Sony’s New BRAVIA TVs Tackle E-Waste With Recycled Plastics

In an era where sustainability is becoming as crucial as performance in consumer electronics, Sony has stepped up with a forward-thinking initiative aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of its televisions. Under its global environmental program, Road to Zero, the company is pioneering new material recycling techniques and energy-saving technologies, setting a new standard for eco-friendly home entertainment.

At the heart of this effort is Sony’s proprietary SORPLAS (Sustainable Oriented Recycled Plastic) technology, now being integrated into the production of its latest BRAVIA TVs. This innovative material is not just another recycled plastic—it’s a high-quality, durable, and versatile substance crafted from used plastics, including those from old TV sets. The move is part of Sony’s broader strategy to gradually eliminate the environmental impact of its operations and products over their entire life cycle.

From Old TVs to New Screens

Sony’s new approach, dubbed “Material-to-Material Recycling,” breathes new life into discarded televisions. Instead of downcycling or disposing of old plastics, the company’s engineers have devised a system to recover and repurpose these materials into high-grade components for new TVs. The first model to showcase this advancement will be the 2025 BRAVIA 8, a 65-inch 4K OLED television.

One of the main challenges the team faced was the mixed-material nature of old TV housings, which historically made recycling difficult. Most rear covers are composed of various plastic types that don’t easily combine during reprocessing. To overcome this, Sony’s BRAVIA division collaborated closely with the Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation, the developer behind SORPLAS. Together, they refined sorting and blending techniques, allowing plastics from different manufacturers to be processed without sacrificing quality or performance.

The result is a sophisticated material that meets Sony’s rigorous standards for durability, appearance, and longevity—demonstrating that sustainability doesn’t have to mean compromise.

A Closed-Loop Future

Sony isn’t stopping there. The company has outlined its ambition to create a fully closed-loop recycling system in the years ahead. In this model, products reaching the end of their life cycles would be systematically returned to the supply chain, serving as raw materials for future devices.

This initiative aligns with Sony’s commitment to achieving zero environmental footprint across its entire value chain by 2050. From product development to packaging, logistics, and manufacturing, the company is weaving sustainability into every aspect of its operations.

Smarter Energy Management

Environmental responsibility doesn’t end with materials. Sony’s latest BRAVIA TVs are equipped with enhanced energy-saving features to reduce operational impact as well. A newly introduced Eco Dashboard provides users with a simple, centralized interface to manage their TV’s power consumption settings. By activating eco modes, consumers can cut energy usage by up to 38% compared to the default settings.

Additionally, an automatic ambient light sensor dynamically adjusts screen brightness based on room lighting conditions, ensuring a comfortable viewing experience while minimizing unnecessary power draw.

Beyond the Living Room

Sony is also working to optimize its packaging and shipping processes, reduce single-use plastics, and increase its reliance on renewable energy sources. These improvements contribute to the company’s long-term strategy of integrating environmental consciousness without sacrificing the premium picture quality and performance BRAVIA TVs are known for.

By embedding sustainable practices into its core product lines, Sony reinforces its belief that great entertainment and eco-responsibility can go hand in hand, offering consumers high-end technology that respects the planet.