Closing the loop on sustainability
How Samsung’s recycling program keeps e-waste out of landfills — and how you can help.
The world produces more than 50 million tons of e-waste every year.1 Yet less than 20% of discarded TVs, computers, phones and other types of electronics will be recycled. The rest will likely end up in a landfill where it can cause serious illness or contaminate the soil and groundwater. In our ongoing efforts to improve our carbon footprint, combate climate change and improve product sustainability, Samsung is committed to the responsible recycling of our products at the very highest of standards. You can help by recycling or trading in your old phone, and by purchasing Samsung Certified Re-Newed products.
What can you do with an old cell phone?
Despite its name, e-waste isn’t trash — it contains valuable, useful components that can be recaptured, recycled and given new life.
When phones are sent in for recycling, they’re tested first to see if they can be refurbished. Non-working devices are disassembled and broken down into key materials like glass, metals, plastic and batteries. Each of these materials can be reused in new Samsung products or sold on to be used by other industries, keeping them in the supply chain and out of the waste stream. Since 2008, we’ve collected 1.1 billion pounds of electronics in the U.S. through our Re+ recycling program.
Responsible cell phone recycling
Not all “green” efforts are ethical or sustainable. We ensure our products are recycled safely and responsibly, and that no materials are exported overseas to be dumped in developing countries. Through strict adherence to the eStewards Standard, which has established the best practices for the reuse and recycling of e-waste worldwide. Samsung has received the U.S. EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Gold Tier Champion Award for leadership in e-waste collection and recycling for seven years running.
Phone recycling starts with you
There are many ways you can help create a circular, sustainable economy. An easy way to start is simply to recycle or trade in your old phones. You can clear out some space while you do something good for the environment. Before you trade in or recycle your old Android or iOS phone, follow the steps below.
Upcycle your old phone using SmartThings Labs
Instead of throwing away your old smartphone, give it a new purpose. Through the SmartThings Labs feature in your SmartThings app, you can use your older phone to control your SmartThings-compatible lighting or as a baby monitor. The Galaxy Upcycling at Home program has been recognized by the Reuters Responsible Business Awards as a “highly commended” effort to transition phone ownership to a circular, sustainable business model.3
Go greener with a new-to-you phone
Get more than an upgrade. Samsung Certified Re-Newed smartphones are rigorously tested to ensure you get the quality and performance of a brand-new device, but with a much lower carbon footprint. Simply buying a refurbished phone saves 80% or about 121 pounds of CO2 compared to a new device2 — and will save you some money, too.
- 1 Source: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/un-report-time-seize-opportunity-tackle-challenge-e-waste
- 2 Source: https://therestartproject.org/the-global-footprint-of-mobiles/
- 3The Galaxy Upcycling at Home feature is available on all S, Note, and Z series released from 2018 (S9, Note9 or later) running Android 9 and above. More devices will be supported in the future.
Rebuilt, refurbished, Re-Newed
Samsung Certified Re-Newed smartphones are everything you want, with lower prices and a lower environmental impact. Keep your wallet green while reducing your carbon footprint, too.
Galaxy S20 5G
Certified Re-Newed
Galaxy Note10+
Certified Re-Newed
Galaxy S10e
Certified Re-Newed
