Samsung, EPA Launch Green Initiatives, Programs

In an effort to demonstrate the company’s energy-saving and environmental commitment, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. reportedly has continued its partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

 

In a press release, Samsung (News - Alert) officials said that the company is continuing to work with the Plug-In To eCycling program. This program is a partnership between the U.S. EPA and various consumer electronics manufacturers, retailers and wireless carriers. The program encourages consumers to donate or safely recycle their used electronics and replace them with new environmentally-friendly models.

 

Recently, at International Consumer Electronics Show 2010, Samsung launched its eco-design and energy efficient products including LED TVs, 30' free-standing induction ranges along with OLED digital photo frames.

 

In addition, Samsung also took the EPA pledge - “Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR (News - Alert).” In order to promote this pledge, the company had conducted a sweepstakes for those who bought the company’s products and took the EPA pledge, either online or signed the document. Later, the company will select four consumers who took the pledge and will award each of them with ENERGY STAR qualified 40 inch LED TV.

 

The EPA initiated ENERGY STAR in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency.

 

“We appreciate Samsung's enthusiastic support of our Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR campaign,” Jill Vohr, marketing manager for the EPA, said. “By taking the ENERGY STAR Pledge, each of us can sign up to take action against global warming by using energy more efficiently.”

 

In addition, Samsung’s EcoManagement 2013 initiatives have determined a set of goals to make the company greener. The company devoted nearly $4.3 million for sustainable R&D via the program that was launched in July 2009.

 

Moreover, Samsung’s Recycling Direct program has already recycled more than 16 million lbs and also added 62 new fixed drop-off locations lately through Goodwill sites. This has bought the total to more than 260 places where consumers can easily recycle their electronics.

 

Furthermore, the company also released a green consumer survey whose results indicated that 45 percent of respondents liked to purchase consumer electronics from a company that manufactured energy efficient products. The survey results also showed that 74 percent of consumers felt that it is their duty to save the planet for future generations, while 60 percent wanted to save money as a being to be more environmentally conscious.

 

“The sentiments measured in Samsung’s green survey reflect an American public increasingly concerned with environmental issues but also cost-conscious and seeking utility savings in a still uncertain economy,” Kris Narayanan, director of strategic marketing for Samsung’s North American headquarters, said. “At Samsung we understand those values and are creating products and refining our own processes to synch with consumers who are outwardly concerned about the planet but are still inwardly concerned about their own lifestyles.”