Apple’s environmental initiatives for the iPad Pro - what’s new?

Newzik is used by a growing number of individual musicians, schools, and orchestras, to read sheet music off iPads.

Our team is extremely committed to environmental topics and keeps a very close eye on Apple’s statements to raise awareness and advise our users on the best practices to adopt.

We believed it was necessary, after having released our in-depth article on the iPad environmental impact in 2020, to give an update based on Apple’s latest reports.

First off, it is important to acknowledge that Apple’s long-term goals described in the 2022 Apple environmental progress report are straightforward and ambitious.

One of their main goals is to “achieve carbon neutrality for their entire carbon footprint by 2030”.

But let’s focus on the iPad and summarize the main evolutions stated in this iPad Pro environmental report.

Re-use of rare materials

Apple claims to focus on the materials that will be used to manufacture the iPad, with a view to preserving important resources and eventually using only recycled or renewable materials in their products.

“We use 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in the magnets of the speakers and the enclosure, representing 98 percent of the total rare earth elements in the device — a first for iPad.”

Employee training

The company is keen to share the values of respect for the environment, which have been emphasized in recent times, with their employees and suppliers. It therefore offers training to understand these new issues and how to integrate them into their daily lives at home and at work.

Eliminate plastic in packaging

Apple’s goal is not only to reduce the packaging of their products in the long term, but above all to eliminate plastic permanently and increase the percentage of recycled products.

“96% of the packaging is fiber based, due to our work to use less plastic in packaging.”

Trade-in program

Apple has become aware of the strong negative impact that the production of its devices has on a global scale and is now seeking to reduce it. In addition to the efforts made from the collection of raw materials to the final sale, Apple also offers consumers the opportunity to return to the shops the devices they no longer use. The aim of this approach is to reduce waste by giving used devices a second life.

Our insights

This type of report really shows how Apple is committed to honoring its long-term commitments. Also, and for the first time, we have a clear transparency on the iPad Pro’s (12.9-inch) carbon emissions during its life cycle: 80% comes from production, 10% from transport, 9% from the use by the final user, and less than 1% from the end-of-life processing.

Over the past 10 years, Apple has indeed significantly improved their carbon footprint impact, their working conditions, and the use of rare resources by making concrete actions and developing innovative solutions. The most recent example is the launch of two robots called “Daisy” that were developed specifically to disassemble iPhones and recycle up to 2.4 million iPhones per year.

A small hitch, however, is the opacity of the shipping journey that hasn’t been explained as clearly as other topics. In addition, the lifespan of an iPad is also not really detailed, and there is still an open question regarding iOS updates and programmed obsolescence.

Conclusion

Despite all the genuine and impactful efforts made by the company, we are playing a central role as consumers, and we must be aware of it. Since 80% of the carbon footprint comes from the production of new devices, it is our individual responsibility to have a more responsible consumption, by keeping and using our devices for as long as possible in order to lower the overall production rate.

Apple will not work on that, and we cannot blame them, since it would clearly be incompatible with the nature of their business.

Further readings

• Apple announces green initiatives ahead of Earth Day
• Apple: one-fifth of materials used in iPhone, other products came from recycling in 2021
• Apple Report says 20% of materials sed for its products are now recycled
• Apple is now using more recycled products than ever - even gold