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Lisa Jackson, Apple's environmental chief, made an interesting statement to Reuters. According to her, Apple wants to become a "closed-loop" manufacturer, meaning it will close the loop and no longer rely on mining for materials.
The statement is not surprising at all. It is a response to a recent Reuters report revealing Apple's progress with the robot Daisy. Daisy can currently disassemble around 200 iPhones per hour. According to the report:
Apple is trying to change the way electronics are recycled with a robot that disassembles its iconic iPhone so minerals can be recovered and reused. But rising global demand for electronics means manufacturers still need new mines. The Cupertino, California-based company says the robot is part of its plan to become a "closed-loop" manufacturer that doesn't rely on the mining industry—an aggressive goal some industry analysts say is impossible.
Jackson assured Reuters that Apple has no intention of competing with the mining industry, nor does the industry have anything to fear, as demand for certain materials for electric vehicles will continue. But not everyone is convinced of Apple's goals and remains skeptical - including iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens.
There is this ego that believes they can get all their minerals back and that is not possible.
Kyle Wiens, iFixit
But there's also positive feedback. Hower Tom Butler, President of the International Council on Mining and Metals, finds Apple's position "enviable" and believes the company could actually succeed in implementing its vision. At the same time, however, he questions whether other players in the industry could follow suit. Creating a closed-loop system and thus becoming a "closed-loop" manufacturer is a particularly ambitious goal. Whether Apple will actually achieve that remains to be seen. The fact is, if anyone has what it takes – it's Apple! (Photo by Parilov / Bigstockphoto)
