Lisa Jackson, Apple's environmental chief, made an interesting statement to Reuters. According to her, Apple wants to become a "closed-loop" manufacturer, i.e. close the loop and no longer rely on mining 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 dismantles 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 that 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 is also positive feedback. Hower Tom Butler, President of the International Council on Mining and Metals, finds Apple's position "enviable" and believes that the company could actually succeed in implementing it. At the same time, however, he also questions whether other players in the industry could follow suit. Creating a closed circuit and thus becoming a "closed-loop" manufacturer is a particularly ambitious goal. Whether Apple will actually get that far in the end remains to be seen. The fact is, if anyone has what it takes - it's Apple! (Photo by Parilov / Bigstockphoto)
