With its 2021 line of 4K and 8K QLED TVs, Samsung is launching a new Eco remote control that, according to the company, “will reduce tons of plastic waste per year” and increase its efforts to reduce its environmental impact.
Seen from the front, the Eco Remote Control looks like any of Samsung’s TV clickers in recent years. But flip it over and you’ll see a long panel of solar cells that can charge the internal battery. The remote control is made of 31 grams of plastic, and Samsung says that 28% of it comes “from recycled polyethylene terephthalate”.
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Chris Welch / The Verge photo
Samsung estimates that you can use Eco Remote Control for two years before your battery runs out and needs to be fully recharged. Overall, the internal rechargeable battery is designed to last about seven years, or the average life cycle for a single TV. This will certainly prevent you from buying AAA batteries over the years, and the reduction in plastic waste is also noticeable.
There is a USB-C port on the bottom if you need to charge the remote more quickly for any reason.
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Image: Samsung
Samsung is also continuing its eco-friendly packaging efforts in 2021. “By eliminating oil-based paint and expanding eco-friendly packaging for all Lifestyle and QLED TV models, Samsung offers a sustainable solution that can extend the cycle up to 200,000 tons of boxes per year and turn into home decor pieces. ”After your TV is unpacked, you can scan a QR code on its box for instructions on how to turn it into something you could want to keep close by. Samsung partnered with Dezeen to a competition that encouraged people to find smart ways to redirect cardboard boxes.
Correction: The article originally stated that the remote had a two-year shelf life, due to Samsung’s marketing materials saying it “can be used for up to two years”. The company clarified that, in fact, the internal battery can last up to seven years to align with the average life cycle of a TV.