Tech giant accelerates sustainability goals with cleaner packaging, recycled metals, and smarter manufacturing for a greener future
Cupertino, California, United States, 17 April 2026 – Apple has announced its strongest environmental progress yet, revealing that a record 30 percent of the materials used in products shipped during 2025 came from recycled sources. The milestone reflects the company’s growing focus on sustainable technology, cleaner manufacturing, and reducing dependence on newly mined raw materials.
The latest update shows how environmental responsibility is becoming a key part of the global tech industry. Apple said it now uses 100 percent recycled cobalt in all batteries it designs and 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets across its devices. These materials are widely used in smartphones, laptops, wearables, and accessories.
Another major achievement is packaging. Apple says it has removed plastic from product packaging, replacing it with fiber-based materials that are easier to recycle at home. This supports the broader move toward eco-friendly packaging and reduced plastic waste in consumer electronics.
The company also highlighted progress in waste management. Through recycling, composting, and waste reduction programs across global facilities, Apple reported a waste diversion rate of 75 percent. One of its flagship retail locations also earned zero-waste certification for keeping most waste out of landfills.
These efforts are part of Apple’s larger Apple 2030 plan, which aims to make the company carbon neutral across its full business footprint by the end of the decade. According to the latest report, greenhouse gas emissions remain more than 60 percent lower than 2015 levels, even as the business continues to grow.
Industry experts say this reflects a growing shift in the technology world, where companies are being measured not only by innovation but also by environmental impact. Consumers increasingly expect brands to build products that are powerful, long-lasting, and responsibly made.
Apple’s latest milestone may also influence competitors to speed up their own sustainability programs. As demand rises for greener devices, recycled materials, clean energy, and circular manufacturing are expected to become central trends in the future of electronics.
With stronger climate goals, smarter resource use, and cleaner product design, Apple is showing that sustainability can move hand in hand with innovation.
