Samsung has announced plans to replace plastic packaging on its products with environmentally sustainable alternatives such as paper.

The Korean tech giant says it's set up a special team to help revamp the packaging.

From the first half of this year, plastic used for holder trays for phones, tablets and wearable products will be replaced with pulp molds.

It's also changing the design of phone chargers to reduce the use of plastic - the glossy exterior will be replaced with a matte finish, while plastic protection films will be removed.

Meanwhile, plastic bags used to protect the surface of home appliances such as TVs will be replaced with bags containing recycled materials and 'bioplastics' (made from non-fossil fuel materials such as sugar cane).

The company also insists it will only use paper material certified by environmental organisations for its packaging and manuals by next year.

In a statement, Samsung's Gyeong-bin Jeon said: “Samsung Electronics is stepping up in addressing society’s environmental issues such as resource depletion and plastic wastes.

“We are committed to recycling resources and minimizing pollution coming from our products. We will adopt more environmentally sustainable materials even if it means an increase in cost.”

It makes Samsung the latest company to shift approach in a bid to tackle mounting environmental and climate concerns.

Apple has previously announced and implemented plans to cut down on plastic packaging - including by creating sustainable forests to supply paper.