclable materials, such as “r-ABS.” Samsung introduces a roadmap for its plans to use recycled materials in its products.

▲ Visitors immerse themselves in Samsung’s sustainability initiatives, such as the use of discarded fishing nets and eco-conscious packaging.

2. Streamline Your Daily Routine With SmartThings

Samsung showcases SmartThings, the company’s expansive and fully integrated home ecosystem. In particular, this section of the booth highlights how third-party devices with Matter or HCA support can be seamlessly connected to the advanced multi-device connectivity platform.

▲ SmartThings continues to expand service and usability for third-party devices that support the Matter protocol and HCA standards. Samsung has recently collaborated with 26 European companies to deliver better connected experiences to users.

3. Enriching Your Daily Life With Bespoke Home

At the Bespoke Life booth, Samsung showcases sustainable and intelligent home appliances with unique personalization options. What’s more, visitors can get hands-on experience with Samsung’s latest home appliances such as the BESPOKE AI Washer & Dryer, Bespoke Jet AI and Bespoke Oven.

▲ Visitors learn about Samsung Food at Samsung’s booth.

▲ Booth visitors experience Samsung’s latest All-in-One Washer & Dryer.

▲ Visitors test Bespoke Jet AI, the world’s first UL-verified AI cordless stick vacuum cleaner.

4. Vivid and Bright Experiences on Display

Samsung’s booth features theOdyssey Neo G9gaming monitor and98-inch ultra-large TVlineup — highlighting cutting-edge MICRO LED technology that offers lifelike picture quality. In addition, Samsung Gaming Hub opens the door to cloud gaming while the Freestyle 2^ndGen portable projector demonstrates new ways to entertain with a 21:9 screen ratio for a full cinematic experience.

▲ (From left) The 98″ Big Screen Zone showcases three 98-inch TV models that deliver high-quality resolution through ultra-large screens. Visitors try out Samsung’s latest gaming monitor, the Odyssey Neo G9.

▲ Visitors explore The Frame-Disney100 Edition which includes 100 pieces of Disney artwork.

▲ (From left) The Freestyle 2nd Gen portable projector supports Smart Edge Blending where two devices can be paired to offer users a 160” panoramic viewing experience and now also enables access to Samsung Gaming Hub.

5. Unfold the Latest Mobile Innovations With the Galaxy Z Series

Visitors at Samsung’s booth can experience the flip side with the latest mobile device lineup unveiled atGalaxy Unpackedthis past July — theGalaxy Z Flip5, Z Fold5,Watch6 seriesandTab S9 series.

▲ The recently released Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 on display

Beyond leading technological innovation, Samsung aims to connect people with each other and the world around them through its products. The company looks forward to the future — eager to reduce its environmental impact,  enhance the lives of consumers and discover new possibilities for a better world.

A Wider Variety of Recycled Materials in More Components

Earlier this year, Samsung expanded its innovative use of recycled materials in product design with the Galaxy S23 series, introducing new materials to more components. The Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 advance these efforts, featuring a wider variety of recycled materials¹in more internal and external components than previous Galaxy Z series smartphones. The newest foldable smartphones incorporate pre-consumer recycled aluminum and post-consumer recycled plastic sourced from discarded fishing nets, water barrels and PET bottles. They also scale the use of Corning^®Gorilla^®Glass Victus^®2, which contains an average of 22% pre-consumer recycled glass content.

Not only did Samsung add more types of recycled materials used in each device, but the company also more than doubled the amount of device components that use a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled plastic or pre-consumer recycled glass, or an average of 22% pre-consumer recycled glass. Both the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5²use recycled materials in 15 device components, an increase from six internal components in the Galaxy Z Flip4 and Z Fold4.

When it comes to packaging, Samsung continue to advance its efforts to reduce the presence of single-use plastic. That’s why the paper for the packaging box³is made using 100% recycled material.⁴The company also switched to recycled paper material for the front and back cover protector.

A Device Lifecycle That Lasts Longer

The Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 continue Samsung’s work to optimize the longevity and improve the upgradability of its smartphones. Each device comes with five years of security updates and four generations of OS upgrades, helping to extend the product lifecycle.

As a result, the Galaxy community can reliably enjoy their devices for a longer period of time, enabling them to make eco-conscious choices in their daily lives.

Check out the infographic below to see how small actions can add up to a big, positive impact on the planet through the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5.

¹ Types of recycled materials include post-consumer recycled PA sourced from discarded fishing nets, post-consumer recycled PBT sourced from discarded PET bottles, post-consumer recycled PC sourced from water barrels and pre-consumer recycled aluminum sourced from discarded scrap material generated as a by-product during manufacturing. The scrap metal is re-melted, filtered for impurities and then recycled to make parts within Samsung’s manufacturing process. There is also pre-consumer recycled glass sourced from discarded glass waste generated as a byproduct of glass manufacturing. This glass waste is crushed into cullet and then used as a component in the Corning^® Gorilla^® Glass Victus^® 2 manufacturing process.
² Galaxy Z Flip5: 15 device components that feature a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled material plastic or pre-consumer recycled aluminum, or an average of 22% pre-consumer recycled glass. These components include Volume Key Bracket, Speaker Module (Upper & Lower), Rear Top, Display Connector Cap, FPCB RF Cable Bracket, Rear Mid, Case Front (Main), Case Front (Sub), Volume Key, Finger Key Bracket, Receiver Deco, Connector to Connector Holder, SIM Tray, Sub Window and Back Glass. (Galaxy Z Flip4: six device components). The above measurements are based on weight.
Galaxy Z Fold5: 15 device components that feature a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled material plastic or pre-consumer recycled aluminum, or an average of 22% pre-consumer recycled glass. These components include Volume Key FPCB Bracket, Top Speaker Module (Upper & Lower), Bottom Speaker Module (Upper & Lower), Cover Display Connector, Case Front (Main), Case Front (Sub), Antenna (Sub), Antenna (Main), Volume Key, Finger Key Bracket, SIM Tray, Connector to Connector Holder, Camera Deco (Top & Bottom), Sub Window and Back Glass. (Galaxy Z Fold4: six device components). The above measurements are based on weight.
³ 100% recycled paper is used in the following packaging components: the Product Packaging Unit Box, Cover Protector, Manual Box, Manual Pad and DLC Band.
⁴ The 100% recycled paper material has received Environmental Claim Validation (ECV).