Galaxy for the Planet

Innovation and Collaboration for Samsung’s Sustainability Journey

April 15, 2024

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Samsung is celebrating Earth Day by reflecting on the Galaxy S24 series and spotlighting the work of young changemakers.

From designing the first Galaxy AI phone with recycled materials in certain parts¹ to collaborating with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Samsung is on a journey to open possibilities for people and the planet. We harness the power of innovation and strategic partnerships with likeminded organizations to advance our mission and deliver positive impact for a better future.

Finding the Balance between Innovation and the Environment
Samsung is reimagining how Galaxy technology is designed and packaged to do more with less when it comes to our planet’s natural resources. For the last decade, we have worked to innovate high-performance components that are made with recycled materials.

We took an important step in 2022 when we incorporated recycled discarded fishing nets, also known as ghost nets, in the Galaxy S22 series. Recycled materials can now be found in all Galaxy mobile products, including smartphones, tablets, PCs and wearables². At the same time, we have expanded our use to a greater variety of materials, from several different types of plastics to metals and glass.

Visualizing how the Galaxy S24 series is designed and packaged to do more with less for people and the planet

The Galaxy S24 series³ takes these actions one step further. For the first time in any Galaxy device, we developed key device components with recycled cobalt, rare earth elements and steel. The battery⁴ in the Galaxy S24 Ultra contains a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt, and 100% recycled rare earth elements⁵ and a minimum of 40% recycled steel⁶ were used in the speakers.

Samsung has a long history of addressing the pervasive challenge of plastic waste through our recycled material innovations, and recycled plastics continue to play an important role in the Galaxy S24 series. The Galaxy S24 series maintains our use of recycled plastics sourced from discarded fishing nets, water barrels and PET bottles.

The recycled ocean-bound plastic⁶ material was created in partnership with global organizations who collected discarded fishing nets abandoned near the oceans. The nets’ properties were separated, cleaned and extruded before optimizing them into high-performance, recycled polyamide pellets. Similarly, the recycled polycarbonate and PET materials are sourced from discarded water barrels and PET bottles that were ground, filtered and melted down with other additives. This process helps us transform these fragile resources into high-performance optimized materials that uphold Samsung’s state-of-the-art design and high-quality standards. We also teamed up with other organizations to upcycle discarded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) that was generated from shoe manufacturing.

This is a culmination of our continued efforts with our partners to transform fragile plastic wastes into high performance material used in Galaxy devices. With the Galaxy S24 series, our goal by end of 2024 is to help recover nearly 100 metric tons of recycled plastics⁷, which is equivalent to 10 million empty plastic bottles⁸.

When it comes to recycled metal, the Galaxy S24 series incorporates recycled aluminum⁹ that originates from scrap metal generated during manufacturing. The aluminum scrap is re-melted, filtered for impurities and then recycled to make components within Samsung’s product development process. With the Galaxy S24 series, our goal by end of 2024 is to recover about 110 metric tons of recycled aluminum, which is the equivalent of 9 million soda cans¹⁰.

Additionally, the Galaxy S24 series comes in a packaging box made using 100% recycled paper material. By the end of 2024, our goals is to recover nearly 2,760 metric tons of recycled paper with Galaxy S24 series, which is equivalent of 552 million pieces of A4 paper¹¹. If stacked on top of one another, that would be approximately the same height as 71 Burj Khalifas¹², which is the tallest building in the world.

From the smallest components to the newest, most premium features, the Galaxy S24 series represents a significant stride in Samsung’s sustainability journey, and we remain committed to scaling these innovations in years to come. This work will help us shift to more circular designs and build technology that supports a more sustainable future.

Enabling a Global Platform for Change
We believe that preserving the future of our planet is not a solo job. We teamed up with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support young changemakers on the frontlines of climate change and enable them to deliver meaningful progress for our collective future. Through Generation17¹³, we elevate their platforms on the global stage and enable their success through mentorship, peer learning and networking.

Today, we want to spotlight some of our incredible Generation17 Young Leaders and their work to address environmental challenges through upcycling materials, advocating for environmental reforms, and concerts powered by renewable energy.

