Samsung to Offset the Lifetime Carbon Footprint of All Washing Machine and Tumble Dryer Purchases

• As part of its wider company efforts to promote sustainable product lifecycles, Samsung is investing in a range of carbon offsetting initiatives, covering the lifetime usage of all newly purchased washing machines and tumble dryers
• The associated programmes include solar energy projects, wind power schemes, forest degradation and deforestation reduction activities, and tree planting initiatives
• Samsung is partnering with Carbon Footprint Ltd to facilitate the campaign

LONDON, UK – 24^th March, 2021 – Samsung Electronics UK Ltd. today announces the launch of its carbon offsetting campaign. With every purchase of any Samsung washing machine or tumble dryer in the UK or Ireland, the company pledges to offset the carbon emissions from customer usage for the full product lifecycle, through supporting a number of sustainable programmes.

In recent years, there has been a significant cultural shift towards purchasing more environmentally conscious products and appliances, with many consumers prioritising goods and services from companies that reflect their personal values and beliefs. With more customers than ever demanding products which are energy efficient but also carbon neutral, this trend is expected to continue over the next decade and has set a new benchmark for the home appliance industry globally.

As a market leader within this sector, sustainability is a major focus for Samsung – from improving energy efficiency and making new, innovative products, to ensuring appliances are easy to recycle at end-of-life. Whilst its products already have strong energy credentials, Samsung understands that a sustainable future requires investments across a broad spectrum, which is why the brand is also launching its carbon offset campaign.

For every washing machine or tumble dryer purchased, Samsung will contribute towards a portfolio of different eco-friendly initiatives including solar and wind energy projects and reducing deforestation to offset the product lifetimes’ carbon emissions. Each of these projects is verified through VERRA’s^[1] Verified Carbon Standard; an internationally respected standard that verifies the carbon savings and demonstrates real, measurable, additional and permanent emissions reductions.

Rachael Ward, Marketing & Product Director, Home Appliances, Samsung Electronics UK Ltd. says: “At Samsung, we are committed to building a better, more sustainable future. From developing technologies that address our customer challenges, to making Samsung products as eco-friendly as possible, we are prioritising the planet, people and society by creating solutions that benefit us all.”

Samsung has partnered with Carbon Footprint Ltd to facilitate the campaign, providing support across a portfolio of schemes, on- and off-shore, to offset product carbon emissions. These include:

Solar energy projects to help de-carbonise the electricity grid, ensuring energy security and contributing to the sustainable growth of the electricity generation sector. This includes the 500 MW solar power project in Andhra Pradesh, India, which generates a clean form of electricity through renewable solar energy sources, saving around one million tCO₂ each year.

Wind power schemes to promote sustainable development by investing in renewable wind energy and turbines. This includes a grouped Wind Power project of 396 wind turbines in Tamilnadu, India, which will result in saving approximately 417,000 tCO₂e each year.

Forest degradation and deforestation initiatives which focus on reducing the amount of deforestation, which is the second leading cause of CO₂ emissions. This will include a collaboration with the REDD project, working with local forest communities in the Portel Para region of Brazil, to stop deforestation in the Amazon rainforest – the largest and most important rainforest on Earth.

Tree planting to help sequester more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, whilst also providing habitats for wildlife. The aim is to plant native broad leaf trees in schools, parks and other biodiversity sites in the UK and Ireland.

For those looking to further reduce their carbon impact following the purchase of a Samsung washing machine or tumble dryer, the SmartThings Laundry Planner feature can help. Using SmartThings^[2], customers can schedule their appliance to run outside of peak hours, with washes timed to finish fresh when needed to avoid laundry sitting in the drum.

Samsung’s carbon offset campaign applies to any Samsung washing machine or tumble dryer, purchased in the UK and Ireland from Samsung.com/uk or an approved retailer, from 24^th March 2021 to 1^st June 2021.

For more information visit https://www.samsung.com/uk/offer/carbon-offset

[1] Verra is a global leader helping to tackle the world’s most intractable environmental and social challenges by developing and managing standards that help the private sector, countries, and civil society achieve ambitious sustainable development and climate action goals.

[2] Available on Wi-fi enabled Samsung Laundry Appliances. SmartThings app available on Android and iOS. An internet connection is required.