The Galaxy Note 7 saga appears to be nearing an end as Samsung Electronics has unveiled plans to refurbish and sell some of devices that were recalled for safety reasons.
Last October, the company stopped production of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphones after the devices were reported to have caught fire due to overheating.
The South Korean firm has established three principles to make sure that Galaxy Note 7 devices are recycled and processed in an environmentally-friendly manner.
Devices will initially be considered for use as refurbished phones or rental phones where applicable.
Salvageable components will then be detached for reuse and metals will be extracted using environmentally friendly methods.
Samsung said in a statement, “Regarding the Galaxy Note 7 devices as refurbished phones or rental phones, applicability is dependent upon consultations with regulatory authorities and carriers as well as due consideration of local demand. The markets and release dates will be determined accordingly.”
For Note 7 units intended for recycling, Samsung said it will remove components like semiconductors and camera modules, and use them for testing of other products.
Read more: Batteries to blame for exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones
Precious metals such as copper, nickel, gold and silver will be extracted from the phones in an environmentally responsible manner, the company said.
Greenpeace welcomed the Samsung’s move, saying it came after nearly five months of campaigning and global protests addressing the environmental impact of the recall. 
Greenpeace East Asia global senior campaigner Jude Lee said: “People around the world signed petitions, emailed Samsung’s CEO, demonstrated in cities around the world, and finally Samsung has listened.
“This is major win for everyone that took action, and a step towards shifting the way we produce and dispose of electronics.”
Samsung said it will also join a new research undertaken by the European Union intended at developing a new environmentally friendly technology to recycle smartphones.
