What you should know
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- Apple aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2030, with significant progress made by reducing emissions by over 55 percent since 2015.
- The Apple Trade In program and other initiatives helped rehome a record 12.8 million devices and accessories in the past year.
- Apple has developed advanced recycling technologies, including disassembly robots like Daisy, and is implementing AI and robotics to enhance recycling efficiency.
- Despite advancements in recycling, Apple faces challenges with the integrity of its iPhone recycling program, including issues with theft and the unnecessary destruction of refurbishable devices.
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Full Story
Apple’s got big dreams, aiming for carbon neutrality across the board by 2030. They’re focusing on slashing emissions by a hefty 75% from what they were back in 2015. And guess what? They’re kinda nailing it, with emissions already down by over 55% since then. It looks like they’re on the right track.
But wait, there’s more. In a recent press release, Apple dropped some juicy details beyond just the numbers. Last year, a whopping 12.8 million devices and accessories were given a second life, thanks to programs like AppleCare and Apple Trade In.
So, what’s the deal with Apple Trade In? It’s this cool program where you can swap your old Apple gear for credit toward a shiny new device or an Apple Gift Card. It’s a sweet way to save some cash and do the planet a solid at the same time. Ever wonder what happens to your old iPhone when you trade it in? Apple’s on it with some cutting-edge recycling tech.
Back in 2018, they came up with Daisy, a robot that can take apart 29 different iPhone models into 15 distinct parts. And there’s more – they’ve also got these recycling machines, Dave and Taz, working their magic with a partner in China.
This year, Apple’s stepping up its game with a new product sorter in California. It’s all about automating the process to crank up efficiency and productivity. They’re even spreading this tech to partners around the globe, making it a cost-effective, time-saving game changer. And, for an extra efficiency boost, they’ve introduced autonomous mobile robots at the California center to shuffle products and parts around.
Apple’s not stopping there. They’re diving into collaborations with smarty-pants institutions like Carnegie Mellon, exploring how AI, machine learning, and robotics can revolutionize recycling.
Got an old iPhone 7 lying around? Apple’s saying it’s still got value and is urging folks to bring their used devices to any Apple Store or hit up apple.com/recycle. They’re committed to recycling products that have lost their sparkle, salvaging those precious materials for future tech.
But let’s be real, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies in the recycling realm. Apple’s iPhone recycling program has hit a few bumps, with issues like theft and waste raising eyebrows. In 2020, they even had to sue a recycling partner after a baffling 11,000 pounds of gadgets just poofed. And, adding to the headache, there are reports of Apple telling partners to destroy loads of devices that could’ve been refurbished.
