Introduction
As one of the biggest companies on Earth, it is important that Apple continue to create and maintain policies to ensure that they encourage their consumers to become greener.
In 1991 – 15 years after its 1976 founding, Apple began to carry this eco-consciousness into its operations. By phasing out its use of lead in batteries, this began the first steps of many to create more sustainable products and clean up Apple's manufacturing processes.
Facilities such as office buildings, retail stores and data centers represented only 2% of Apple’s self-estimated 23.1 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions attributed to its operations in 2011– from manufacturing of products to transporting them and their use by consumers. Yet, the company has been aggressive in slashing their environmental impact, which means saving energy and improving the bottom line.
All main Apple products such as the iPhone, MacBook, iPad, Apple Watch and even Apple TV play a crucial part in reducing the carbon footprint of Apple.
Apple have been carbon neutral since 2020 and they have formulated a plan to excel this plan to create all carbon neutral products and be 100% clean by 2030.
Steps by Apple
Each year, Apple have taken meaningful steps in order to reduce their effect on climate change and to promote Apple as a more sustainable brand. Lisa P. Jackson, Vice President of Environmental initiatives has led to strategize and take action in sustainability measures within Apple. Collaborating alongside non-profit government organisations like Ceres and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) has allowed Apple to lend their voice and stand with environmental companies and NGOs to break down policy barriers to achieve thriving clean energy markets.
Products
In 2017, Apple made public our commitment to one day make products using only renewable and recycled materials. And, where possible, they aim to contribute material back to the market for Apple or others to use. With advancements like Daisy and Dave, Apple's newest disassembly robots, they can recover more materials at a higher quality than through traditional recycling processes.
Apple have made drastic changes whilst maintaining the seamless and innovative style of the iPhone. New environmentally conscious designs relating to the circuit boards, antennas and drop protection mean that users can keep their phone for longer without the need to dispose of their old one in a shorter time.
Even by promoting “energy-saving” products like Low Power Modes on Apple devices, designing products that require less energy is one of the major ways Apple have lowered their carbon impact, even as they’re being used.
Production
By transitioning to clean energy across their supply chain, and developing the Supplier Clean Energy Programme, Apple have been able to generate 18.3 million megawatt-hours of clean energy, avoiding almost 14 million tonnes of carbon emissions. Today 213 of their suppliers have committed to 100% renewable electricity for Apple production, representing the majority of Apple’s direct worldwide spending for materials, manufacturing and assembly of products.
The removal of power adapters from Apple products such as the iPhone caused much controversy initially but fewer chargers mean less environmental impact.
Eliminating power adapters from iPhone 12s and onwards meant that Apple had avoided 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions - equivalent to removing 500,000 cars from the road for a year.
Leaving out those adapters was a bold change for Apple and a necessary one for our planet and we see many brands like Nomad take these bold changes for a cleaner future.
Infrastructure
Apple Park located in Cupertino, California is the headquarters of Apple Inc. The “Ring building” is powered by 100% renewable energy and is surrounded by 80% of green spaces considering it to be one of the most energy efficient buildings on Earth. You can read more about Apple’s Offices in our previous blog.
Steps by consumers
Since 2013, Apple began their TradeIn programme which allowed current or previous Apple users to trade in an eligible device for credit towards their next purchase or, receive an Apple Gift Card to use anytime. Even if your device isn’t eligible for credit, Apple will recycle it for free - no matter the model or condition. This still allows consumers the opportunity to help take the steps to recycle and divert electronic waste from landfills.
You can trade in your Apple device here.
More about Apple’s environmental plan for 2030 can be read at Apple.com
At Megamac, we also care about the environment and the effect our business has on our future planet so you can read more about Megamac’s sustainability in our blog here.
