In anticipation of the upcoming Earth Day, Apple released its 2025 Environmental Progress Report, presenting an impressive green report card. The company announced that recycled materials will account for a record 30% of all Apple products shipped in 2025. Even more significant is that all Apple-designed batteries now use 100% recycled cobalt, and magnets are made entirely from 100% recycled rare earth elements. Simultaneously, Apple has officially fulfilled its commitment to "eliminate plastic from packaging by 2025," fully transitioning to fiber-based environmentally friendly packaging.
Core components are now fully green, and plastic packaging is officially phased out.
Apple achieved several key milestones this year in the use of materials in its hardware products. Besides increasing the overall proportion of recycled materials to 30%, the most notable achievement is the recycling and reuse of rare metals.
• 100% recycled cobalt metal: used in all Apple-designed batteries.
• 100% recycled rare earth elements: used in all magnetic components within the product.
• 100% recycled gold plating and solder: Applied to all Apple-designed printed circuit boards (PCBs).
In terms of packaging, Apple has spent 10 years developing a fiber alternative to replace traditional plastic protective sheets and trays. Today, the packaging for large products, including the new Studio Display XDR, is designed to be easily foldable and fit into household recycling bins.
Official data shows that over the past five years, Apple has successfully avoided using more than 15000 metric tons of plastic, equivalent to reducing the consumption of approximately 5 million plastic water bottles.
Incorporating machine learning, Cora and ARIS, next-generation recycling systems, have been launched.
To address the low recycling rate of electronic waste (E-waste), Apple has launched a new electronics recycling line called Cora at its Advanced Recovery Center in California. Through precision shredding and advanced sensing technology, Cora can significantly increase the recycling rate of high-value materials from discarded devices.
In addition, Apple has developed its own new detection system, ARIS, powered by machine learning. This software currently runs on the Mac mini and is being tested with partner recycling companies, aiming to help recycling plants sort and separate complex electronic waste more efficiently and accurately.
MacBook Neo: A Demonstration of Ultimate Carbon Reduction
As the best embodiment of Apple's 2030 plan, the product launched earlier this yearMacBook NeoIt has been officially described as "the laptop with the lowest carbon emissions in history".
This product not only boasts the highest recycled material content (60%) among Apple devices, but its exquisite aluminum body also utilizes a highly efficient forming process that saves half the raw materials compared to traditional processing methods. Furthermore, Apple and its suppliers developed a new enhanced "anodizing process" for it, achieving a water reuse rate of up to 70% through a closed-loop system, significantly reducing the consumption of freshwater resources in industrial manufacturing.
Supply chain green electricity promotion and limited-time events for Earth Day
In energy and waste management, Apple's direct suppliers purchased over 20 GW of renewable energy last year; and in terms of water resources, Apple and its suppliers worked together to save up to 170 billion gallons of freshwater. Furthermore, Apple Fifth Avenue, Apple's iconic New York store, became the first Apple retail store to receive TRUE Zero Waste Certification this year, with over 90% of its waste being transferred to landfills.
In response to Earth Day, Apple is offering recycling incentives for consumers: from now until May 16, consumers who bring eligible old Apple products to designated Apple retail stores for recycling can enjoy a 10% discount on AirPods or related accessories.
Updated:Apple further clarified that the above promotional offers are only valid at participating Apple Stores in participating countries and regions during the promotional period, and the trade-in of eligible devices and the purchase of promotional products must be completed in the same transaction. The promotional discount cannot be used for future product purchases.
Eligible devices include iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, while promotional products include Apple-branded adapters, AirPods 4, AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling, AirPods Pro 3, AirTag (1-pack), AirTag (4-pack), Apple Pencil, Apple TV 4K, Apple-branded Apple Watch bands, Apple-branded cables, Apple-branded chargers, Apple-branded iPad cases, Apple-branded iPhone cases, Magic Keyboards (excluding Magic Keyboards for iPad), Magic Mice, Magic Trackpads, and select Beats accessories such as Beats-branded cables, Beats-branded cases, Beats Solo Buds, Beats Studio Buds, Beats Pill, Powerbeats Fit, and Beats Solo 4.
