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Just in time for Earth Day, Apple reports the highest percentage of recycled materials in its products ever: 30 percent in 2025. Packaging is now completely plastic-free, and greenhouse gas emissions are over 60 percent below 2015 levels.
Every year on Earth Day, Apple publishes its environmental progress report – and in 2026, the company was able to announce several achievements. At the heart of it all is the “Apple 2030” goal: to become carbon neutral across its entire corporate footprint by the end of the decade. With the new report Apple shows that despite significant business growth, the company has further reduced its emissions – and has achieved its self-imposed target for 2025 in several material and packaging areas.
The most important milestone: By 2025, all Apple products shipped were to consist of an average of 30 percent recycled materials – a self-imposed goal. The MacBook Neo, introduced this year, significantly exceeds this target with 60 percent recycled material and is considered Apple's flagship product in terms of sustainability.
Apple: 100 percent recycled cobalt and rare earth elements
Apple has achieved several individual goals for specific components. All Apple-designed batteries now contain 100 percent recycled cobalt—a material whose mining is particularly problematic. All magnets in Apple products are made from 100 percent recycled rare earth metals. And all Apple-designed circuit boards are made from 100 percent recycled gold plating and solder.
These figures only apply to components developed by Apple itself – they do not apply to purchased components. However, Apple emphasizes that the company also pays attention to responsible sourcing of primary materials.
No more plastic in packaging
A second major milestone: Apple now ships exclusively in fiber-based packaging. Screen protectors and plastic sleeves have been replaced with recycled or responsibly sourced paper alternatives. Even large boxes, like the one for the new Studio Display XDR, have been designed to fold into smaller pieces and fit into a standard household recycling bin.
Apple states that it has saved over 15,000 tons of plastic in the last five years – according to Apple's calculations, this corresponds to around 500 million plastic water bottles.
Cora and ARIS: New recycling technology
In addition to increasing its recycling rates, Apple is investing in new material recovery technologies. The company has unveiled Cora, a new electronics recycling facility at its Advanced Recovery Center in California. Cora utilizes precise shredding processes and advanced sensor technology to achieve material recovery rates significantly above the industry average.
In addition, Apple has developed ARIS – a machine learning-based recognition system that can classify and sort electronic waste. The software runs on a Mac mini and is currently being tested with partner recycling companies.
CO₂ emissions and water consumption
Apple reports that its greenhouse gas emissions will be over 60 percent lower in 2025 than in 2015 and have remained stable since 2024 – despite business growth. The company has also achieved its goal of recovering more than half of its total water consumption.
For Earth Day, Apple is offering a special deal in participating stores for users who want to recycle their Apple devices. Anyone with old devices they no longer use can return them free of charge through Apple's recycling program.
Where Apple sets standards
Apple's sustainability reports are regularly subject to differing assessments from environmental organizations. Critics point out that the figures only cover Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, while Scope 3 emissions from the supply chain are significantly higher. Apple itself addresses this through its Apple 2030 goal, which explicitly includes the entire corporate footprint – including suppliers.
Regardless of the evaluation of individual key performance indicators, Apple is setting standards with its 100 percent targets for cobalt, rare earth elements, and gold in printed circuit boards, as well as its plastic-free packaging, standards that other device manufacturers have not yet followed. (Image: Apple)
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