Samsung Electronics has collected discarded fishing nets from the ocean since 2022 and recycled 150 tons of plastic waste extracted from them into materials for Galaxy smartphones. The battery of the 'Galaxy S25' uses over 50% recycled cobalt extracted from discarded Galaxy smartphone batteries.
Daniel Araujo, senior managing director of Samsung Electronics' Mobile Experience (MX) division, held a press conference on the 24th (local time) at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego, California, and noted that 'Samsung actively utilizes recycled materials when making smartphones.'
Araujo said, 'Building an environmentally friendly recycling circular system is central to Samsung Electronics' sustainable management,' and added that plastic materials from used wafer trays discarded in Samsung Electronics' semiconductor manufacturing process have also been recycled into polycarbonate materials, which were applied to the side key and volume key of the Galaxy S25. He further stated, 'Based on the expected sales volume of the Galaxy S25, about 30 tons of wafer tray recycled plastic are projected to be used this year.' Additionally, both the front and back of the Galaxy S25 include recycled glass, and the metal frame contains recycled armor aluminum.
The Galaxy S25 is the first product to include a battery made with recycled cobalt extracted from discarded Galaxy smartphone batteries. Araujo mentioned, 'We have obtained UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification for the entire process of manufacturing batteries using cobalt extracted from discarded Galaxy smartphone batteries,' adding that this establishes a 'battery recycling circular system,' which significantly improves the resource circulation within the Galaxy ecosystem.
Araujo introduced Samsung's efforts to not only collect discarded fishing nets but also restore marine ecosystems. He explained that 'Samsung has learned that discarded fishing nets have a negative impact on the marine ecosystem, particularly on coral reefs, and has taken the lead in restoring coral reef ecosystems,' noting that since January of last year, they have been conducting the 'Coral in Focus' marine ecosystem restoration project in collaboration with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the U.S. nonprofit organization Seatrees.
'Coral in Focus' is a project that monitors the current condition of coral reefs, which are key habitats and recently have faced severe destruction in areas such as Florida in the U.S., Bali in Indonesia, and Fiji, by taking underwater photos of coral reefs using Galaxy smartphones and extending to restoration efforts (like planting healthy corals). Over the past year, the area of restored coral habitat has reached 4,500 square meters (㎡). The Samsung 'Galaxy S24 Ultra,' optimized for underwater photography with its 'Ocean mode,' was used for monitoring coral habitat. This ocean mode has not been integrated into commercially sold products and was exclusively used in the Coral in Focus project.
Araujo explained, 'Because mostly blue light is reflected underwater while red and other colors are absorbed, a color distortion occurs that prevents us from seeing those colors,' adding that 'we developed an optimized shooting mode for underwater photography, called Ocean mode, and provided it to Scripps and Seatrees.'
Leah Hayes, project director of Seatrees, which is supported by Samsung, stated, 'We are conducting coral restoration activities based on the results of monitoring taken from coral reef photos captured using Galaxy smartphones and converted into 3D models.' She added, 'Previously, underwater coral photos were unclear, presenting difficulties, but thanks to Samsung, the coral restoration project is gaining momentum.'