Sep 9 2008
Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today announced SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT, its commitment to the take-back and recycling (TB&R) of Samsung-branded consumer electronics across all of its product lines. Beginning October 1, 2008, people will be able to drop off their Samsung-branded consumer electronics sold in the United States at convenient collection sites, including permanent drop-off centers in all 50 states, and at a wide range of recycling events across the country. Through this convenient recycling program, Samsung-branded consumer electronics will be accepted for no fee, and non-Samsung-branded consumer electronics will be accepted for a nominal fee paid directly to Samsung’s contracted recycling partners upon delivery of the e-waste.
"Since the 1996 launch of our global Green Management Initiative, Samsung Electronics Company has been a staunch advocate of preserving our environment and greening the consumer electronics industry," said DJ Oh, President and CEO, Samsung Electronics America. “As a global enterprise, we have worked diligently to put our environmental responsibility philosophy into practice across our worldwide operations, among our suppliers and partners, and within our local communities. Today we are very pleased to once again affirm those philosophies by announcing that our SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT 50-state take-back and recycling commitment extends across all Samsung-branded consumer electronics sold in the United States with the exception of home appliances. However, there will be a growing number of drop-off locations that will accept home appliances.”
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 toxic waste to developing countries. The SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT program also allows Samsung to track and monitor all of the collected consumer electronics for added assurance that it is recycled responsibly. Mr. Oh added, “We took the extra care to develop the SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT program to achieve the highest integrity end-of-life standards. Samsung Electronics America has set scorecard standards with our contracted recyclers, and we will track and monitor their processes and results very closely.” SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT results will be posted on www.samsung.com/recyclingdirect throughout the year. This will provide an unprecedented level of transparency to the public.
The SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT program joins the numerous TB&R initiatives that the Company currently has in place. Samsung’s Information Technology Division currently has a 50-state S.T.A.R. Toner Recycling Program for printer cartridges and the Envirosync initiative which takes back and recycles Samsung-branded and other branded office equipment for no fee to the end-user or reseller when purchasing new Samsung-branded office equipment. In addition, Samsung also provides recycling for mobile phones through its 50-state Samsung Mobile Take-back Program. Samsung’s commitment will now apply to all Samsung-branded consumer electronics ranging from televisions, DVD and VHS players, audio equipment and home theater systems, to cameras, camcorders, computer monitors, printers, and peripherals. In addition, a growing number of fixed drop-off locations will be made available for home appliances.
“As a leader in the consumer electronics industry, we at Samsung listened carefully to our consumers’ needs and wants to build the consumer-centric SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT program which delivers on their highest priorities,” stated Steven Cook, senior vice president and chief strategic marketing officer, Samsung Electronics America, “This resulted in a convenient way to responsibly recycle their consumer electronics products so that our consumers can enjoy a digital lifestyle in good conscience.”