Apple has long been an advocate of product stewardship, and we believe that this concept extends to the proper disposal of used electronic equipment.

A holistic view

Apple takes a holistic view of recycling and waste minimization. We apply this philosophy from the outset, beginning in the design stage by creating compact, ultra-efficient products that use high-recycling-value materials wherever possible. We have instituted programs around the world to facilitate the recycling of electronics — diverting over 21 million pounds of equipment from landfills since 1994.

Product take-back and recycling

In 2006, Apple recycled 13 million pounds of e-waste, the equivalent of 9.5 percent of the weight of all products sold seven years earlier. We expect this percentage to grow to 13 percent in 2007, and to 20 percent in 2008. By 2010, we forecast recycling 19 million pounds of e-waste per year — nearly 30 percent of the product weight we sold seven years earlier.

Weight Recycled as % of Past Sales*

Apple maintains a variety of recycling programs, which add to recycling totals every day:

• For customers in the United States, Apple offers a free recycling program of old computers and displays with the purchase of a new Mac.
• A free iPod recycling program, conducted through Apple’s retail stores, offers environmentally friendly disposal and a 10 percent discount on the purchase of a new iPod.
• Apple’s free recycling program will take back your iPod or any cell phone — regardless of manufacturer or model.
• A trade-in program for educational and business customers in the United States has already diverted more than 270 tons of electronic waste from landfills since August 2005.
• Apple’s recycling partnership with the city of Cupertino, California, has recycled more than 340 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

All the e-waste we collect in North America is processed there and nothing is shipped overseas for disposal. Apple meets the requirements of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundry Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. In addition to annual compliance audits of our recycling vendors, we review the performance of their downstream vendors. Recyclers must comply with all applicable health and safety laws, and we do not allow the use of prison labor at any stage of the recycling process. Apple does not allow the disposal of hazardous electronic waste in solid waste landfills or incinerators, including waste-to-energy incinerators.

Apple strives to minimize the amount of waste generated at our company sites and operations. When waste paper, glass, metals, and plastics do arise from site activities, we ensure the 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 percent 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.

*Total weight of equipment recycled worldwide. Does not include units that are refurbished or reused.