October 01, 2008 03:24 PM Eastern Time 

SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT^SM Launches in 174 Sites Across 50 States

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Samsung Electronics America, Inc., a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, today launched SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT^SM, its commitment to the take-back and recycling (TB&R) of Samsung consumer electronics across all of its product lines. Beginning today, consumers can bring their Samsung-branded consumer electronics sold in the United States to 174 fixed drop-off locations across all 50 states for recycling for no fee. The program will also accept non-Samsung-branded consumer electronics for a nominal fee paid directly to the recycler upon delivery of the e-waste. Home appliances are currently being taken back in a growing number of locations.

SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT was announced on September 3, 2008. Today, Samsung unveiled additional information on this program at www.samsung.com/recyclingdirect. Consumers who visit the site can learn about the program, find recycling collection sites in all 50 states, and read about upcoming recycling drives to be held in many locations throughout the U.S. In addition, Samsung hosted recycling events for thousands of its employees at seven of its campuses in the United States, including Ridgefield Park, NJ; Mt. Arlington, NJ; Rancho Dominquez, CA; Richardson, TX; Austin, TX; San Diego, CA; and San Jose, CA.

“We invited our employees to participate in the launch of SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT by dropping off their consumer electronics at work, where we have collaborated with our respected recycling partners to accept retired electronics,” said DJ Oh, President and CEO, Samsung Electronics America. “Thousands of Samsung employees across the country demonstrated their shared commitment to the environment by recycling consumer electronics products, including mobile phones, televisions, cameras, VCRs, computers and monitors. We are truly inspired by this level of receptivity and participation.”

As of today, Samsung has collected over 1.7 million pounds of consumer electronics through existing TB&R programs under Samsung’s control in certain states and its current 50-state initiatives for the TB&R of toner cartridges, mobile phones and office equipment. Today’s SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT kick-off expands the scope of products that are now being collected in all 50 states and the convenience for consumers to responsibly recycle their consumer electronics. The program got off to a fast start as Samsung employees added their consumer electronics to the SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT total that will be processed and recycled responsibly by Samsung’s leading recycling partners. These partners are obligated under the program not to incinerate, send to solid waste landfill, or export toxic waste (defined in a manner consistent with the commonly accepted definition of hazardous electronic waste) to developing countries. Details about our standards for responsible recycling are available at www.samsung.com/recyclingdirect.

On the website consumers can also find information regarding SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT including the ability to search by zip code to find a detailed map and list of fixed drop-off locations in their area, as well as information on future recycling drives sponsored by Samsung, its retail and business partners, and its respected recyclers. In addition, the SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT web site will serve as an ongoing reporting tool to showcase the results of this program.

“On September 3^rd, 2008 Samsung set a goal of securing at least one SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT location in each state by today’s launch. I am proud of Samsung’s progress in exceeding that goal and developing a 174 permanent site network, which we believe sets an industry precedent in making it easy and convenient for consumers to recycle their consumer electronics,” said Steven Cook, senior vice president and chief strategic marketing officer, Samsung Electronics America. “We are committed to providing a public record of our environmental progress, and are confident that we can raise the standards of consumer electronics recycling by working with an interdisciplinary Samsung team and a highly-qualified network of recycling partners, all of whom are governed by stringent standards & guidelines that ensure accountability, transparency and responsibility at every step along the way.”

SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT provides four convenient ways for consumers to get involved:

1. Fixed Drop-off Locations: SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT includes 174 static locations for participants to drop off consumer electronics in all 50 states. These drop-off locations are maintained by our partners and include a growing number of sites that will also accept home appliances. A list of fixed collection points can be found at: Locations.

2. Samsung- Sponsored Events: SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT sponsors recycling events in all 50 states. A list of Samsung-sponsored take-back and recycling events can be found at www.samsung.com/recyclingdirect.

3. Samsung Drives with Retail and Business Partners: SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT participates in consumer electronics recycling drives sponsored by Samsung with our retail partners and other business partners across the country. A regularly updated list of special retail and partner recycling drives can be found at www.samsung.com/recyclingdirect.

4. Non-Samsung-Sponsored Events: Consumers can recycle their Samsung-branded consumer electronics at pre-scheduled recycling drives sponsored by Samsung's recycling partners. A regularly updated list of pre-scheduled recycling drives and non-Samsung sponsored events conducted by our recycling partners can be found at www.samsung.com/recyclingdirect.

“Samsung is proud of our history in providing innovative consumer electronics complemented by corporate initiatives designed to protect and preserve our natural resources. SAMSUNG RECYCLING DIRECT is further evidence of our values and we are confident that it will serve as a catalyst that enables convenient, efficient and increased recycling of consumer electronics across the country,” concluded Mr. Oh.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), based in Ridgefield Park, NJ, is a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (SEC). SEA markets a broad range of award-winning consumer electronics, information systems, and home appliance products, as well as oversees all of Samsung’s North American operations including Samsung Telecommunications America, LP, Samsung Semiconductor Inc., Samsung Electronics Canada, Inc. and Samsung Electronics Mexico, Inc. As a result of its commitment to innovation and unique design, SEA was ranked #6 in the Electronics Industry segment in Fortune Magazine’s “Most Admired Companies 2008,” and named as one of Fast Company’s “Fast 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2008.” Among popular BusinessWeek rankings, SEC ranked #26 in the publication’s “Most Innovative Companies of 2008” and #21 in the “100 Best Global Brands” for 2007. SEC is also a top patent holder, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2007. Please visit www.samsung.com or call 1(800) SAMSUNG for more information.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US$103.4 billion. Employing approximately 150,000 people in 134 offices in 62 countries, the company consists of four main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, and Telecommunication Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.