Samsung is minimizing its environmental footprint and adopting various sustainable measures as part of the "Galaxy for the Planet" initiative announced in August 2021. This progress comes with the goal of achieving the sustainability goals set for 2025 in the mobile experience business area.

According to the "Green Savers" portal, the development and incorporation of recycled materials in products, the design of greener packaging and the reduction of e-waste, which gives a new life to old Samsung Galaxy devices, are some of the changes that the brand has been applying.

The new Galaxy Z series, which includes the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 smartphones, and the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, contain pieces made from abandoned fishing nets inside. So far, there are already eleven Galaxy devices that use reclaimed fishing nets, including the Galaxy S22 series - where it all started - the Galaxy Book2 Pro and the Galaxy Tab S8. By repurposing fishing nets into a high-performance material for Galaxy technology, Samsung is helping to minimize the effects of plastic pollution in the oceans.

In addition to these parts, Samsung has incorporated other eco-conscious and post-consumer materials, as well as bio-based resin in 90% in the Galaxy devices released last year. In the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, more than 90% of the product is already produced with recycled materials.

In the future the company plans to make further investments in research and development to obtain and transform new materials for use in its products, thus increasing the presence of recycled materials in each device.

The company has pledged to eliminate all single-use plastic in mobile product packaging by 2025, and so far, it has already reduced a considerable amount of plastic its current packaging for Galaxy smartphones, including the new foldable ones.

It currently uses 100% recycled paper in the packaging of its flagship products. This change will save the equivalent of 51,000 trees with the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy Z series this year alone.

Samsung has also reduced the packaging volume on the Galaxy Z Flip4 by 52.8% and the Galaxy Z Fold4 by 58.2%, respectively, compared to the first generation of foldable smartphones. By reducing the volume of each device package, the brand ultimately reduces its environmental footprint in transporting these units.

The company estimates that this equates to a reduction in carbon emissions from transport of approximately 10,000 tons by the end of 2022.

Reducing e-waste is also crucial for Samsung, something visible in the expanding Galaxy Upcycling program. This initiative gives a new life to older smartphones in the Galaxy range. In addition, through Galaxy Upcycling at Home, it repurposes smartphones with a simple software update that turns them into smart home devices that support everyday needs, such as child care and pet care.

The company also transforms second-hand Galaxy Upcycles devices into EYELIKE™ category medical diagnostic equipment that provides needed eye care services in disadvantaged communities.

This program has already made hundreds of Galaxy devices work and provided basic eye care to more than 13,000 patients in Vietnam, Morocco, India, and Papua New Guinea.