Maximo speaking about the role of youth in climate activism at a Goals House event

Máximo Mazzocco, a leading climate activist from Argentina, is the founder of Eco House, an NGO that specializes in educational and ecological restoration programs. Today it operates 40 environmental programs globally and educates more than 100,000 youth on environmental topics in Argentina every year. Recently, he advocated for the approval of more than 40 socio-environmental laws and organized digital communications campaigns for the environment that reached more than 150 million users. In 2023, Eco House conducted workshops in collaboration with other organizations to educate more than 60,000 state workers on environmental laws for the public sector. These trainings were the result of a law that EcoHouse advocated for called the Mandatory Ecological Education for State Workers Law¹⁵. The organization also launched Eco News, which is dedicated to providing quality socio-environmental information.

Tamara working at her sustainability focused organization, Liberty Society

Tamara Gondo, a Young Leader from Indonesia, started her social enterprise, Liberty Society, to empower and upskill marginalized refugee women in Indonesia. Liberty Society provides tailoring and entrepreneurship trainings to produce goods made from upcycled materials. Upcycling materials is an important method to minimize waste whilst also reducing CO2 emissions through extending the lifespan of materials. In 2023 alone, Liberty Society has upcycled 2.5 tons of waste into more than 40,000 individual goods, set up four training-to-employment centers, and upskilled 225 women from marginalized communities¹⁶.

AY editing music in his home studio

AY Young, is a performer from the United States who created the Battery Tour to raise awareness around the importance of sustainable electricity and provide solar powered batteries to communities in need. He is also producing an album, titled Project 17, to support organizations working towards each of the 17 Global Goals. During Climate Week in 2023, AY hosted a preview performance for the album. His shows are powered by 100% renewable energy and since kicking off his tour, AY has donated over 100 solar boxes that power medical devices, fans, and lights in Puerto Rico, Haiti, Honduras and six African countries¹⁷.

Promoting Small Impact for Big Actions
While we are proud of these accomplishments, Samsung’s journey is ongoing and always evolving. Our work will not end here. We will continue to join forces with like-minded organizations and accelerate our efforts for more innovation, more collaboration and positive impact.

For more information about Samsung’s sustainability efforts, please visit our Sustainability Website.

¹ For more information about the recycled materials in the Galaxy S24 series, please review Samsung’s product environmental reports on the Sustainability website.
² Recycled materials can be found in all Galaxy devices released in and after 2022.
³ The Galaxy S24 series features a variety of recycled materials including pre- or post-consumer recycled plastics, including Polyamide (PA), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) in both internal and external components. It also includes components made with pre-consumer recycled aluminum and glass, as well as pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt, rare earth elements (neodymium), and steel. For more information about the recycled materials in the Galaxy S24 series, please review Samsung’s product environmental reports on the Sustainability website.
⁴ The batteries of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ include a minimum of 50% pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt. The battery of the Galaxy S24 includes a minimum of 10% pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt. The above measurements are based on weight.
⁵ The speakers of the Galaxy S24 series include 100% pre- and post-consumer recycled neodymium. The above measurements are based on weight.
⁶The speakers of the Galaxy S24 series include a minimum of 40% pre- and post-consumer recycled steel. The above measurements are based on weight.
⁷ 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.
⁸ Calculated tons of recycled materials in this article are based on internal estimates.
⁹ Assuming the weight of 500ml PET bottles is 10g, which is the average weight of PET bottles from manufacturers across the market.
¹⁰ A minimum of 28% pre-consumer recycled aluminum is used in both internal and external aluminum components of Galaxy S24 series. For more information about the recycled materials in the Galaxy S24 series, please review Samsung’s product environmental reports on the Sustainability website.
¹¹ Average weight of 330ml soda can is calculated from Metal Packaging Europe article.
¹² Average weight of A4 paper is calculated based on ISO 536:2019.
¹³ At 828 meters high, the Burj Khalifa holds the record as the tallest building in the world.
¹⁴ Beginning in 2020, Generation17 is a partnership between Samsung and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) harnesses mobile technology to empower young people around the world who are taking concrete action towards Global Goals.
¹⁵ Eco House Impact Report: 7 Years of Action for Sustainability (2016-2023).
¹⁶ Liberty Society Annual Impact Report 2023.
¹⁷ Battery Tour.