Apple expanded its recycling programmes, quadrupling the number of locations US customers can send their iPhone to be disassembled by Daisy, its recycling robot. Apple also opened a Material Recovery Lab in Austin, Texas, to further its research on recycling. The facility is dedicated to discovering future recycling processes. The company said it continues to expand its programmes to ensure devices are used for as long as possible and also released its 2019 Environment report.
Daisy will disassemble and recycle selected used iPhones returned to Best Buy stores throughout the US and KPN retailers in the Netherlands. Customers can also turn in their eligible devices to be recycled at any Apple Store or through apple.com as part of the Apple Trade In programme.
Apple received nearly 1 million devices through Apple programmes and each Daisy can disassemble 1.2 million devices per year. In 2018, the company refurbished more than 7.8 million Apple devices and helped divert more than 48,000 metric tons of electronic waste from landfills.
New Material Recovery Lab
The new 9,000-square-foot facility in Austin will look for innovative products involving robotics and machine learning to improve on traditional methods like targeted disassembly, sorting and shredding. The lab will work with Apple engineering teams as well as academia to address and propose products to today’s industry recycling challenges.
The number of Apple Stores and network of Authorized Service Providers grew to over 5,000 worldwide. Last fall, Apple rolled out a new method for optimising iPhone screen repairs that allows thousands more independent shops to offer the service. Apple also launched a battery replacement and recycling programme for all of its products.Environment report
Apple's latest Environment report contains additional pieces information on the company’s climate change solutions, including its recent announcement that 44 of its suppliers have committed to 100 percent renewable energy for their Apple production. The report can be viewed at apple.com/environment. The company will celebrate Earth Day on 22 April with environmentally themed Today at Apple sessions at all Apple Stores.
