Samsung announced a big new plan today. This plan uses blockchain technology to fight electronic waste around the world. E-waste is old phones, TVs, and appliances people throw away. Too much e-waste harms the planet.
(Samsung’s Plan for Global E-Waste Reduction Using Blockchain)
The company will track old Samsung products using blockchain. Blockchain is a secure digital record system. It creates a permanent record for each device. This record follows the device from sale to final recycling. Samsung wants to know exactly where discarded products end up.
This tracking system helps ensure proper recycling. It stops old electronics from going to landfills illegally. Landfills are bad for the environment. Recycling recovers valuable materials like metals and plastics. Reusing these materials saves resources. It also reduces pollution from mining new materials.
Samsung’s system gives each device a unique digital ID. This ID logs every step in the recycling process. Repair shops and recyclers update the blockchain record. Everyone involved can see the device’s status. This makes the whole recycling chain transparent. Samsung believes this will boost recycling rates significantly.
A company spokesperson explained the goal. “We see too many electronics improperly disposed of. This new system makes recycling easier to manage. It holds everyone accountable. We aim to recover more materials responsibly. This benefits both people and the planet.”
(Samsung’s Plan for Global E-Waste Reduction Using Blockchain)
The blockchain program starts later this year. It will first track specific product lines like phones and tablets. Samsung plans to expand it to more devices over time. The company is working with recycling partners globally. These partners will integrate the blockchain tracking into their operations. Samsung hopes other electronics makers will adopt similar systems. Reducing global e-waste requires industry-wide effort.