// Samsung will begin to replace plastic packaging with sustainable alternatives
// Task force launched to significantly reduce the amount of virgin plastic in supply chain
// Forms part of its wider plan to use 500,000 tonnes of recycled plastics by 2030
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Samsung has become the latest retailer to pledge to reduce plastic packaging, laying out plans to substitute more sustainable alternatives this year.
The technology retailer has launched a task force to spearhead its drive towards more sustainable packaging.
In the first half of this year, Samsung Electronics said it would begin substituting plastic packaging currently used for its mobile phones and home appliances with recycled plastics or paper alternatives.
Furthermore, Samsung plans to make the exterior of its phone chargers matte, meaning there is no need for plastic protection films.
Plastic bags used to protect items like TVs and washing machines will also be replaced by recycled plastics and bio-plastics, which are made from sugar cane and starch as opposed to fossil fuel.
“Samsung Electronics is stepping up in addressing society’s environmental issues such as resource depletion and plastic wastes,” Samsung head of global customer satisfaction center Gyeong-bin Jeon said.
“We will adopt more environmentally sustainable materials even if it means an increase in cost.”
This forms part of Samsung Electronic’s wider sustainability drive, which aims to collect 7.5 million tonnes of discarded products and use 500,000 tonnes of recycled plastics by 2030.
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