As part of LG’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon in less than a decade, LG offices all over the world are already actively engaged in initiatives toward the same goal. In Europe alone, many LG teams are working closely with like-minded local organizations to make a positive and lasting difference to the health of our planet.

As part of its sustainability and social responsibility strategy in Portugal, LG is working in partnership with the European Recycling Platform (ERP) to combat electronic waste, a 53.6 million metric ton global problem. A recent study conducted by LG in Portugal found that although two-thirds of residents recycled electrical equipment, many still kept old appliances and devices at home as emergency backup, preventing these products from getting a second life. So to encourage people to turn in their old electronics, LG Portugal, in conjunction with ERP Portugal and Startup Lisboa, hosted the e-Waste Open Innovation challenge, which challenged local companies, groups and clubs to come up with ideas to help tackle the problem of e-waste.

The winner of the contest, Trash4Goods, is a team of university students from Instituto Superior Técnico. The team cleverly gamified the collection of e-waste by creating an app-based system that rewards those who recycle electronics, kicking off a virtuous cycle that benefits everyone. Through initiatives like this, LG Portugal and its partners are helping to reshape attitudes towards the recycling of e-waste, paving the way to a cleaner, brighter environment.

In 2018, LG Spain launched the LG Smart Green project to contribute to the national reforestation effort. Today, its Smart Green movement is still very active, supporting environmental causes and most recently, demonstrating how LG’s advanced solar technology can fulfill all the energy requirements that a high-tech company such as CyG IT Sustainable Tech needs in Spain.

LG Spain partnered with CyG IT Sustainable Tech, a local company pioneering the use of AI and Big Data in the maintenance and repair of electrical devices, to create southern Europe’s first-ever carbon neutral tech lab. Using 115 highly-efficient LG NeON solar panels, the Seville-based company is now able to generate an average power energy of 33kW, eliminating 44 tons of CO₂ from the air each year for complete energy autonomy and contributing to carbon neutrality.

While electronics manufacturers have often been viewed as part of the problem rather than part of the solution, companies like LG are hoping to change that. And for its efforts to develop products and employ production processes that minimize damage to the environment, LG was awarded Platinum status by EcoVadis, an independent, globally-trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, putting LG in the top one percent of all companies in terms of sustainability initiatives.

In France, LG and L’Arbre Vert have joined forces to highlight the issue of fashion waste, a significant contributor to global pollution. L’Arbre Vert was the first French brand to offer an eco-certified, allergy-friendly laundry detergent and has been educating consumers about the benefits of using ecologically-sound products for the past 15 years. In LG, the company saw the perfect partner to amplify its message and assist consumers in their journey to a more sustainable lifestyle.

LG’s AI DD™ washing machines are better for users’ clothes, leveraging state-of-the-art AI and laundry technologies to reduce fabric damage by 18 percent. They’re also better for the planet, using less water and electricity. Combined with L’Arbre Vert’s natural detergents and fabric softeners, the company’s washers can keep garments looking good for a long time, lessening the need to purchase new items with the arrival of each new season.

“With L’Arbre Vert, we have found the ideal partner to provide consumers with an extra layer of laundry care,” said Romain Gras, marketing director at LG Electronics France. “We are committed to responding to the growing ecological concern of French households and helping them adopt healthy lifestyle habits.”

Through its actions and active collaboration with like-minded organizations worldwide, LG is doing everything it can to build a better tomorrow, because “Life’s Good” when we choose to make a difference.

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Since the initiation of the environmental movement in the 1960s, the fragility of our world has become a global topic, requiring united social action and even multinational companies to reconsider their strategies. That focus has also shifted in a more sustainable direction that puts nature conservation first, a change that can be seen in the attitude of today’s rapidly growing eco-conscious consumers.

In matters relating to conscious spending, there isn’t a more active group than Gen Z, with 89 percent of Gen Z-ers saying they prefer buying from brands that actively support social and environmental causes over those that do not. Society’s youngest consumers are now the ones informing the public on all things green, making this generation the leaders of real societal change.

On a governmental level, the EU introduced new Energy Labels on March 1, taking a stricter stance on products that wish to be labeled green. Such environmental labels are important because they provide insightful energy consumption and environmental data that today’s consumers expect before purchase. The new energy designation replaces the outdated system by providing manufacturers with added incentive to improve energy efficiency.

Photo Credit: European Commission

A washing machine’s spin efficiency could be crucial in determining the energy consumption of a dryer, since low spin performance increases running time and uses more energy. When it comes to noise level, although the difference between 72dB and 73dB may seem small, the new rules could have an appliance demoted an entire letter grade.¹

As part of its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, LG has converted all DUAL Inverter Heat Pump™ Dryers to use R290 refrigerant, which has a lower global warming potential (GWP) than R134a refrigerant.² As a result, LG’s DUAL Inverter Heat Pump Dryer earned the Green Product Mark from TÜV Rheinland for meeting the requirements of pollution prevention, sustainable use of resources and climate change mitigation.³

And in an effort to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, LG makes every effort to make products lighter, using fewer resources during the production process. LG is developing and supplying energy-efficient products that carry the Energy Star label and are certified by the European Commission for contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and helping to modify usage behavior for a greener lifestyle.

