Samsung gets rid of plastic packaging for phones, tablets and TVs

The world's largest smartphone maker begins to ditch plastic packaging commonly used to wrap and protect electronic devices and appliances.

From the first half of this year, Samsung phones, tablets and portable devices will be packed in paper, pulp and bio-based or recycled plastic, the company said in a statement on Sunday. It will also change the design of the phone charger, replace the smooth exterior with a matte surface and screen protector film.

A spokesman from the company said that the reduction of disposable plastic in Samsung's packaging will evolve "gradually", adding that there is no timetable for phasing out completely.

Samsung sold about 291[ads1] million smartphones last year, according to data from the market research firm IDC. Amazon sells millions of other consumer products.

The plastic bags used To protect the surface of Samsung's large appliances – washing machines, refrigerators, TVs and air conditioners – are replaced by bags made of recycled material and bioplastic, made of non-fossil fuel materials, such as starch or sugar tube.

Samsung still uses a lot of plastic material to make the electronic devices and devices it sells.

The company consumed nearly 590,000 tons of plastic in 2017, according to the latest sustainability report. Recycled plastic accounted for just over 6% of Samsung's total plastic consumption.

Some top brands are experimenting with another approach to the plastic packaging problem. Consumer giants including Procter & Gamble ( PG ) and Nestlé ( NSRGY ) project called Loop, which aims to re-use containers for popular products such as Tide detergent and Häagen-Dazs ice cream as an alternative to recycling.