Apple and the Environment

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 recycling programs in 95% of the countries where our products are sold — diverting over 83 million pounds of equipment from landfills since 1994.

Product takeback and recycling

In 2008, Apple recycled 30.5 million pounds of electronic waste, achieving a worldwide recycling rate of over 38% — our best ever. To calculate this rate, we use a simple measurement proposed by Dell that assumes a seven year product lifetime. The weight we recycle each year is compared to the total weight of the products Apple sold seven years earlier.

Our recycling total for 2008 represented a 47% increase over 2007. Apple not only beat its goal for last year, but we also surpassed our 2009 and 2010 goals, which were originally set in 2007. We are now committed to achieving an unprecedented recycling rate of 50% by 2010.

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

• For customers in the United States, Apple offers a free recycling program for 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% discount on the purchase of a new iPod.
• Apple’s free recycling program takes back iPods as well as cell phones — regardless of manufacturer or model.
• A trade-in program for education and business customers in the United States has already diverted more than 400 tons of e-waste from landfills since August 2005.
• Apple’s recycling partnership with the city of Cupertino, California, has recycled more than 480 tons of electronics. All electronics products are accepted free of charge, regardless of manufacturer.
• Apple's recycling programs across Europe handled over 37% of our global recycling weight in 2008, an increase of 35%.
• Apple's 2008 recycling activities in Asia and Australia increased 41% year-over-year.

Apple is committed to compliance with all applicable recycling regulations and laws worldwide.

Responsible recycling

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 Transboundary 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.