Apple has long been an advocate of product stewardship, and we believe that this concept extends to the proper disposal of electronic equipment at the end of its life.
A holistic view
Apple takes a holistic view of recycling, and we apply this thinking to our own manufacturing processes, the packaging of our products, and even the disposal of electronics at the end of their life cycles. We have instituted programs around the world to facilitate the recycling of electronics — diverting over 7,100 tons of equipment from landfills worldwide since 1996 — while Apple’s Team Recycle has won the California Waste Reduction Award every year since 1995.
Product take-back and recycling
Product stewardship means that all parties who have a role in producing, selling or using Apple products also have a role in managing this process.
Apple began its first take-back service for retailers and distributors in Germany in 1996. Since then, our take-back programs have expanded throughout Europe and into the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Taiwan. In 2001, we began a take-back service for consumers through the Apple Recycles program. This program has recycled over 90% by weight of all equipment collected to date.
Apple maintains a variety of recycling programs which are adding to this total every day:
- A trade-in program for educational and business customers in the United States has already diverted more than 60 tons of electronic waste from landfills since August 2005.
- Apple’s recycling partnership with the city of Cupertino, California has recycled more than 155 tons of electronics. All electronics products are accepted free of charge, regardless of manufacturer.
- We also participate in recycling programs in Asia, including national programs in Japan and Taiwan.
We are committed to compliance with all applicable regulations and laws in this area, worldwide.
Thinking globally, acting locally
Apple strives to minimize the amount of waste generated at our company sites. When waste paper, glass, metals and plastic do arise from site activities, we ensure that such materials are recycled properly. Some examples include:
- Paper: This recycling stream encompasses all cardboard packaging, as well as paper from manuals and other printed materials. These materials are sent to processing mills, where they undergo a hydro-pulping process to produce new paper-based products such as cardboard boxes and tissues. Typically, over 95% of the material is recycled in this process.
- Foam: Protective foam is remanufactured into new foam products as well as a variety of other materials, such as carpet padding and substitute wood products (e.g. crown molding or baseboard).
- Batteries: Batteries are removed and sent to specialist battery recyclers for dedicated metals and plastics treatment.
