Multinational electronics company LG Electronics has committed to the Consumer Technology Circularity Initiative (CTCI), a voluntary industry programme.

The CTCI aims to highlight industry innovations across the lifecycle of consumer technology products that reduce waste and climate impact, promote re-use and recycling and therefore result in less disposal of consumer electronics, also known as e-waste.

LG Electronics’ packaging

LG Electronics' products include televisions, home theatre systems, refrigerators, washing machines, computer monitors, wearable devices, solar modules and smart appliances.

The company has developed cushioning materials to package them containing 50% waste polystyrene with recycled vinyl.

Its packaging take-back programme is tailored for specific areas of the globe and the regulations applicable in each. Certified e-stewards and R3 [reduce-re-use-recycle] personnel are contracted with the company to implement the programme, which is free in most US states for businesses and consumers.

LG’s e-waste recycling strategy

E-waste has become a growing concern as technology continues to evolve, contributing heavily to greenhouse gas emissions.

As part of its broader sustainability strategy, LG Electronics is aiming to achieve a 95% waste recycling rate at production sites by 2030. This is alongside reducing, separating and strengthening the sorting of business site waste to operate a responsible resource recycling programme for producers.

Resources will be saved by expanding the recycled plastics used in raw materials in 19 product categories. The company’s target is to use a cumulative 600,000 tons of recycled plastics in its products by 2030.

In 2023, the company’s chemical division signed a memorandum of understanding with CJ Logistics for recycling plastic resources and constructing a circular economy.