Innovation and collaboration for Samsung’s sustainability journey – Samsung Newsroom UK

Samsung celebrates Earth Day by reflecting on the Galaxy S24 series and highlighting the work of young changemakers.

Samsung is on a journey to harness the power of technology to improve the world we live in. To celebrate Earth Day, Samsung would like to reflect on how we further our mission: whether we use recycled materials in our Galaxy mobile devices or partner with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Finding the balance between innovation and the environment

Samsung is rethinking how Galaxy technology is designed and packaged to do more with less when it comes to our planet’s natural resources. Over the past ten years we have been working to innovate high-quality components made from recycled materials.

In 2022, we took an important step when we incorporated recycled discarded fishing nets, also known as ghost nets, into the Galaxy S22 series. Recycled materials are now found in all Galaxy mobile products, including smartphones, tablets, PCs and wearables⁽¹⁾. At the same time, we have expanded our use to a wider variety of materials, from 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

Galaxy S24 continues to increase the variety of recycled materials in Galaxy devices by applying recycled plastics, glass and aluminum to internal and external components⁽²⁾. It also takes these efforts one step further. For the first time, the Galaxy S24 features components made with recycled cobalt and rare earth metals⁽³⁾. The Galaxy S24 Ultra uses at least 50% recycled cobalt in the battery⁽⁴⁾and 100% recycled rare earth metals are used in the speakers⁽⁵⁾.

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

The recycled ocean-bound plastic⁽⁶⁾ material was created in collaboration with global organizations that collected discarded fishing nets left near the oceans. Together we separated, cleaned and extruded the properties of the nets before optimizing them into high-quality, recycled polyamide pellets. Likewise, the recycled polycarbonate and PET materials come from discarded water barrels and PET bottles that we grind, filter and melt with other additives. This process helps us transform these fragile resources into high-quality, optimized materials that uphold Samsung’s state-of-the-art design and high quality standards. We also work with other organizations to upcycle waste thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) from shoe production.

This is the result of our ongoing efforts with our partners to convert vulnerable plastic waste into high-quality material used in Galaxy devices. With the Galaxy S24 series, we aim to use almost 100 tons of recycled plastic⁽⁷⁾ by the end of 2024, which amounts to 10 million empty containers plastic bottles⁽⁸⁾.

When it comes to recycled metal, the Galaxy S24 series contains recycled aluminum⁽⁹⁾ that comes from scrap generated during production. The aluminum scrap is remelted, filtered for impurities and then recycled to create components within Samsung’s product development process. The Galaxy S24 series has the potential to use approximately 110 tons of recycled aluminum by the end of 2024, equivalent to 9 million soft drink cans⁽¹⁰⁾.

Furthermore, the Galaxy S24 series comes in packaging made from 100% recycled paper material. We hope to be able to do that by the end of 2024 use 2,760 metric tons of recycled paper, that is equivalent of 552 million pieces of A4 paper⁽¹¹⁾. If stacked on top of each other, that would be about the same height as 71 Burj Khalifas⁽¹²⁾the tallest building in the world.

From the smallest components to the newest, most premium features, the Galaxy S24 series represents a significant step in Samsung’s ongoing commitment to using recycled materials in its smartphones. This work could help us shift to more circular designs and build technology that supports a more sustainable future.

^{(1) Recycled materials can be found in all Galaxy devices released in and after 2022}

^{(2) The Galaxy S24 Ultra features recycled materials in the top speaker module, bottom speaker module, front case, S Pen inner cover, S Pen button holder, side key, volume key, SIM card holder, camera decoration, the screen on the front, the glass on the back and the battery.}

^{(3) Neodymium}

^{(4) The batteries of the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ contain at least 50% pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt. The battery of the Galaxy S24 contains at least 10% pre- and post-consumer recycled cobalt.}

^{(5) The Galaxy S24 series speakers contain 100% pre- and post-consumer recycled neodymium.}

^{(6) Ocean-bound plastic is abandoned plastic waste of any size (microplastics, mezzoplastics and macroplastics) that resides in communities or areas within 50 km of the coast.}

^{(7) Calculated tons of recycled plastic based on a sales estimate of the Galaxy S24 series through 2024.}

^{(8) Assuming the weight of 500ml PET bottles is 10 grams, which is the average weight of PET bottles from manufacturers across the market.}

^{(9) A minimum of 28% pre-consumer recycled aluminum is used in both internal and external aluminum components of the Galaxy S24 series. For more information about the recycled materials in the Galaxy S24 series, please see Samsung’s product environmental reports on its website Sustainability website.}

^{(10) From this the average weight of a 330 ml soft drink can is calculated Metal packaging Europe article.}

^{(11) The average weight of A4 paper is calculated based on ISO536:2019.}

^{(12) It is located at an altitude of 828 meters Burj Khalifa holds the record as the tallest building in the world.}