Achievements in Recycling Announced for Resource Circulation Day
Highest Certification Level in Domestic Manufacturing: 30 for DS, 8 for DX
Samsung Electronics has solidified its position as a global leader in resource circulation by receiving a cumulative total of 38 certifications for recyclable resources as of last month, the highest level in South Korea’s manufacturing industry. In addition, the company achieved a reduction of 6,859 tons of waste during the previous year, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency at its business sites.
On September 4, 2026, ahead of ‘Resource Circulation Day’ on the 6th, Samsung Electronics announced these achievements in resource circulation. The Recyclable Resource Certification system, introduced domestically in 2018, recognizes waste that is non-hazardous and economically viable as new raw materials without legal restrictions.
The Device Solutions (DS) division, which oversees Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor business, employs high-purity refining and material conversion technologies to reprocess waste from semiconductor manufacturing into high value-added resources. Notably, plastic trays used to transport semiconductor wafers are collected and reprocessed for use in the side keys and volume keys of the Galaxy S25 series. Defective wafers generated in the manufacturing process are used to extract silicon, which is then recycled as a raw material in aluminum alloys for aviation and construction. Palladium (Pd), a precious metal, is recovered from diamond discs used in wafer polishing processes and reused as a raw material for manufacturing printed circuit boards (PCBs). As a result, the DS division alone has obtained a cumulative 30 recyclable resource certifications as of last month.
From the left: wafer tray, wafer box extruded pellets, diamond disc. Samsung Electronics
The Device eXperience (DX) division, responsible for finished products such as laptops, home appliances, and mobile devices, identified 20 items targeted for recyclable resource certification through a 2024 consulting engagement with the Korea Environment Corporation. As of last month, 12 items (corresponding to eight certifications) have received approval, and the remaining eight items are targeted for certification by June of next year.
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In particular, the Gwangju plant obtained recyclable resource certification for refrigerator molding process residue in 2025, streamlining regulatory procedures for storage and transport and maximizing work efficiency. Additionally, polystyrene foam packaging left over after appliance installation is being collected and reprocessed for use in the ‘Bespoke AI WindFree Combo Gallery’ air conditioner and ‘Infinite AI Air Purifier’ internal materials. Waste glass generated during the manufacturing process is recycled into composite fiber materials for the outer washing tub of the ‘Bespoke AI Combo’ all-in-one washer-dryer. Such efforts continue to expand the development of new eco-friendly materials.
Residue generated from the molding process (left) and reused as in-house raw materials after external processing (right). Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics stated, “We will continue to identify recyclable items across business sites, utilize materials recovered from waste as raw materials or in manufacturing processes to build a circular resource supply chain, and strengthen practices for resource circulation going forward.”
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