Are there really fishing nets in the Samsung Galaxy S22 series?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series consists partly of recycled materials. For example, in an earlier article we already came with the news that the Galaxy S22 series from Samsung would be made in part from fishing nets. In this article we dive a little deeper into this and we look at the extent to which the devices from the S22 line are sustainable. Is it really about sustainability or is it more of a marketing story?
Contents
Galaxy for the Planet
We’ll start at the beginning, because what exactly is this story about? In August 2021, Samsung unveiled ‘Galaxy for the Planet’. A sustainability platform that should ensure so-called ‘tangible climate actions’ throughout the company. Galaxy for the Planet contains five points that should ensure that Samsung’s ecological footprint is reduced, and that the overall production of the Galaxy products must be made more sustainable. These are the five points:
- Delivering better environmental impact
- Using recycled materials in the new smartphones
- 0% plastic in all packaging
- Smartphone chargers should waste less energy
- No more waste to the landfill
(all points should be achieved by 2025))
Steps further highlighted
In some of these points, the Galaxy S22 series is already taking a big step. Samsung also says that the “Galaxy S22 series marks a new step in Samsung’s sustainability journey in the Galaxy for the Planet platform.” For example, the packaging of the entire series consists of recycled plastic and the smartphones themselves are partly made. from recycled materials. Samsung therefore refers directly to points two and three mentioned above. The problem with these points, however, is that Samsung hardly mentions numbers or percentages.
Take point two for an example. Samsung elaborates on this, saying: ”To promote a more circular economy, Samsung is investing in new and innovative environmentally conscious materials for its products. With the goal of using recycled materials in all new mobile products by 2025, Samsung will use different recycled materials in its products, taking into account their strength, aesthetics and durability. point ‘achieved’ in the S22 series. Because yes, recycled materials are used in this smartphone series. But how much exactly?
Drop on a glowing plate
The Galaxy S22 series consists partly of recycled fishing nets and plastic bottles. Samsung hereby reports that it removes more than 50 tons per year of fishing nets from the ocean, to be used in the S22 phones. And that’s great, the fewer fishing nets, the better. However? But numbers like this don’t tell you anything unless you know how many fishing nets are currently floating in the ocean. Estimates vary, but it is estimated that around 650,000 tons of fishing nets are dumped into the oceans each year. And then 50 tons is suddenly a very, very small percentage.
Especially if you look at the extent to which these fishing nets and plastic bottles have been processed in the Galaxy S22 series. The plastic bottles and fishing nets from the ocean are incorporated in the buttons on the side, the ear speakers and the S-pen holder (S22 Ultra). Of these three parts, 20% is recycled, so the rest is just ‘old-fashioned’ plastic.
Marketing or sustainable rescue?
Okay, don’t get me wrong, it’s good that a big company like Samsung pays attention to sustainability and that they discussed this quite extensively at their ‘Galaxy Unpacked’ event. However, because Samsung announced it in such a big way, I also expected a few things, and then the ‘only’ 20% recycled plastic in only the buttons on the side and the S-pen holder is simply disappointing. This may make it sound more like a marketing and
feel goodstory and possibly as a kind of panic response to the ever-increasing demand for sustainability.
What do you think? Do you see it more as a marketing story and/or do you think Samsung is (well) on the right track? Let us know in the comments below this article.
Do you want to know more about the Samsung Galaxy S22 series? Check out the articles below:
