product environment performance

global recycling

Samsung Electronics makes an effort to develop environment-friendly product that minimizing an impact to environment through whole process from getting raw materials, production, transportation, usage and end-of-life disposal by adding 'environment' on function, price, quality, design that were the essence for product development.

For this process, we takes a responsibility for whole process through LCA and recycle evaluation and by operating recycling center for dealing with an efficient treatment of the waste product.

voluntary programs

Samsung Electronics is keen to take responsibility for its products at the end of their long working lives, both where this is legally required and where it isn't. This responsibility includes ensuring that all collected products are recycled in the most efficient way to minimize the volumes of unrecoverable materials and maximize the usable materials

We are reporting the recycling amounts for Korea and Japan from 2004, for Europe from 2005, and for the United States from 2006. For 2006, we have forecasted an estimate of volumes we expect to recycle this year.

Korea

1. Mobile phone: Samsung Electronics is operating its own voluntary take-back system across Korea (Republic), using a network of 130 of service centers and Anycall Plaza retail outlets (exclusive outlets for Samsung's 'Anycall' brand). End of Life mobile phones are collected either free of charge, or in some cases with a customer reward. The returned phones are then sorted and transported to recycling facilities for scrapping. The scraps are transformed as raw materials for other products in metal smelter.
2. printer toner cartridge: visit imagingworld.co.kr; Our Digital Printer Division operates the "Samsung Green Take-back Program" in Korea for waste printer toner cartridges. This voluntary take-back program was started from August of 2004 and the service is provided free of charge for both B2C and B2B products. The customer can request a collection either via the internet or by calling the logistics company who dispatch a fleet of collection agents. The waste toners are delivered to a recycling centre for safe disposal. (see diagram below); [Samsung Green Take-back process for used printer Toner in Korea]

Europe

1. printer toner cartridge (STAR programme): visit samsung.com/printer/star/
Launched in 2005, the STAR (Samsung Takeback And Recycling) programme aims not only to address the growing environmental problem of waste printer consumables in landfill, but also to set a new benchmark for voluntary manufacturer's cartridge return schemes in our industry. Unlike other schemes, where customers are fooled into thinking their empty cartridges are recycled, but in reality many of them are sent for incineration, the STAR programme was created to ensure proper recycling of every returned unit. All returned cartridges are recycled back into useful materials, which then go on to become new products again. Any parts that cannot be recycled are treated and disposed of in a way that causes minimal environmental impact. Samsung is investigating how to reuse the recycled materials back into new cartridges. This ensures that the maximum value from each returned cartridge is obtained at the smallest environmental cost. Launched initially in 16 European countries Samsung plans to expand the STAR programme in Europe this year, and is considering launching the programme in the Americas and Asia too, depending on market reactions. Bulk collections from businesses will also soon be available
2. Mobile phones - UK: Currently under investigation, Samsung is looking at collaboration with a take-back scheme and the major UK mobile phone networks, on promoting recycling, reuse and extended lifespan of used mobile phones. Ensuring correct high-quality parts are used for refurbishment may increase costs, but greatly reduces risks of harm to users from poorly repaired phones with imitation parts, as has been witnessed in the Middle East and SE Asia.; Launched initially in 16 European countries Samsung plans to expand the STAR programme in Europe this year, and is considering launching the programme in the Americas and Asia too, depending on market reactions. Bulk collections from businesses will also soon be available.

Other

1. Mobile phones - Global

Samsung Electronics telecom division was a founder signatory of the United Nations Environment Programme - Mobile Phone partnership Initiative (MPPI), along with all the other major global manufacturers of mobile phones. Part of the MPPI has been to agree on guidelines for developing countries on how to set up and run successful take-back programmes for used mobiles to stem the tide of EOL phones and "reused" phones in the countries where the West's wastes migrate to. Low cost phones have provided enormous benefits to struggling economies in bridging the digital divide, but not many countries have recognised the environmental risks from the rapidly accumulating WEEE streams.

Project 2.1 of the MPPI is now ready to set up pilot projects in Egypt and Romania, to test out the guidelines for a take-back scheme that uses a mixture of refurbishment and recycling to offset collection costs and make the system sustainable. Future pilot projects are being considered in South-Eastern Europe, South America and Africa.

2. Mobile phones - Green management website and take-back service

As of February 1st, 2007, Samsung Mobile opened "Green Management Website" in the Samsung Fun Club (visit samsungmobile.com ) Once visitors are there, we can relay important environmental information that is designed especially for consumers. This website is set to operate in seven different languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Chinese.

At this website, visitors can find all sorts of information that relate to Samsung's environmental affairs, such as :

Environmental policy, structure and management plans
Management programs and activities for Environment, Safety and Health (ESH)
Stakeholder relations: Green report and global environmental partnership programs

Meanwhile, consumers can find out valuable information about:

Product recycling processes
Product take back locations (contact address), and
Product Eco-Declarations

Proudly, we offer free take back and recycling services for consumers around the world. As such, consumers can find 235 collection locations across 32 countries at the Product Information webpage related to return of old products. We also provide the Eco-Declaration of products on sale. Samsung will continue to develop an expanded take back service through updated consumer awareness, such as through our Eco-Declaration of products sold mentioned above.

