Over 13,000 kg of electronic waste in Tonga was collected to be transported to Auckland and recycled, under the Swire Shipping’s Moana Taka Partnership Initiative, helped by Samsung New Zealand.

In 2024, Samsung New Zealand engaged Blue Orca to assess e-waste challenges in five Pacific Islands including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, and Timor-Leste.

The assessment revealed a lack of local recycling infrastructure, raising concerns about the environmental impact of unmanaged e-waste in the region.

“This initiative helps protect the environment and supports local communities by ensuring responsible recycling of electronic waste”, the Marketing Director of Samsung Electronics New Zealand, Shannon Watts said.

Samsung, Blue Orca, Echo along with local partner Sustainable Resources Management (SRM), collected and transported 13,863 kg of e-waste from Tonga to New Zealand to be recycled.

This resulted in the prevention of 81.99 kg of toxic metals from contaminating the soil and avoided 3,976 kg of greenhouse gas emissions.

She said that the lack of local recycling options in these islands and the severe environmental consequences shown in the assessment report pushed them to take action.

Currently, the improper management of e-waste including burrying electronics in fields and dumping into surrounding waters, leads to negative effects on many Tongans livelihoods.

This Pacific Islands recycling program supports Samsung New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to its global 'Everyday Sustainability Environmental Strategy', as part of the company’s efforts to contribute to tackle climate change.

Over the past two years, they, have successfully recycled more than 73 tonnes of e-waste through local collection drives in Auckland.

E-Waste Collection Breakdown:

• Total e-waste collected: 38,502 kg
• Greenhouse gas emissions avoided: 11,042 kg
• Toxic metals diverted from landfill: 228 kg

Fiji

• 4,328 kg of e-waste collected
• 1,241 kg of greenhouse gas emissions avoided
• 25.6 kg of toxic metals diverted from landfill

Tonga

• 13,863 kg of e-waste collected
• 3,976 kg of greenhouse gas emissions avoided
• 81.99 kg of toxic metals diverted from landfill

Samoa

• 12,911 kg of e-waste collected
• 3,702.8 kg of greenhouse gas emissions avoided
• 76.35 kg of toxic metals diverted from landfill

Cook Islands

• 7,400 kg of e-waste collected
• 2,122 kg of greenhouse gas emissions avoided
• 43.77 kg of toxic metals diverted from landfill