Apple's Sustainability Commitment
Apple announced at its Wonderlust event that its plan to eliminate 100% of plastic from its packaging, originally scheduled for 2025, has been brought forward to this year. The tech giant claims it will phase out all plastic packaging by the end of 2024 and will gradually phase out leather products. By 2030, Apple aims to reduce the climate impact of its devices to net zero, with key metals used in construction, such as aluminum, cobalt, and gold, coming from recycled sources.
Collaboration with Supply Chain Partners
To achieve its low-carbon goals, Apple has begun collaborating with its supply chain partners to research and develop alternative solutions to plastic packaging. By 2030, more than 300 suppliers will be using 100% clean energy to manufacture Apple products.
Molded Pulp Packaging as a Solution
Molded pulp packaging, as a high-quality solution for replacing and limiting plastic, has become the best choice for Apple to achieve its goal of low-carbon, de-plasticized packaging. Apple's Beats Studio Pro headphones use pulp molding packaging made from bagasse and bamboo fiber. Similarly, Apple’s new Vision Pro featured a molded pulp insert made from bagasse to support Apple’s 100% de-plasticized packaging goal by 2024.
Emissions Reduction and Use of Fiber-based Materials
Since 2015, Apple has reduced its overall emissions by 45%, maintaining its leadership in green energy and recyclable materials. The 2021 iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro cases no longer use plastic film, reducing plastic use by 600 tonnes. In 2022, Apple redesigned the iPad packaging to eliminate plastic outer film, making it 97% fiber-based, while the new iPad Pro packaging is 99% fiber-based. On May 8, 2024, Apple released new iPad Pro and iPad Air packaging that no longer includes the plastic Apple logo sticker.
Environmental Leadership and Future of Eco-friendly Packaging
Apple has demonstrated its strong commitment to environmental protection and its responsibility as a technology leader. With major technology giants turning to environmentally friendly packaging, molded pulp packaging, as an eco-friendly, recyclable material, will become increasingly prominent and applied in more areas, injecting new vitality into the sustainable development of the industry.
Transition from Plastic Packaging in Past Products
In the past, Apple’s iPhone 5 and iPod were packaged in apple plastic wrap and apple plastic packaging, which, while sleek and attractive, were not environmentally friendly. These apple plastics have since become outdated as Apple transitions to apple sustainable packaging. Today, Apple focuses on recyclable materials, moving away from unprocessed apple plastic openair methods to more eco-friendly and apple packaging recyclable solutions, reflecting its commitment to sustainability.
