Information about the new Samsung device: the Galaxy S22 has been being leaked and circulating the internet recently. However, one of the leaks seems to be very interesting. The new smartphone will make use of a “new material” one reportedly made from plastic in recycled fishing nets.
Samsung claims that they will be incorporating reused ocean bound plastics in all their products, and that the Galaxy S22 is just the first step. The one thing that is not entirely clear is how the recycled plastics will be incorporated into the device.
There are 640,000 tons of fishing nets thrown into the ocean every year; Samsung says that “Collecting and repurposing these nets are vital steps in keeping our oceans clean.” This announcement seems to be good news and a step in the right direction, however, with how the reused plastic will be incorporated into the device still unknown, the extent of the environmental benefits is uncertain.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/7/22921361/galaxy-s22-plastic-recycled-fishing-nets
This post really intrigued me as I find this very interesting. In today’s world ocean pollution is a huge issue so I can see why Samsung would want to incorporate using reused plastic into their brand. The brand is using a cause marketing approach where their mission will go beyond profit because now they are working towards saving the sea animals and helping eliminate pollution. I am curious to see how Samsung will incorporate the plastic into the new phone models. If I has to guess I would assume it would be embedded inside the phone but unsure how that could be beneficial for the phone itself. I wonder if other technology companies will follow Samsung and try this in their new products.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/7/22921361/galaxy-s22-plastic-recycled-fishing-nets
This is a really interesting use for recycled material, and I am interested to see how the plastics will be incorporated into the new model of the Samsung Galaxy. I would guess that it would be used for some of the internal components of the phone because the outsides are typically made of glass and other more durable materials. In whatever capacity the recycled ocean plastic is used, it will be a great move by Samsung for the environment and for their reputation. Sustainability and environmental consciousness are trending values right now, and they could add to the many sectors that use recycled plastics in their products. Some interesting items that currently are made in part with these plastics are athletic apparel, shoes, backpacks, and furniture. Specifically for clothing, the plastic can be spun like yarn and woven into athletic fabric without compromising its qualities (CaraGreen). I am a geography major, and one of the aspects of the discipline most applicable to others is this type of innovative sustainability. In order to both meet our needs as a society and protect the environment and its resources, creative solutions need to be sought out with both interests in mind. It is exciting to me that the familiar subject of plastic in the oceans and finding uses for this waste has surfaced in another course. It really shows the value of interdisciplinary learning and developing skills that will allow you to connect people and their fields to solve problems in the future.
Source: https://www.caragreen.com/the-top-10-products-made-out-of-recycled-ocean-plastic/
To hear that Samsung is planning to use recycled plastics in their new phone the Galaxy S22 is exciting. Global warming and climate change has been a major issue and topic within politics for years now. Scientists have predicted only about a decade left for Earth until climate change starts causing serious issues to humans. As climate change has become a more pressing issue major companies have taken the initiative to incorporate environmental ethics into their business. Companies have been more conscious of the way they manufacture, produce, and design items including using recyclable plastics. Samsung being able to take this major step forward in their company and the technology world will be a big advancement and I can’t way to see the benefits it has on our ocean.
Source: https://www.droid-life.com/2022/02/07/galaxy-s22-lineup-uses-old-fishing-nets-for-new-material-because-every-bit-helps/
Samsung’s new program is “repurposing these discarded fishing nets as part of its Galaxy for the Planet journey” (Adhikari). This is an intriguing idea, especially because there appear to be few to no cons. I feel as though more tech companies should be implementing technology such as this. If another tech giant like Apple was to incorporate recycled plastics in their products it could make a massive impact. However, how much of a difference will Samsung’s new material make? There is an absurd amount of plastics in the ocean, many of which cannot be recycled (such as single-use plastics, department store bags, bubble wrap, and more). If only the recyclable plastics are taken out of the ocean, then there’s still tons of plastic leftover. In the future, will it be possible to discover ways to reuse or break down these other plastics to use in technology or other materials?
Sources: https://www.plasticsforchange.org/blog/which-plastic-can-be-recycled
https://www.androidheadlines.com/2022/02/samsung-using-repurposed-discarded-fishing-nets-galaxy-s22.html