The company started highlighting the use of recycled materials in its products with the Galaxy S22 series in 2022. Since then, it has taken out some time during every Unpacked event to talk more about its sustainability goals and how it intends to achieve them.

Galaxy S24 series is first to feature recycled rare earth elements

Samsung is aiming to achieve net zero carbon emissions for its device business in the coming years. To that end, the company is overhauling its entire process from the development and production of devices to their usage and recycling. It's also going to use more recycled materials, including aluminum and glass, as well as more types of recycled plastics in its products.

The Galaxy S24 series also marks the beginning of a new era of Samsung's sustainability efforts. It's the first Galaxy flagship to feature recycled cobalt and rare earth elements. The company has pointed out that the batteries of the Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra utilize a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt. Samsung is also using 100% recycled rate earth elements in the speakers.

That's in addition to the minimum of 10% pre-consumer recycled TPU used in the side key and volume key. This plastic is a byproduct of shoe production that's been recycled for use in these keys. The top and bottom speaker module of the new flagship lineup also features a minimum of 40% recycled steel. Samsung is continuing with its mission to eliminate single-use plastics from its product packaging. The box for all Galaxy S24 models is made from 100% recycled paper materials.

Ensuring that customers hold on to their phones for longer is also a key sustainability goal. Samsung is now supporting that by committing to provide 7 years of Android OS upgrades and 7 years of security upgrades for new devices, starting with the Galaxy S24 series.

These are major sustainability initiatives from Samsung, but the job's far from done. The company says that it's committed to incorporating recycled materials into every module of every mobile product by 2030, a step that will go a long way in reducing e-waste.