LG Electronics pledges to reduce e-waste and promote recycling

SOUTH KOREA – LG Electronics, a multinational electronics company, has pledged its commitment to the Consumer Technology Circularity Initiative (CTCI), a voluntary industry program aimed at showcasing innovations in the lifecycle of consumer technology products.

The initiative focuses on reducing waste and climate impact, promoting re-use and recycling, and ultimately minimizing the disposal of consumer electronics, commonly known as e-waste.

As part of its involvement in the CTCI, LG Electronics has developed cushioning materials for packaging its products, incorporating 50% waste polystyrene with recycled vinyl.

The company has also implemented a packaging take-back program tailored to specific regions, considering applicable regulations.

Certified e-stewards and R3 (reduce-reuse-recycle) personnel collaborate with LG to implement this program, which is offered free in most US states for both businesses and consumers.

E-waste has emerged as a significant concern due to continuous technological advancements, contributing substantially to greenhouse gas emissions.

As part of its broader sustainability strategy, LG Electronics aims to achieve a 95% waste recycling rate at production sites by 2030.

This involves reducing, separating, and enhancing the sorting of business site waste to establish a responsible resource recycling program for producers.

In a bid to conserve resources, LG plans to expand the use of recycled plastics in raw materials across 19 product categories.

The company’s target is to incorporate a cumulative 600,000 tonnes of recycled plastics into its products by the year 2030.

In 2023, LG Electronics’ chemical division entered into a memorandum of understanding with CJ Logistics to advance plastic resource recycling and foster a circular economy.

In a separate sustainability initiative, LG Electronics has inaugurated its inaugural electric vehicle (EV) charging station factory in the United States.

Located in Forth Worth, Texas, the facility spans 100,000 square feet and is expected to produce approximately 12,000 chargers annually.

Initially focusing on level two chargers—compatible with 240-volt circuits commonly used for home charging—the plant plans to introduce level three DC chargers later in the year.

The level three chargers, designed for fast charging up to 175kw through CCS1 and NACS connectors, will feature a large outdoor LCD touchscreen display catering to various owners and use cases.

This strategic move aligns with LG Electronics’ aspirations to capture a share in the rapidly growing EV charging market.

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