Samsung has announced its plans for recycling, and refurbishing, the millions of recalled Note 7 devices. Following pressure from environmental groups that culminated with a on-site protester at the company’s Mobile World Congress press event, the company has established three principles to ensure that Galaxy Note 7 devices are recycled and processed in an environmentally-friendly manner.
First, devices shall be considered to be used as refurbished phones or rental phones where applicable.
Second, salvageable components shall be detached for reuse.
Third, processes such as metals extraction shall be performed using environmentally friendly methods.
Regarding the Galaxy Note 7 devices as refurbished phones or rental phones, applicability is dependent upon consultations with regulatory authorities and carriers as well as due consideration of local demand. The markets and release dates will be determined accordingly.
Samsung will not be offering refurbished Galaxy Note 7 devices for rent or sale in the US.
Great news! Because of your action, Samsung will recycle MILLIONS of recalled Galaxy Note 7 phones. https://t.co/q1qFwbUIHM #SaveTheGalaxy pic.twitter.com/VABLsXvh2a
— Greenpeace USA (@greenpeaceusa) March 27, 2017
For remaining Galaxy Note 7 devices, components such as semiconductors and camera modules shall be detached by companies specializing in such services and used for test sample production purposes.
Finally, for left over component recycling, Samsung shall first extract precious metals, such as copper, nickel, gold and silver by utilizing eco-friendly companies specializing in such processes.
Samsung also plans to join the EU’s R&D and test efforts to develop new eco-friendly processing methods.
