Samsung Launches U.S. Recycling Program

Another consumer electronics manufacturer is getting on the e-waste bandwagon: this time it’s South Korean giant Samsung, which has just announced Samsung Recycling Direct, a program that will enable consumers in all 50 states to recycle Samsung-branded consumer electronics devices like televisions, monitors, DVD players, home theater systems, cameras, camcorders, printers, peripherals—essentially, all Samsung-branded consumer electronics. The exception will be home appliances, which can’t be accepted at al the drop-off points, although a growing number will be accepting them. Recycling for Samsung-branded electronics will be free; consumers can also drop off non-Samsung electronics for recycling and safe disposal for a nominal fee. The program will include a number of collection sites, including permanent drop-off centers in all 50 U.S. states.

“Since the 1996 launch of our global Green Management Initiative, Samsung Electronics Company has been a staunch advocate of preserving our environment and greening the consumer electronics industry,” said Samsung Electronics America CEO and president DJ Oh, in a statement. “As a global enterprise, we have worked diligently to put our environmental responsibility philosophy into practice across our worldwide operations, among our suppliers and partners, and within our local communities.”

Samsung is working directly with recycling companies rather than intermediaries, and claims it is only working with operations that meet Samsung’s criteria and are a good match with its environmental philosophy: Samsung says it is utilizing recyclers that do not incinerate, landfill, or export toxic waste to developing economies, and that it will be tracking and monitoring all the recycled electronics to ensure they’re disposed of properly. The company plans to publish the results of the program on its Web site.

Samsung Recycling Direct is due to launch October 1, 2008.

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