Samsung Expands Sustainability Efforts with New Goals for 2030

Samsung Electronics, headquartered in South Korea, recently announced significant advancements in its sustainability initiative, "Galaxy for the Planet," with new environmental targets set for 2030. On February 26, 2026, the company unveiled these ambitious goals at a press event, laying the groundwork for future sustainability efforts while highlighting its achievements since the inception of this initiative in 2021. By 2025, Samsung aims to fulfill all initial targets centered on reducing environmental impacts related to product design, manufacturing, and operations.

"Galaxy for the Planet" serves as the cornerstone of Samsung's Mobile eXperience (MX) division, facilitating ongoing technological innovation, material development, and operational enhancements to promote environmental sustainability. TM Roh, Samsung's CEO and head of its DX (Device Experience) division, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts by the Samsung team and its partners, stating, "The accomplishments we have achieved through 'Galaxy for the Planet' result from years of dedicated work. Sustainability is at the core of our business operations and innovation, influencing everything from product design and resource management to value creation beyond mere devices."

Key Progress Under 'Galaxy for the Planet'

Samsung has successfully met all established goals by 2025 to minimize the environmental impact of its mobile products and operations. One major focus involves increasing the use of recycled materials across the entire Samsung Galaxy product line. Currently, the company incorporates ten different types of recycled materials in both exterior and internal components of its devices, guided by continuous research, trial, and validation processes.

All recycled materials used in Samsung Galaxy products meet ISO 14021 standards and have undergone third-party verification, including both pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled materials. These materials consist of plastics, glass, aluminum, cobalt, lithium, steel, copper, gold, rare earth elements, and tantalum. The proportion of recycled materials varies across products, with more detailed information available at Samsung's Sustainability.

Additionally, significant strides have been made in enhancing circularity through material innovation. Samsung has not only utilized recycled plastic sourced from abandoned fishing nets—at risk of entering the ocean—but has also established a "circular battery supply chain" that recovers and reuses materials from spent batteries used in Samsung Galaxy devices.

Mobile product packaging has undergone a transformation as well, replacing single-use plastics with paper and recycled materials. Concurrently, Samsung has targeted the research and development of low standby power technologies, successfully reducing the standby power of its Galaxy smartphone chargers to nearly zero. This technology is now applicable across multiple output models.

In its manufacturing facilities, Samsung has made significant headway in its global "Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL)" initiatives, achieving 100% landfill avoidance at ten designated mobile manufacturing sites certified as ZWTL Platinum under UL Solutions standards. These waste management efforts are aligned with regional regulations and infrastructures.

The results demonstrate steady progress under "Galaxy for the Planet," reinforcing the foundation for continued expansion of these initiatives. Having accomplished its initial goals on schedule, Samsung is now setting forth new environmental objectives for 2030.

Strengthening Commitment to the Environment

The next phase of Samsung's efforts will broaden the focus of "Galaxy for the Planet" beyond product-level initiatives to tackle the broader environmental and ecological impacts of its global business operations. The new goals for 2030 will center on three key areas: promoting a circular economy, enhancing water resource management, and preserving biodiversity.

- Promoting a Circular Economy: Samsung aims to incorporate at least one type of recycled material into every module of its mobile products, fostering continuous resource circulation throughout the entire Samsung Galaxy ecosystem.
- Enhancing Water Resource Management: The company will bolster its initiatives surrounding water resource management within the mobile division, setting a goal to return 110% of water used to the surrounding watersheds and aiming to achieve the highest level of AWS certification, Platinum status.
- Preserving Ecosystems: Recognizing the potential environmental impact of its operations, Samsung has established a goal to protect ecosystems threatened by its global mobile activities, focusing on enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.

Samsung's commitment to "Galaxy for the Planet" embodies the essential role that environmental responsibility plays in its innovation, operational practices, and long-term value creation, positioning sustainability at the heart of its business operations.

For further insights into Samsung's journey with "Galaxy for the Planet," including an informative video, please refer to the links provided. Detailed information regarding Samsung Electronics' sustainability metrics, verification processes, and progress updates can also be accessed on their sustainability site.

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