In 2021, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) stated that it has been using nearly 20% recycled material, which is the highest amount that the company has obtained up until now. On April 19, Apple offered up further information on their recycling program, along with new features that they will be providing for consumers in preparation for Earth Day on April 22.
In terms of the specific material that Apple recycles, they use gold, tungsten, rare-earth materials, and cobalt. In 2021 alone, 59% of aluminum in shipped Apple items came from recycled materials. By the year 2025, Apple intends to completely end the usage of plastics in their packaging. Since 2015, Apple has decreased its usage of plastics in packaging by 75%.
Apple is also sharing ways in which consumers can enjoy Earth Day. One way is through supporting the World Wildlife Fund through Apple Pay. Apple consumers are encouraged to celebrate nature through all types of platforms with a variety of resources and activities. They can learn more about important issues such as climate change, as well as support causes that work to save the planet.
"As people around the world join in celebrating Earth Day, we are making real progress in our work to address the climate crisis and to one day make our products without taking anything from the earth," said Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, in a press statement. "Our rapid pace of innovation is already helping our teams use today's products to build tomorrow's, and as our global supply chain transitions to clean power, we are charting a path for other companies to follow."
One positive aspect of recycling so much material is that it decreases mining. According to Apple, gold and copper from one metric ton of iPhone parts were able to be collected by them. This past year, Apple additionally came up with 12.2 million refurbished devices. The company has even come up with a group of robots in order to help out with recycling.