Apple Now Uses Recycled Materials in Nearly 20% of its Products

According to Apple’s 2022 Environmental Progress Report, nearly 20% of all material used in its products in 2021 was recycled, marking the highest-ever use of recycled content.

For the first time, Apple introduced certified recycled gold, and more than doubled the use of recycled tungsten, rare earth elements, and cobalt. The company also shared new ways customers can celebrate Earth Day, including supporting World Wildlife Fund by using Apple Pay.

“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.

Apple products in 2021 included: 

• 45 percent certified recycled rare earth elements, a significant increase since Apple introduced recycled rare earth elements in its devices. 
• 30 percent certified recycled tin, with all new iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Mac devices featuring 100 percent recycled tin in the solder of their main logic boards.
• 13 percent certified recycled cobalt, used in iPhone batteries that can be disassembled by Apple’s recycling robot Daisy and returned to the market. 
• Certified recycled gold, featured — for the first time in any Apple product — in the plating of the main logic board and wire in the front camera and the rear cameras of iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro.

You can view Apple’s 2022 Environmental Progress Report at this link.