Samsung eliminates single-use plastics from mobile packaging ahead of 2025 target

SOUTH KOREA – Samsung Electronics says it has phased out single-use plastics from its mobile product packaging, replacing them with paper-based and recycled alternatives in line with its 2025 sustainability commitments under the Galaxy for the Planet initiative.

Launched in 2021, Galaxy for the Planet set out to incorporate recycled materials across all new mobile products by 2025.

Samsung now claims it has achieved that milestone, supported by data collected in Korea indicating that 16,399 tonnes of recycled packaging were distributed in 2024 alone.

The company has shifted to paper and recycled fibre materials in packaging, alongside increased use of recycled aluminium in product components such as cases.

The Galaxy S25 Series, released in 2025, is packaged in a box made entirely from recycled paper, underscoring the transition away from plastic inserts and wraps.

Samsung also cites efforts to downsize and lightweight packaging to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during transportation.

However, it acknowledges that some plastic wrapping or sealing labels may remain in certain markets due to local regulatory or logistical conditions, and that legacy packaging produced prior to the transition may still be circulating in the supply chain.

Beyond mobile devices, Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) division – covering computers, TVs, monitors and home appliances – is working to replace plastic and vinyl materials with recycled alternatives.

The company began transitioning its Solid State Drive (SSD) packaging from plastic to paper trays in 2020, extending the shift to portable and Heatsink SSDs in 2023 and 2.5-inch SSD products in 2024, with M.2 formats targeted for conversion by 2025.

In 2024, Samsung received ISO 14021-based recycled material certification from Intertek for recycled content in plastic trays used for component products. Its Portable SSD T7 Shield case, incorporating recycled aluminium, was certified by TUV.

For TVs and displays, packaging includes expanded polystyrene cushions containing 10% recycled content, and the company has removed metal staples from outer cartons to improve recyclability.

Certain TV, audio and appliance packaging is also designed for reuse, for example as pet furniture or storage items.

Samsung’s automated Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) system for semiconductor products now covers packaging processes, with emissions calculated using life cycle assessment databases.

The development aligns with wider industry efforts. Google previously released a Plastic Free Packaging Design Guide to help electronics manufacturers eliminate mixed-material packaging, while Pegasus Materials recently introduced biobased materials targeting electronics and data centre applications.

Collectively, these initiatives signal a broader shift across consumer electronics toward fibre-based, recyclable and lower-carbon packaging systems.

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