For example, the Inverter Linear Compressor™ found in LG’s refrigerators efficiently keep food fresh longer and noise levels lower compared to LG’s conventional models.⁴ LG’s world-class inverter technology regulates the speed and revolution of motors and compressors depending on the situation to optimize operation. The unique linear motion of the compressor enables LG refrigerators to reach target temperatures quickly while reducing friction points for heightened durability and less noise.

For LG washers with LG Inverter DirectDrive™ technology, the motor is directly connected to the drum without the use of a belt or pulley, allowing for durability and energy efficiency while reducing noise compared to models without DirectDrive. LG is so confident of the durability of its core technologies that all inverter components are backed with a 10-year warranty.

Photo Credit: Corporate Knights

LG’s contributions for a greener world have been recognized both globally and locally. LG was ranked the 13^th most sustainable global corporation by Corporate Knights and As You Sow’s annual 2021 Carbon Clean 200 list. In its home country, LG claimed This Year’s Green Product award from the non-profit civic group Korea Green Purchasing Network (KGPN) for the eleventh straight year and also took KPGN’s Award of Green Masterpiece (AGM), an accolade exclusively for businesses that have made a significant contribution to the conservation of the environment.

The damage inflicted on our planet and all the life on it is one of the greatest threats we face as a global community. Overcoming such a global problem is only possible with the support of all members of society. Through its products, LG will continue to set an example that responsible products and good business can go hand in hand.

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¹ The acoustic airborne noise emission class of a household washing machine is determined on the basis of acoustic airborne noise emission at spinning phase. A-grade is assigned to noise level below 73dB (https://t.ly/ZyGH).
² GWP for R290 is 3 versus 1,430 for R134a.
³ Tested by TÜV Rheinland in August 2020 with R290 applied to LG dryer models RC*0***V**.
⁴ Tested by VDE by comparing energy consumption between LG model GBB530NSCXE (LG Inverter Linear Compressor) and GBB530NSQWB (LG conventional reciprocating compressor). Energy consumption test based on ISO 15502 standard.

With millions of pounds of clothing ending up in U.S. landfills each year and COVID-19 hygiene concerns challenging donations, LG Electronics USA is helping take action with “Second Life” – a campaign to raise awareness of clothing waste and inspire consumers to take responsible action through fabric care, donations and upcycling.

A leader in laundry innovation, LG kicked off its efforts with a seven-city road tour running from April 25 – May 9 to collect used clothing and recycle 100 percent of items received. Plus, the brand is also encouraging clothing reuse by inviting attendees to exchange unwanted items in a clothing swap stocked with rare vintage finds from thrift chain Round Two.

While LG’s top-rated laundry appliances help millions of Americans take the very best care of their fabrics, styles change, tastes change, even sizes change – and most unwanted textiles end up in landfills. In fact, the average American generates 81 pounds (37 kg) of textile waste each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“As a leader when it comes to fabric care, LG is invested in how to care for your clothes throughout their lifecycle – from how you wash them to how you ultimately dispose of them,” said Peggy Ang, head of marketing at LG Electronics USA. “With Second Life, we’re aiming to help raise awareness and inspire consumers to care for what they wear by taking responsible action throughout the entire lifecycle of their clothes.”

To bring the tour one step closer to circularity, and to illustrate how to care for what you wear, LG is also raising awareness around upcycling and partnering with designer Nicole McLaughlin to upcycle leftover items from the clothing drive into a limited-edition capsule collection to be unveiled later this fall.

The LG Second Life Road Tour

As part of the Tour, LG is committing to collecting up to 10,000 pounds of clothing to be donated to local organizations to help support families in need of clean clothes. The company is creating a wash center fully equipped with ultra-capacity LG washers and dryers and LG Styler steam closets in Los Angeles to clean, sanitize and sort clothing donations before donating them to local beneficiaries. All unusable items will be upcycled so that 100 percent of collected items are given a “second life.”

LG Second Life is just getting started and has exciting activities planned to help raise awareness around clothing care and clothing waste, as well as tips and resources designed to inspire people to upcycle and recycle their once loved items. Learn more at www.LGSecondLife.com.

Do Good, Feel Good, Life’s Good

The Second Life campaign, along with LG’s commitment to carbon neutrality in all of its operations by 2030, are only some of the steps LG is taking toward its ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) philosophy to make the world a better place. With ENERGY STAR^® certified appliances and its expanding eco-friendly businesses such as electric vehicle (EV) components and solutions and renewable energy, LG is committed to doing its part.

