LG Electronics has unveiled a series of new circular economy initiatives aimed at reducing electronic waste and carbon emissions, including a significant expansion of refrigerant recovery and the launch of a pilot refurbished appliance programme.

The company has joined a government-backed circular economy partnership alongside 15 other South Korean companies to strengthen resource recycling, promote product reuse and improve waste reduction across multiple industries.

As part of the initiative, LG plans to increase the annual recovery of refrigerants from discarded household appliances to 81 tonnes by 2030—more than seven times the volume recovered in 2024. The reclaimed refrigerants will be purified and reused in the production of new appliances and after-sales service operations, a move the company estimates could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 150,000 tonnes, equivalent to the annual emissions of around 30,000 passenger vehicles.

LG is also entering the refurbished appliance market through a pilot programme focused initially on small businesses. The company aims to standardize every stage of the refurbishment process—from product collection and diagnostics to repair, testing and certification—with refurbished appliances meeting the same quality, safety and performance standards as new products.

Alongside these initiatives, LG continues to expand its broader sustainability efforts, including battery collection programmes for vacuum cleaners and the increased use of recycled and lightweight materials across its product portfolio.

The announcement highlights the growing role of manufacturers in embracing circular business models, as OEMs increasingly invest in refurbishment, repair and resource recovery to extend product lifecycles and reduce their environmental footprint.