Hardware in general, and smartphones in particular, have taken over lives so quickly that the end of the product life cycle is often overlooked. However, they become a huge environmental and health problem in the landfill sites.
Electronic waste is currently 5% of all global waste, and it is set to increase exponentially as more of us own multiple smartphones, laptops, and power banks—a few of which are likely to be repaired or recycled at the end of their lives. However, the problem cannot be addressed by the governments alone. Companies need to take steps to reduce their waste by creating a circular hardware economy.
Apple Inc (Apple) designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, tablets, personal computers (PCs), and portable and wearable devices. The company also offers software and related services, accessories, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. Apple’s product portfolio includes iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. It offers various consumer and professional software applications such as iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, iCloud, AppleCare, Apple Pay, and accessories.
The total waste generated by Apple in 2021 Apple was 52,490 tonnes, an increase of 14.8% over 2020. The company generated 1,599 tonnes of hazardous waste in 2021 which decreased by 13% over 2020.
In 2021, the company landfilled 15,060 tonnes of the total waste, an increase of 28.6% over the previous year. Apple recycled 33,334 tonnes of total waste in the same year. The waste composted by the company was 2,198 tonnes and the waste converted to energy was 298 tonnes. This makes the total landfill diversion rate of the company 68%.
The company directed more than 38,000 tonnes of e-waste to recycling globally in 2021.
Apple aims to eliminate all plastic from its packaging by 2025. The company is committed to minimizing resource use and the associated generation of non-hazardous or hazardous waste.
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