LG Electronics said on May 18 it will run its 'Battery Turn' resource-circulation campaign to collect used vacuum cleaner batteries and reproduce them as rare metals. The campaign, backed by the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy and conducted jointly with the Korea Environment Corporation and E-Circular Governance, has continued annually since it began in 2022. It offers customers who return used batteries discounts on purchases of new batteries.

This year, it raised the discount to 40,000 won from 30,000 won last year. Customers can visit LG Electronics service centres nationwide and return used vacuum cleaner batteries, regardless of the manufacturer, to receive the discount when buying a new battery for a cordless stick vacuum cleaner. Customers who find it difficult to visit a service centre can apply on the online brand shop (LGE.COM) and return the used battery at a nearby collection box for used home appliances to receive a 25,000 won discount. Locations of the collection boxes can be checked on the 'Resource Circulation Practice Platform.'

The collected used batteries are dismantled and reproduced into rare metals such as nickel, cobalt, lithium and manganese. From 2022 through last year, cumulative participants totalled about 170,000 customers. The company collected about 280,000 used batteries weighing about 128 tonnes, and the rare metals extracted from them exceed 11 tonnes.

Part of the funds raised through the campaign is used to support child welfare facilities. It is a structure that links resource-circulation activities with social contribution. LG Electronics was selected for a third straight year in the 'Top 1%' of S&P Global's Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) this year. It has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) World Index for 14 consecutive years and received an 'AA' rating in MSCI's ESG assessment.

Son Chang-woo (손창우), head of LG Electronics' Living Solution Business Division, said, "As a company leading the industry, we will continue responsible management that goes beyond providing customers with the best product experience and builds a circular economy for the environment and society."