Apple accelerates eco progress with highest-ever recycled materials
apple.com
apple.com
I expect most of that 30% recycled material is from other sources than traded in devices.
Though the cost of responsibly recycle and dispose of an old computer might make the $0 offer actually a decent one.
Google do similar, as do most electronics retailers.
Is that not not a thing in the US? Perhaps it ought to be.
If they offer even anything, you'll get a lot more pickup - everyone will learn "get a discount at the Apple Store if you bring in an old PC" and reduce the amount of electronic waste.
However, done too well or for too much, and you could greatly reduce the availability of older still-working machines.
As opposed to what? trashing it? You'd rather throw your iPhone in the trash than just hand it to them when you're in the store already?
It's the throwing it away that is the problem.
Not having a phone in the first place is the best for the environment. Failing that, having someone else reuse that phone is best. Only if all else fails is recycling the preferred option.
So of course people are going to concentrate on the problem of people just throwing these things away. And that's for anything. Not just phones.
https://images.apple.com/environment/pdf/Apple_Environmental...
I absolutely want to see them embrace repairability and such, but kudos to them for the work they're doing and the progress they've made. They make it look good, that's good. I'd hate to see them stop. It's not like they're a non-profit.
If anything, I want more companies to do what they're doing (and better, duh), but most companies won't because they have no incentive (Apple can do it because $$$). If I want to hold them to a higher standard, I'll vote for someone who will hold everyone to a higher standard by encouraging those kinds of decisions (read "$$$"). I'm fine with my tax dollars going toward indirectly helping me, including my Apple tax dollars.
Every device they take for "recycling" is a failure of the first 3 "R"s, especially if it is still working or it is just a dead battery, but is good for their business, so no wonder they insist on recycling.
I really like their work on packaging though. Not just because it reduces the plastic waste produced by Apple, it is not much in the grand scheme of things, but it also sets an example. Apple has always been a trendsetter when it comes to design, and their packaging is given a lot of attention.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. *In that priority*
Reduce & Reuse by making it repairable!
But the Reuse part is definitely served, at least in part, through repair.
Good job Apple. Now more to do.
Framework has proven that it is possible to make a great machine that is modular as well as forward and backward compatible, and they’ve done it with a comparatively tiny group of employees.
Same deal with Fairphone. Apple can brag about sustainability the day they ship a phone, wireless earbuds, or smartwatch with a battery that the user can replace with a basic screwdriver or less.
If tiny companies like Fairphone and Framework can manage to put out products like this, imagine what a company with the kind of resources Apple has could do with the same concept.
For a laptop, nearly everything should be modular.
Have you seen how insane the rental tool kit is?
https://selfservicerepair.com/en-US/tool-kit-rental
Here’s a video showing how the battery replacement process works:
Heres the part list for the iPhone 17 Pro tool kit:
Case 1
661-17619 - Heated Display Removal Fixture
661-52832 - Heated Display Pocket
Case 2
923-02657 - Battery Press
661-08916 - Display Press
923-01092 - Adhesive Cutter
922-5065 - Nylon Probe (Black Stick)
923-0248 - Black Torque Driver Kit
923-00738 - Gray Torque Driver
923-00105 - Green Torque Driver
923-0448 - Blue Torque Driver
923-01290 - Micro Stix® Bit
923-02066 - Super screw Bit
923-02995 - Adjustable torque driver (10-34 Ncm)
923-09176 - Adhesive Removal Tool
923-09177 - JCIS Bit for Adjustable Torque Driver
923-09962 - Superscrew Bit for Adjustable Torque Driver
923-08085 - Teal Torque Driver
923-08131 - Orange Torque Driver
923-07594 - Torx Plus 4IP 25mm bit
923-09721 - Housing Protective Cover
923-10961 - Display Protective Cover
923-12855 - Repair Tray
923-13313 - Back Protective Cover Magnetizer
ESD-safe tweezers
Case 3
923-13470 - Logic Board Dock
923-12856 - Logic Board Dock Insert (mmWave)
923-13465 - Logic Board Dock Insert (non-mmWave)
This is not “self service,” this is service that requires professional level tools and skills masquerading as self-service to satisfy regulators.
I think that Apple wants it to be this complicated so they can tell regulators “See? We complied but it’s totally insane, we told you users can’t possibly repair their own equipment!”
Apple also has a long history of making repair difficult for third party repair companies.
Meanwhile, the battery replacement process for the Fairphone only requires one tool:
https://support.fairphone.com/hc/en-us/articles/245900296211...
Second of all, have you actually looked at the process? It is very obviously onerous in ways that could be avoided.
https://www.apple.com/environment/pdf/Apple_Environmental_Pr...
To see previous ones, simply change the year in the URL.
You can get to that from apple.com/environment or apple.com/2030 (which redirects to the former). Near the end, right before and in the appendix you can find third-party independent reviews and assessments.
Now, are those trustworthy? I don’t know. But it gives you the context to start looking. The broader document will also probably help answer the other specific questions.
Do you also distrust those?
I suspect the OP made a mistake and forgot the word “not” in “I'm accusing Apple of lying, but I'd like to get more context than” (otherwise the “but” makes little sense).
I expect they are asking in good faith if there are audits, not accusing the auditors of being corrupt.
And this kind of thing can be hard to independently verify.
Given Apple’s track record I suspect they actually do care about this internally and spend the effort to make sure it is “real”.
If it was strictly a feel-good PR effort then that would have the complete opposite effect if their environmental claims were found to be fabricated, and it would just take one whistleblower anywhere in their own staff, their auditing teams, or anywhere in their global supply chain to bring down that whole facade.
