10. How is Apple helping to accelerate a circular economy?

A durable device is a greener device. When products can be used longer, fewer resources need to be extracted from the earth to make new ones. Apple’s continuing focus on making the best and most durable products, coupled with expert repair services, ensures that our products are used for a very long time. When our customers are done using their devices, we make it easy to return them through Apple Trade In — so devices can be passed on to another user or recycled responsibly.

In 2017, Apple made public our commitment to one day make products using only renewable and recycled materials. And, where necessary, we aim to contribute material back to the market for Apple or others to use. With advancements like Daisy and Dave, our newest disassembly robots, we can recover more materials at a higher quality than through traditional recycling processes.

We have initiatives in place to ensure that the materials we use in our products are sourced responsibly — through strict standards and programs that drive positive change. We are continuing that commitment, but we are also challenging ourselves to make all our products without extracting finite resources from the earth. It’s an ambitious goal that will require years of collaboration across Apple teams, our suppliers, and recyclers — but our work is already underway.

For more information on our progress to date, read the 2020 Environmental Progress Report (PDF).