Apple is doubling down on a bold promise: by 2030, the company intends to use 100% recycled materials in its gadgets and to operate with carbon neutrality across its entire footprint, from factories to customers’ homes and offices. This plan marks a shift away from mining new resources toward a model powered by recovered materials and circular design.
The leadership framed the goal as a long game, likening it to a historic achievement such as landing a person on the moon. The message was clear: the company aims to eliminate raw material extraction from its gadget production and move toward a closed-loop system where waste becomes a resource rather than a setback.
In discussions about progress, it was noted that Apple has already begun reducing plastics in product packaging and components. The focus on sustainability extends beyond packaging, touching several product components and manufacturing steps as the company explores environmental improvements without compromising performance or reliability.
The aspirational target encompasses every stage of the product life cycle, including supply chain operations, product use, and end-of-life handling. The idea is to design for longevity, repairability, and recyclability, so that fewer new resources are needed to produce future devices.
Earlier disclosures highlighted that a portion of materials used in iPhones and other devices comes from recycled sources. Elements such as gold, tungsten, and cobalt were cited to illustrate how recycled content already contributes to the build, signaling that a shift toward greater reuse is underway. These steps are part of a broader strategy to reduce environmental impact while maintaining the high standards customers expect.