North America

1. Samsung Recycling Directsm - US

visit pages.samsung.com/us/recyclingdirect
Beginning October 1, 2008, people will be able to drop off their Samsung-branded consumer electronics at convenient collection sites and events, including a network of 174 permanent drop-off centers, covering all 50 states.

Samsung elected to contract directly with recycling companies, unlike other consumer electronics TB&R programs that rely on intermediaries. Samsung conducted extensive research into the qualifications, capabilities, and integrity of these companies to ensure that they mirror Samsung's own environmental philosophy. As such, the Samsung RECYCLING DIRECT program will only utilize recyclers that do not incinerate, landfill, or export hazardous electronic waste to developing countries.

Beginning on October 1, 2008, consumers will be able to engage Samsung and its recycling partners in any of the four ways described below. Regardless of the method, Samsung-branded consumer electronics sold in the United States will be accepted for recycling for no fee through the Samsung RECYCLING DIRECT program.

Samsung RECYCLING DIRECT Fixed Drop-off Points in all 50 States : Drop off Samsung-branded consumer electronics at a fixed collection point as identified on our website. Samsung-branded home appliance drop-off opportunities will also be available at a growing number of locations specifically described on our website. Non-Samsung-branded consumer electronics will be accepted for a nominal, weight-based fee paid directly to Samsung's contracted recycling partners upon delivery of the e-waste. A list of fixed collection points can be found at:
visit www.samsung.com/recyclingdirect

Samsung RECYCLING DIRECT Sponsored TB&R Events in all 50 States : Drop off Samsung branded consumer electronics at recycling events sponsored by Samsung beginning in October 2008. Samsung will schedule these events to make it easier for consumers to recycle their Samsung-branded consumer electronics conveniently and responsibly. Non-Samsung-branded consumer electronics will be accepted for a nominal, weight-based fee paid directly to Samsung's contracted recycler upon delivery of recycled goods. A list of Samsung-sponsored TB&R events can be found at:
visit www.samsung.com/recyclingdirect

Samsung RECYCLING DIRECT TB&R Drives with Retail and Business Partners Across the US : A regularly updated list of recycling drives can be found at:
visit www.samsung.com/recyclingdirect

Pre-Scheduled / Non-Samsung-Sponsored TB&R Drives with Leading Recyclers : Drop off Samsung-branded consumer electronics at a pre-scheduled recycling drive or non-Samsung-sponsored event that our leading recycling partners are conducting, and the Samsung-branded products will be accepted for no fee. Non-Samsung-branded products will be accepted for a nominal weight-based fee paid directly to the recycler upon delivery of the e-waste. A regularly updated list of pre-scheduled recycling drives and non-Samsung-sponsored events conducted by our recycling partners can be found as of October 2008 at:
visit www.samsung.com/recyclingdirect

2. Printer Toner Cartridge (STAR Programme)

visit samsung.com/printer/starus (US)
samsung.com/ca/star (Canada)
Samsung Take Back and Recycling (STAR) program has been in service in the US from December 1, 2007; and within Canada from February 11, 2008. This program allows consumers an easy way to responsibly dispose of their toner cartridges. Customers in the US and business customers in Canada can insert their used cartridge into the box from the newly purchased Samsung toner cartridge, complete the shipping label on the box and call FedEx for a free pick-up. Samsung customers can also choose the option of printing out a pre-paid shipping label and can drop the box off at 51,000 FedEX locations in the US and 7,000 Post offices in Canada to return for disposal. The materials in the toner cartridge are processed in a safe and environmentally responsible way, thereby minimizing their overall environmental impact and preventing these empty cartridges from ending up in landfills.

3. Mobile Phones - US

visit fun.samsungmobileusa.com/recycling/index.jsp
Samsung formally launched its mobile phone take back program on May 15, 2008. Consumers can now go to the Samsung website and printout a free pre-paid US Postal Service (USPS) mailing label. Consumers can then conveniently deliver their old mobile phones to Samsung. This take back program will accept Samsung mobile phones as well as any other branded mobile phones. Samsung and its recycling partners process all collected mobile phones in an environmentally responsible manner for recycling and materials management. This take back program is a partnership between Samsung and the US EPA's PLUG-IN TO eCYCLING.

China

Samsung and China Mobile Communications Corp. is operating the "Green Box Campaign" since December 2005 in order to take back and recycle waste mobile phones. Samsung has implemented 'Green Box' in 76 service centres covering 60 cities across China. The collected mobile phones in Samsung service centres are transported into a Beijing warehouse, and then sent to TES-AMM Corporation (China) Ltd for environmentally safe recycling.