For years, conversations around televisions focused almost entirely on picture quality, screen size, and smart features. Consumers compared brightness levels, gaming performance, streaming apps, and audio capabilities. But globally, sustainability is steadily becoming part of the discussion. And that shift is beginning to matter more in Kenya, too.
As electricity costs continue to influence household purchasing decisions and conversations around environmental responsibility grow, buyers are paying closer attention to how products are made, how much energy they consume, and how long they remain usable.
This changing mindset helps explain why manufacturers are increasingly highlighting environmental certifications alongside performance features. For LG, sustainability has now become a central part of its TV strategy.
LG’s 2026 TV lineup recently received multiple internationally recognised eco-certifications covering carbon reduction, material efficiency, recyclability, and energy performance. While certifications may sound technical at first, they reflect a broader change within consumer electronics globally where TVs are no longer evaluated only on entertainment value, but also on environmental impact across their entire lifecycle.
LG’s OLED TVs received Reducing CO2 and Measured CO2 certifications from the Carbon Trust for the sixth consecutive year. The Carbon Trust is an independent climate consultancy that evaluates emissions generated throughout a product’s lifecycle, including manufacturing, transportation, usage, and end-of-life disposal.
One of the reasons OLED technology performs well in these assessments is its design structure. Unlike traditional LCD TVs, OLED displays do not require a separate backlight layer. That reduces the number of materials and components used during manufacturing.
The environmental impact of that reduction becomes significant at scale. LG estimates that its OLED TVs could reduce plastic consumption by approximately 15,000 tons and lower CO2 emissions by around 80,000 tons in 2026 compared to an equivalent number of LCD TVs.
Beyond environmental concerns, many Kenyan consumers look at energy efficiency as the most practical sustainability point of interest. Considering the frequent inceases in unit costs for electricity, the bills remain a major consideration in household budgeting, especially as more homes adopt multiple connected devices, streaming services, gaming consoles, and larger displays. Energy-efficient appliances are, therefore, becoming financially relevant.
Some of LG’s 2026 OLED evo models achieved an EU Energy Label rating of D for the first time, reflecting improvements in power efficiency during use. While European energy standards may seem geographically distant, they are often used globally as benchmarks for appliance performance and efficiency.
The company’s broader 2026 TV lineup also received Resource Efficiency certification from Intertek, a global testing and certification organisation. The evaluation covered areas such as material efficiency, recycled content, and energy efficiency standards.
That wider approach matters because sustainability conversations are moving beyond energy use alone. Questions about recyclability, repairability, and long-term waste reduction are becoming increasingly important worldwide.
Electronic waste continues to be a growing global challenge, particularly as consumers replace devices more frequently. Kenya has also experienced rising volumes of e-waste as smartphone, appliance, and electronics ownership expands.
Over the past three years, LG has recycled approximately 20,000 tons of end-of-life plastic across its TV lineup and plans to further increase its use of recycled plastics in 2026.
The company’s TVs were also recognised for the fourth consecutive year by Korea’s E-Cycle Governance programme, which evaluates factors including recyclable design, reduced use of hazardous substances, and ease of disassembly.
These details may not immediately influence every TV purchase decision today. Picture quality, pricing, and screen size will still dominate most conversations in electronics stores. However, the direction of the industry is becoming clearer.
Consumers increasingly expect premium products to combine performance with responsible manufacturing practices. Sustainability is gradually moving from being a niche corporate talking point to becoming part of mainstream buyer expectations.
This is especially true among younger consumers, many of whom already consider sustainability in areas such as fashion, transport, packaging, and food consumption. Electronics are beginning to enter the same conversation.
There is also a practical longevity angle to sustainability that resonates locally. Products designed with energy efficiency, durability, repairability, and recyclable materials often align with how many households already think about value. Consumers generally want appliances that last longer, consume less power, and remain useful over time.
LG’s latest certifications fit into this evolution perfectly by reflecting the changing market.