Product Design
From designing for energy efficiency to using recyclable materials, Apple’s design philosophy focuses on the future of our products and the future of our planet.
Innovative and efficient
Apple strongly believes that reducing the environmental impact of our business starts with the design of our products. We set high standards — based on our own requirements and those set by programs such as ENERGY STAR® — in an effort to create products that offer excellent environmental performance throughout their life cycle.
The MacBook packaging uses 41% less volume resulting in 25% more units per shipping container.
The iMac and MacBook are great examples of ultra-efficient design, and illustrate the ways in which Apple continually refines products to further improve environmental performance. Both products are extremely power efficient, use highly recyclable aluminium and glass, and use packaging designs that maximise shipping efficiency.
Less is more
Our designs also help to reduce energy consumption, minimise the use of environmentally damaging substances, and optimize the useful life of our products — all of which lead to a smaller environmental footprint. Lower energy consumption reduces electricity demand and alleviates the detrimental effects of power generation. Using recyclable materials cuts the amount of waste going into landfill. And restricting environmentally damaging substances makes products safer for consumers and businesses during their useful life and beyond.
Examples of continuous improvement of iMac design
The iMac design has continuously improved generation after generation, resulting in increased material efficiency, decreased packaging mass and volume, and decreased energy consumption.
Reducing packaging
- MacBook packaging uses 41% less volume resulting in 25% more units per shipping container.
- Packaging for the current generation 20-inch iMac uses 66% less plastic and 42% less paper than the 20-inch iMac G4 flat panel, while taking up 41% less space.
- iPod classic packaging consumes 35% less weight and 82% less volume than the first generation iPod.
Product Environmental Reports
Apple provides details on the greenhouse emissions, energy efficiency, restricted substances and material efficiency for products and packaging in its Product Environmental Reports.
Recyclable materials
Apple uses highly recyclable materials such as aluminium, stainless steel, polycarbonate, and glass for each of our products. The use of these high-value materials encourages recycling, which helps to minimise waste at the end of the product’s life.
Dematerialisation
Apple’s ultra-compact product and packaging designs lead the industry in material efficiency — reducing waste and energy consumption and maximising shipping efficiency.
Fewer Cables
Apple spearheaded the widespread adoption of wireless technologies such as AirPort and Bluetooth. Wirelessly connected MacBooks help entire school networks reduce their need for miles of PVC-containing cables.
Removing Toxics
Apple’s record of restricting harmful substances goes back well over a decade. Learn more about substances currently restricted or banned in Apple’s products, packaging, and manufacturing processes.
