LG Electronics announced on Sept. 9 that it aims to use almost 600,000 tons of recycled plastic by 2030 in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain.
The goal is a part of LG’s larger initiative to create a take-back ecosystem for electronic waste and increase the use of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials in its consumer electronics and home appliance products, a company spokesman said.
In 2020, LG utilized approximately 20,000 tons of recycled plastic in its products which it plans to increase more than 10fold by 2025. While recycled plastic is currently used inside LG TVs, PC monitors, speakers, washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners, LG will expand the use of recycled plastic to the exterior of its products as well.
The electronics maker is also increasing the target amount of take-back electronic waste from its 2006 figure of 4.5 million tons to over 8 million tons by 2030 with 3.07 million tons having been collected by the end of 2020.
LG is also implementing initiatives to take back and recycle electronic waste in 52 countries. In South Korea, LG Chilseo Recycling Center, which opened in 2001, not only takes back electronic waste but also manufactures new components from the recycled plastic and ships the parts to LG’s home appliance plant nearby for use in new products such as refrigerators.
LG is focusing its efforts on reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire product life cycle from production and transportation to use and disposal, the spokesman said.
