Wednesday’s Gather Round keynote featured Lisa Jackson, Apple’s head of environmental initiatives. The annual iPhone unveiling is Apple’s biggest product event of the year. Every single word and image is carefully calibrated to do one thing, and one thing only: sell as many of the new products as possible. So why did Tim Cook turn over several precious minutes to Jackson to talk about renewable energy and recycling? Apple served up that news on Earth Day, but as Jackson said onstage: “We’re really, really proud of it.” Apple’s environmental efforts new iPhone XS models use recycled tin on the main logic board. “This one change will prevent the mining of 10,000 tons of tin ore in a single year,” she said. Apple is also getting better at using recycled or bio-based plastics, she noted, pointing out that the new phones contain recycled and bio-plastic. And lastly she spoke about how Apple is making its products more durable and … [Read more...] about Why it’s a big deal that Lisa Jackson spoke at Apple’s iPhone XS event
Closed loop supply chain
The explosive problem with recycling iPads, iPhones and other gadgets: They catch fire.
By Washington Post | PUBLISHED: September 11, 2018 at 11:16 am | UPDATED: September 11, 2018 at 11:29 am By Geoffrey A. Fowler | The Washington Post MADISON, Wis. – What happens to gadgets when you’re done with them? Too often, they explode. As we enter new-gadget buying season, spare a moment to meet the people who end up handling your old stuff. Isauro Flores-Hernandez, who takes apart used smartphones and tablets for a living, keeps thick gloves, metal tongs and a red fireproof bin by his desk here at Cascade Asset Management, an electronics scrap processor. He uses them to whisk away devices with batteries that burst into flames when he opens them for recycling. One corner of his desk is charred from an Apple iPhone that began smoking and then exploded after he opened it in 2016. Last year, his co-worker had to slide away an exploding iPad battery and evacuate the area while it burned out. Around the world, garbage trucks and recycling centers are going up in … [Read more...] about The explosive problem with recycling iPads, iPhones and other gadgets: They catch fire.
Apple’s environmental initiatives: just how green is the big fruit of tech?
According to Apple’s most recent Environmental Responsibility Report, its "never wavering mission" is "to change the world". However, with the sheer quantity of harmful and volatile materials that go hand-in-hand with tech manufacturing of this scale, "changing the world" may not be the best phrase to use."We continuously strive to reduce our impact on the Earth we all share", the report continues, "today, we remain focused on three priorities where we believe we can make a big difference".These three areas include reducing impact on climate change, conserving precious resources, and utilizing safer materials in Apple products and processes, but how well does Apple answer its own calls?Climate changeWith the release of the 2018 Environmental Responsibility Report came the news that Apple had reached its target of 100% renewable energy used across all of the company’s operations, spanning 43 countries around the globe.The target was set over a decade ago and the company has … [Read more...] about Apple’s environmental initiatives: just how green is the big fruit of tech?
Apple releases 2017 Environmental Responsibility Report
By Jesse Hollington @jhollington● Thursday, April 20, 2017 Apple has released its 2017 Environmental Responsibility Report, outlining details throughout fiscal year 2016 on the company’s efforts in making all of its operations more eco-friendly. In addition to Apple’s continued push toward completely renewable energy sources, this year’s report highlights a new ambitious area of environmental focus for the company — to end reliance on the mining of finite resources altogether in favour of using only renewable resources and recycled materials. The report outlines Apple’s goal for a “closed-loop supply chain” that would both eliminate the need to mine for new raw materials as well as getting rid of waste by recycling devices instead of having them end up in landfills. Apple has long had programs in place to ensure that finite raw materials are responsibility sourced, but this year the company has gone one step further, stating that … [Read more...] about Apple releases 2017 Environmental Responsibility Report
Apple calls climate change ‘undeniable,’ Greenpeace says repairs matter too
“Climate change is undeniable. Earth’s resources won’t last forever. And technology must be safe for people to make and use. We don’t question these realities — we challenge ourselves to ask what we can do about them in every part of our business.” Apple Apple has denied climate change denial as it commits to using 100 percent recycled materials to make its products. Greenpeace wants Apple to go a little further.Copy this“We’re moving toward a closed-loop supply chain. One day we’d like to be able to build new products with just recycled materials, including your old products,” Apple said.Greenpeace senior IT analyst Gary Cook welcomed the promise:“This commitment, and Apple’s recent progress in transitioning its supply chain in Asia to renewable energy, puts it far ahead of others in the sector,” he said, in a press release supplied to Computerworld.“Major IT brands such as Samsung, Huawei, … [Read more...] about Apple calls climate change ‘undeniable,’ Greenpeace says repairs matter too