Strengthening Recycling System Utilizing Wastewater Treatment
Jang Deok-hyun "ESG Determines Corporate Sustainability"
Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced on the 5th that all its domestic and overseas business sites have obtained the highest grade of the global environmental certification 'Zero Waste To Landfill (ZWTL)' platinum level.
Zero Waste To Landfill is a global environmental certification awarded by the global evaluation agency UL Solutions. Depending on the resource recycling rate of waste generated at the business site, platinum (100~99.5%), gold (99.4~94.5%), and silver (94.4~89.5%) grades are given.
Jang Deok-hyun, President of Samsung Electro-Mechanics, said, "ESG management determines the sustainability of a company," and added, "We will create sustainable value together with the global environment, local communities, and employees, and become an honest company trusted in the global market."
As global interest in climate change increases, major global companies are also increasing requests for environmental management such as recycling certification from parts suppliers. Last year, Samsung Electro-Mechanics achieved a resource circulation rate of over 99.5% at its domestic Suwon, Sejong, and Busan sites, as well as its Tianjin site in China, earning platinum certification. This year, the company additionally obtained platinum grades at its sites in Gaoxin, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines, achieving the highest grade at all domestic and overseas business sites.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics established customized recycling policies for each business site and made various efforts to increase the recycling rate of waste resources. Notably, waste alkali and waste acid were recycled as pH adjusters and coagulants in wastewater treatment plants, and wastewater treatment facilities were improved and high-efficiency dehydration equipment was introduced to recover copper contained in wastewater sludge. Through this, about 150 tons of wastewater sludge are recycled monthly.
In addition, the company thoroughly monitored the discharge and treatment processes of construction and household waste, discovered various recyclable resources such as rebar, glass, wood, vinyl, and cardboard boxes, and utilized them as recycled raw materials. Samsung Electro-Mechanics recycled some of the waste PET film generated during the production process of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) to manufacture work uniforms. Various in-house policies have been implemented, such as changing plastic packaging containers and PET beverages in employee cafeterias to paper materials and aluminum canned beverages.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics is striving for ESG management by selecting the 3Ps?efforts for the environment (Planet), pursuit of employee happiness (People), and sustainable growth (Progress)?as ESG management keywords to practice the ESG mission called 'Sustainable Challenges for a Better Planet & Life.'
Samsung Electro-Mechanics was the first in Korea to be included in the 'DJSI World Index' for 15 consecutive years and was the first in the industry to receive the Carbon Trust's 'Carbon Footprint' certification. It has also been included in the FTSE4Good Index for 14 consecutive years.
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