Samsung Electronics has announced its new environmental strategy, a comprehensive effort to join the global movement to combat climate change. At the heart of the new commitment is a goal to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050, using innovative technologies to implement sustainability throughout your production process, product lifecycle and beyond – enabling a more sustainable future for all.
In line with this vision, ESG – or environment, social and governance – is much more than a buzzword at Samsung Electronics, and we believe that having a positive impact on the planet starts with our people. That’s why we’re highlighting Samsung workers around the world who are leading the way in fostering a culture of sustainability and social responsibility. We’re sharing ESG information across Samsung and answering questions about how we’re building a better tomorrow for everyone.
Next in our series on how Samsung employees around the world are building a more sustainable future is someone making a difference for consumers and the climate. Meet Luiz Xavier, from Samsung in Brazil.
Giving new life to old products: Re+, Samsung’s reverse logistics program
Luiz Xavier, Senior Director of Customer Service at Samsung Brazil, is responsible for all areas of customer service, from planning, implementation and improvement to creating a positive experience. “Modern consumers want more than a quality product or a friendly service experience”, explained Luiz Xavier. “Instead, they want to support a company that protects people and the planet.”
At the heart of Samsung is an environmental strategy that consists of comprehensive global efforts to address climate change. In Brazil, this strategy is put into practice through Re+, a reverse logistics, awareness and education program led by Luiz and his team. The mission? Don’t let e-waste go to waste. By providing the processes that enable consumers to properly dispose of electronic waste, Luiz also lays the groundwork for a better tomorrow.
E-waste, or electronic waste, is a product that does not work or is unused when replaced with a new one.
“Consider this extremely common scenario: you upgrade your phone and put the old one in the drawer, just in case,” said Luiz. “However, by keeping that phone, you’ve set aside a device that could probably still be used. Also, by not recycling the old one right away, you reduced the chance that it would be reused.”
“In general, our rush to get new equipment and our hesitation to dispose of our old items is what is making discarded electronics the fastest growing category of household waste in the world,” he added.
Collectively, Brazilians have more than 240 million smartphones for a population of less than 215 million. If you add notebooks and tablets, the number jumps to more than 350 million, or 1.6 items per person, according to a survey by the Brazilian institution Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV)1.
The issue of e-waste is widespread and persistent, and resolving it will require both the private and public sectors to work together. Samsung has always been focused on using technology to empower people and improve their lives – which is where Re+ comes into play.
So what is Re+, exactly? This global reverse logistics program arrived in Brazil in 2017 and offered consumers a free, eco-conscious and practical way to recycle or dispose of their electronic products and appliances. This isn’t just for Samsung devices. Re+ accepts items of any brand, including batteries, cell phones, notebooks, refrigerators, washing machines and other broken, used or obsolete products.
“Samsung has set up around 350 collection bins for small products at Samsung stores and other collection points, including Service Centers and kiosks”. For larger electronics, such as televisions, refrigerators and washing machines, consumers can schedule home pickups.
Luiz was proud to report that in the first half of 2022 Samsung achieved a 190% growth in the number of items collected compared to the same period in 2021. However, he has an even bigger goal.
“More than promoting the recycling and correct disposal of electronics and reducing the impact of technology on the environment, our mission with Re+ is to increase consumer awareness of the importance of a complete and responsible cycle of relationship with products” , said Louis. He noted that the biggest challenge is expanding Brazilian consumer awareness of the program.
“Despite the significant results achieved in 2022, there is still room for improvement and greater involvement of Brazilians in the recycling effort,” he added.
As a result, Luiz and his team participated in educational programs in schools and launched various campaigns and events to raise awareness of the importance of recycling – ensuring that future generations will grow up appreciating the planet and the role they play in its preservation.
A campaign aired on TV illustrated how easy and practical it is to dispose of electronics that are wasted at home. As TV plays a fundamental role in the lives of Brazilians, at the end of the film, the viewer is invited to access a QR Code for the main page of Re+, offering details on how products of all sizes are collected, discarded and recycled for that the raw material can be reused in the production chain.
You can watch the video of the Re+ campaign below:
Making recycling fun for the whole family
For Luiz, sustainability runs in the family. As he has worked in the tech industry for years, disposing of e-waste in an environmentally conscious way has always been on his radar. However, he wanted to move from eco-friendly work to an eco-friendly life. As a result, and engaging in other eco-conscious practices, he has reduced his excessive use of resources and always cleans his recyclable packaging before discarding it. In addition, his family actively supports and participates in Re+, contributing smartphones, chargers, cables and headphones to the program.
“More than participating, we also always seek to spread messages among our family and friends about sustainability and the correct disposal of electronics”, said Luiz. “We believe that this awareness is essential for the advancement of environmental preservation”.
Luiz says he is a sustainability enthusiast because he understands its value and how it can provide a better world for people today and in the future. Therefore, it is easier for him to be eco-friendly as a family.
“When we deal with this as a family, we can help the next generations to learn about the subject, and we stimulate the mentality and culture of sustainability, so that the children start to spread it among their friends and colleagues as well”, said Luiz.
For those who want to pass on the values of sustainability to their family and friends, he suggests two basic tips that anyone can try: 1) talk more about sustainability and 2) lead by example. That way, you can inspire others through your actions and not just words.
Luiz has put these two simple tips into practice in his own family, and he is very proud to report that his children now consider sustainability in everything they do. “My family is proud to participate in the Re+ program,” he said. “They mention it with other relatives and friends whenever they can.”
Happy People, Happy Planet: Inspiring the World
As a leader in technology innovation and prioritizing the customer experience, Samsung strives to make the planet a happy and healthy place for everyone. This has been noticed and well accepted by consumers.
“Our customers in Brazil recognize that Samsung, through programs like Re+, constantly strives to be a responsible company,” said Luiz. “Sustainability is at the heart of our product journey, so our consumers know our innovations have the planet in mind at every moment – from design to product disposal.”
“Through such eco-conscious initiatives, Samsung is becoming increasingly recognized by its customers and valued in the marketplace. I feel honored and motivated to be able to actively contribute to this movement and look forward to the next steps.”
A recent survey carried out by Samsung shows that Brazilian consumers know the importance of engaging in sustainability actions. 94% of respondents said they consider recycling habits very important and that they are also concerned about the impact of their actions on the environment. However, the same survey pointed out that only 62% of Brazilians who practice recycling habits also correctly dispose of electronic items.
“As a country with rich biodiversity, Brazil presents a wide range of challenges when it comes to sustainability,” noted Luiz. “Samsung has a consistent ESG agenda, which further motivates me to contribute and engage in programs like Re+.” That is why it is so rewarding for me to participate in this environmental education movement in my country”. The growth of Re+ numbers is a sign that we are on the right path and a great incentive for us to continue with sustainable projects and initiatives in 2023 and beyond”.
Learn more about Samsung Electronics’ sustainability initiatives here.