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In many places around the world, daily life is now spent primarily within the safer confines of home. One of the byproducts of this new homebound lifestyle is that there is more time to contemplate important topics, such as what can we do to make the world a better place? When we consider how to ensure a good future for the planet and its inhabitants, sustainability is likely one of the first words that comes to mind. But what exactly is enough sustainability and how do we get there?

Sustainability is commonly used to refer to a broad range of activities and initiatives geared towards maintaining the health of the environment and promoting a lifestyle more in balance with nature. However, it is not something that can be achieved through focusing on any one area, or through the efforts of any one person. Sustainability requires everyone to play their part and reassess – and in many cases, change – the way they live, work and play.

As a leading consumer electronics manufacturer, LG has long been a proponent of doing right by the consumer and the planet, an approach that can clearly be seen in its latest home entertainment products, including its acclaimed OLED TVs. Sustainability is factored into every stage of LG OLED TV’s lifecycle, from product development to manufacturing and usage and even disposal.

The company’s next-generation TVs use panels that have received Eco-Product recognition from Swiss-based SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA, a respected provider of testing, inspection and certification services based in Geneva.¹ SGS found LG OLED panels to be particularly strong in key evaluation categories covering the lowering of indoor air pollutants, the reduction in the use of hazardous substances, and recyclability.

LG OLED’s “eco” credentials are largely the result of its unique, self-lit display technology, which also enables the pixel-level dimming so crucial to the TVs’ superior picture quality. As it does not require a backlighting structure, LG OLED uses fewer components (mostly made from plastics, one of the major causes of environmental problems) than LED-LCD TV and emits less indoor air pollutants.

Indoor air quality also can be a concern about any electronic devices because of the potential health issues that volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) released into the air may occur when heat is generated. Total VOC emissions from an LG OLED panel is less than 50 percent of a typical LCD TV panel and unlike some high-end LCD products, LG OLED TV panels do not use any components containing hazardous substances such as cadmium and indium phosphide.

The panels also offer excellent resource efficiency and a comparatively-high recycling rate, all of which speaks to LG’s consistent and wide-ranging efforts to increase sustainability at all points of its products’ journey.

Not only is LG OLED TV better for the environment and indoor air quality, but protects consumers’ eyes as well. With people spending more time in front of their TVs in the social distancing era, instances of eye strain and fatigue have been on the rise. In a survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Fight for Sight, more than a third of all respondents said that their eyesight had worsened in recent months.²

Where watching the TV is concerned, screen flickering and the emission of blue light are the main culprits for eye-related issues. Screen flickering is known to cause eye fatigue and headaches, and after prolonged exposure, even diminished vision, while blue light can lead to disruptions in sleep patterns, eye strain, dry eyes and feelings of exhaustion. With LG OLED, neither flickering nor blue light is a problem.

Thanks to their advanced OLED panels, LG OLED TVs have been found to be flicker-free and discomfort glare free by UL. They are also TÜV Rheinland Eyesafe^® certified for meeting low blue light requirements, emitting approximately 50 percent less blue light than similarly-sized premium LCD TV panels.

When it comes to immersive home entertainment experiences, sound quality is just as important as picture quality. LG OLED TVs are not the only “eco” products considering the planet and consumers. LG’s latest audio solutions that deliver dynamic, realistic sound, demonstrate the same focus on sustainability that can be seen in its next-gen TVs.

LG’s 2021 soundbars use recycled materials such as resin for the outer cases of many of the models while some models feature jersey fabric made from recycled PET bottles and have been certified as meeting the Global Recycled Standard.³ In fact, many of LG’s soundbars have received UL 2809 Environmental Claim Validation Procedure (ECVP) for Recycled Content, an assurance to consumers that these products are indeed as environmentally responsible as advertised.⁴

In another measure to reduce environmental impact and waste, LG has adopted earth-minded packaging for the entire lineup. Using mainly recycled molded pulp, and greatly reduced quantities of EPS foam and plastic, the packaging has earning Eco-Product certification from SGS.⁵ As such, the soundbars have been assessed by SGS to have minimal environmental impact, emitting less air pollutants, containing few hazardous substances and providing a high degree of recyclability. What’s more, the packaging is designed in an “L” shape so more soundbars can fit in a typical delivery truck, lowering CO₂ emissions.

For home entertainment products that take both consumers’ and the environment’s health into consideration, LG continues to lead the way with a commitment as unwavering as its resolve to deliver the most immersive home entertainment experience possible.

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¹ According to SGS Eco-Product certification ECO/18/CEBEC/00003, OLED TV panels are recognized as Eco-Product based on data showing they reduce the use of hazardous substances (Cd and InP free), reduce indoor (VOC) emissions during use phase and are excellent in resource and recycling efficiency.
² Online poll of 2,021 respondents conducted by YouGov on behalf of Fight for Sight in November 2020.
³ Models SP7Y, SP2W, G1.
⁴ Models SP11RA, SP9YA, SP8YA, SP7Y, SPD7Y, SP2W.
⁵ Models SP11RA, SP9YA, SP8YA, SP7Y.