Apple has independently clamped down on suppliers without being forced to, iirc.
Tell that to iFixit.
https://www.ifixit.com/repairability/smartphone-repairabilit...
I’d trust their assessment more than a vague “everyone knows”. There’s nothing “everyone knows”.
Should Apple be better at repairability? Absolutely! But let’s criticise accurately and in good faith. When we don’t, points are easily dismissed and no one takes the valid parts seriously.
True, Apple is no more no less guilty of this than the competition, but they are also not shifting the needle while pretending to do so, with so many untaped opportunities.
Not true at all. I have a close friend (not an electronics or programming nerd in any way) which has replaced the battery (and a screen) on multiple iPhones with nothing more than iFixit instructions.
> you can't safely expand their life
Again, not true. See above.
> with so many untaped opportunities.
Which is obvious I agree with, since I said they absolutely should be better at repairability. But consider the dismissive tone of the original comment, which is justified with false information.
To give you an exaggerated example, let’s say someone is telling you about all the awful practices Nestlé engages in. All of them are true, but then they end with “and their CEO is literally Hitler, who survived and changed his face due to an agreement with the Beelzebub, and is going to control humanity through chocolate”. At that point most people would dismiss them as a nut job and ignore the other true valid points as fabrications too.
Which is why we should criticise, yes, but based on truth, not lies and rage bait.
The batteries are also not safe to replace, relative to items with replaceable batteries. There is a very low chance of me accidentally damaging my TV remote control while replacing the batteries.
None of the information you're responding to is false, and it's perhaps worth asking yourself why you're here defending Apple.
There's an easier argument that is simply "But Samsung!".
Which is why I used a normal consumer as an example.
> None of the information you're responding to is false, and it's perhaps worth asking yourself why you're here defending Apple.
I’m not defending Apple, I’m defending accuracy. When someone says something inaccurate about someone or something I oppose, I try to correct that too. It’s important that arguments are based on truth, because when they are not people start dismissing the true with the false.
My comment history shows I’m an Apple user but am constantly criticising its current state and Tim Cook. You’ll find more comments of mine criticising than praising them.
https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&qu...
Perhaps it’s worth asking yourself why you see someone making an argument once and immediately assume they may have ulterior motives, and why you’re actively ignoring the arguments which do not feed your view, including my clear and repeated assertions in the thread that Apple should absolutely do better.
> There's an easier argument that is simply "But Samsung!".
Which was not once my argument. I abhor whataboutism.
https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&que...
I’d appreciate if you didn’t straw man.
From an environmental point of view it doesn't matter if you do the repair yourself or you have it done by someone else.
The added cost and friction will de facto make it less repairable.
iPhone Air - 7/10 (Provisional)
iPhone 17 Pro - 7/10 (Provisional)
Fairphone 6 - 10/10
HMD Fusion/Skyline - 9/10
> But let’s criticise accurately and in good faith.
Isn't that what the scores above tell (which I brought up in my original comment)?
Plus, this is only for their smartphone line up. What about their headphones and other products? Airpods Pro Max is a 6/10, for example:
https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/AirPods+Max+Teardown/139369
Polite reminder that companies don't care about us if we love them or support them or not. Especially online.
Also in the link I shared:
* Google Pixel 10: 6
* Nothing Phone 3: 3
* Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: 3
* Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge: 5 (Provisional)
And many more.
So clearly Apple does not “score the lowest”.
> Isn't that what the scores above tell
So no, it’s not what the above scores tell, because you were actively selective. If you scroll down the list in good faith (with is sorted from Newest to Oldest) what you see is that Apple is not the worst and has been getting better starting with the 15.
> Polite reminder that companies don't care about us if we love them or support them or not. Especially online.
You don’t have to tell me that, I’m an active critic of Tim Cook and the current state of Apple.
https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&qu...
I’m also pretty vocal about not shilling for corporations and billionaires which would sell your nuts in a heartbeat. But I do care about criticism being valid, because when it’s not people ignore the valid points.
Again, Apple should absolutely do better and so should other companies. But lets call them out on what they actually do (or don’t), false accusations don’t help.
Apple pioneered some huge anti-repairability measures like e.g. soldered-in RAM.
Wasn't always that way though. I recall repairing a late 2011 MBP, so contemporary to the first soldered MBAs. Really easy to work on, with the battery held in place with just two triangular screws. That was four years ago and the user is still using it.
https://www.ifixit.com/News/82493/we-are-retroactively-dropp...
(I'm a happy Apple user across all of their products, but I have no illusion that they're easily repairable)
I have machine washed my Airpods multiple times and they still work, and I use them for 3+ years. Seems like a good enough product, based on the alternatives available in the market.
However if we're going to talk about "eco progress" specifically we do have to talk about repairability. To be fair though, a long lasting product is probably more "green" than any easily repaired one in many circumstances.
Also, Apple repair prices are high, but not outrageous. There will always be someone claiming they can do it for less, but not many that will give the same guarantees Apple does.
AppleCare is extremely cheap and comprehensive. I have had one Apple product fail in at least fifteen years and it was replaced without hesitation. It’s been nearly a decade since I’ve had an iPhone screen crack from dropping, and that used to be a regular occurrence. And if I do, again, it’s covered under AppleCare.
There are many harsh criticisms to be leveled against the company. This is not one of them.
I gave my old iPhone X to my father who's still using it, 9 years later, with software updates to iOS.
Compare that to the Google Pixel 2 (which came out in the same year), got it's last software update 3 years later.