In an era where environmental preservation is paramount, Samsung continues to contribute towards a greener future, integrating eco-conscious practices into every facet of its operations and product offerings. The company’s dedication to sustainability is not just a corporate ethos but a responsibility to future generations. Below are some of its notable innovations that contribute towards a healthier environment.

Eco-Packaging: With its various eco-friendly initiatives, Samsung is prioritising sustainable packaging practices. By utilising recyclable materials, reducing packaging waste, and implementing innovative design strategies, the company strives to minimise its environmental footprint throughout the product lifecycle, from production to disposal. A big part of this is upcycling of the boxes that come with the company’s lifestyle TV models such as The Frame and The Serif. The special cardboard boxes are designed to allow consumers to upcycle the packaging their televisions come in into small, versatile pieces of furniture. The thick, corrugated cardboard that the packaging is comprised of can be used to construct small tables and shelves, and building instructions can be accessed by scanning QR codes on the outsides of the boxes.

Energy-Efficiency: Samsung’s line of energy-efficient appliances is designed to minimise energy consumption without compromising performance. From refrigerators and washing machines to air conditioners and televisions, these appliances incorporate cutting-edge technology to conserve energy and water, helping consumers reduce their carbon footprint and utility bills. Moreover, washing machines and dishwashers come with advanced features like sensor-based controls and efficient water circulation systems to reduce water consumption and promote sustainable living practices.

E-Waste Recycling Initiatives: Samsung is committed to responsible e-waste management through our comprehensive recycling programs. The company ensures that end-of-life electronic products are ethically recycled, diverting electronic waste from landfills and recovering valuable resources for reuse in new products, contributing to a circular economy and minimising environmental degradation. Through one of its corporate social investment programmes, the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), Samsung has supported and invested in Matongoni Group, a local company which specialises in the recycling of electronic waste and materials from shopping centres, industrial and agricultural activities and landfill sites.

Eco-Friendly Materials: The pursuit of sustainable manufacturing practices has seen Samsung using eco-friendly materials in product design and production processes. The environmental footprint is reduced through the incorporation of recycled plastics, bio-based materials, and other sustainable alternatives into products, promoting resource conservation and waste reduction.

SolarCell Remote: Samsung developed the SolarCell Remote to combat the environmental impact of discarding used batteries. It is a rechargeable remote control, with a solar panel (solar cell) that can be charged by sunlight or indoor lighting. The remote can also be charged with a USB-C cable so consumers have many ways to charge their remote.

Environmental Partnerships: Samsung collaborates with environmental organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as government and communities to address global environmental challenges and promote sustainability initiatives. Through strategic partnerships and collective action, the company works towards a shared vision of a greener, more sustainable future for all.

SmartThings for a Healthier Environment: Samsung’s SmartThings platform is revolutionising the way we interact with our surroundings, enabling users to create connected ecosystems that enhance efficiency and conserve resources. Through intelligent sensors, automated controls, and seamless integration with smart devices, SmartThings optimises energy usage, reduces waste, and promotes sustainable living. Moreover, in harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, Samsung’s AI Energy Management solutions optimise energy consumption across various product offerings. AI Energy Mode generates real-time hourly, daily, weekly and monthly histories of your energy consumption, compared to the amount spent in that period and by device, reducing costs and making life easier at all times with its many functions. Machine learning brings a wide range of benefits to areas of the home and your everyday life, by understanding your routine and adapting to save energy intelligently. From times of usage and weighing the loads of clothes in your washing machine to defining the defrost cycles of your refrigerator, AI Energy Mode intelligently learns usage patterns and controls all kinds of variables, all leading to optimised energy usage.

“These concerted efforts reinforce our commitment to an environmentally friendly business approach and set the tone for responsible innovation in the consumer electronics industry. As we commemorate Earth Day 2024, we are reminded that it is not the responsibility of one person or company but all of us to make the necessary moves and changes that will drive positive environmental change. Through sustainable innovation and by integrating eco-conscious features in our products, promoting responsible manufacturing practices, and fostering a culture of sustainability, we believe we are helping pave the way for a better future for our planet and future generations,” said Mike van Lier, Vice President for Consumer Electronics at Samsung Electronics South Africa.

Electronic goods contain numerous precious and semi-precious metals as well as several elements that need to be mined from the earth. Conservation of earth’s precious resources is a fundamental issue that all humans face and this means the requirement for effective recycling and eco-conscious manufacturing is vital. The keys to conservation aren’t complicated – reduce, reuse and recycle. These fundamental principles are applied by Samsung to product design with a system of circular resource management – by mapping out the lifecycle for the products developed.

Justin Hume, Marketing Director of Samsung South Africa, says, “Samsung aims to minimise its products’ environmental impact by maximising resource efficiency from assembly to eventual disposal. This entails reusing parts, utilising recycled packaging and plastics and increasing the recyclability of new products’ components for later use.”

Technology is almost constantly in flux, which means that a device or product that was cutting edge last year could be practically obsolete this year. Because of this, there are many electronic products discarded in favour of newer models or upgrades. But what happens to products that are no longer needed? When it comes to upgrading a cell phone or television, for example, there are numerous opportunities to donate goods that are still in good working order to charities or those less fortunate. But what about products that aren’t in good working order?

If an electronic product is disposed of properly, it will go to an e-waste facility for processing. The first thing that happens is it gets dismantled. Then the various parts are placed in sorting bins. From there, data (where relevant, such as in a cell phone or computer) is destroyed, precious metals are extracted and plastics are readied for recycling. Most cell phones contain precious metals, chemical elements and minerals, including copper, gold, lead, zinc, beryllium, tantalum, coltan, as well as plastics that can be recycled to save energy and resources that would otherwise be required to mine or manufacture.

There are several e-waste facilities in South Africa, many of which belong to the e-Waste Association of South Africa (EWASA), an organisation that works with stakeholders to establish a sustainable and environmentally sound e-waste management system for the country.

Samsung makes use of Desco, an accredited e-waste recycling facility. Anyone wanting to dispose of their electronic goods can make use of the drop-off bins located in Makro or hand the device or product to a salesperson at Incredible Connection or HiFi Corporation stores. Alternatively, there is a list of electronic waste facilities on the EWASA website (www.ewasa.org). While a number of facilities currently exist in South Africa, there is a growing requirement for more, which creates an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs to own and operate businesses that meet the growing demand.

In order to tread more gently on the environment, Samsung has reduced its use of a range of hazardous substances commonly found in electronics manufacturing over the past several years. As a result, products including Samsung’s latest TVs and smartphones are free of widely used but potentially harmful substances including PVC, a common synthetic plastic, flame retardants such as TBBP-A and BFRs and phthalates.

“Samsung’s commitment to reducing its devices’ environmental impact is responsible for QLED TV’s ground-breaking cadmium-free design. Samsung’s Vision 2020 centres around the environment, creating products and designs that both enrich peoples’ lives and contribute to a socially responsible, sustainable future,” concludes Hume.

While innovative technology enables companies to reduce the utilisation of potentially hazardous or precious resources to manufacture goods, there’s still a mountain of products out there that contain elements that are potentially harmful to the environment and can be recycled. To do your part, ensure you dispose of your defunct electronic goods safely and responsibly.