Smartphone sustainability is at an all-time high, Apple in the lead

A new report shows how Apple continues to go above and beyond its direct competitors when cutting its carbon footprint.

Sustainability is a big deal to Apple, which is why it stands head and shoulders above its competition when implementing environmental-forward initiatives.

As Counterpoint Research notes, about 80% of a smartphone's carbon footprint is in its production, and companies can take measures to help reduce the strain manufacturing puts on the environment.

But those aren't the only places where a company can make changes, either. Manufacturers can also make a difference by creating products that have a longer lifespan, are easier to repair, and can be either reused or recycled once a consumer is done with them.

"Each [smartphone manufacturer] has its own vision and overall approach toward sustainability," Counterpoint Research writes." Apple's vision seems to be clearer than its competition and its actions support the said vision."

The report highlights how Apple has taken strides to keep its manufacturing process green while also working to keep older models of phones functional for longer.

Samsung came in second and scored highly in repairability, energy efficiency, and after-sales networks.

The report also suggests smartphone makers can up their sustainability scores by forging partnerships with reputable resellers and third-party repair companies.

By giving customers easy ways to repair a broken device or trade in an old device when it comes time to upgrade, companies can work to keep devices out of the landfill.

In 2020, Apple became a carbon-neutral company. Apple senior vice president Lisa Jackson has noted the company achieved this not only through purchasing carbon credits, but by prioritizing clean energy.

The Cuptertino-based tech giant has also made great strides when it comes to recycling components for reuse. Apple uses Daisy, a recycling robot, to strip 1.2 million iPhones for parts each year.

In 2016, Apple joined a global initiative called RE100, in which they sought to shift entirely to renewable energy. In the spring of 2018, Apple announced their data centers, retail stores, and the Apple Park headquarters in Cupertino all ran on 100 percent renewable energy.

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10 Comments

racerhomie3 1264 comments · 7 Years

About 1 year ago

Apple should sell refurbished products in other nations like Indonesia,Pakistan and Bangladesh and offer 3-4 years of security updates to iOS devices not getting newer OSes. They should also improve presence in poorer nations like Africa and South East Asia.

mike1 3434 comments · 10 Years

racerhomie3 said:

Apple should sell refurbished products in other nations like Indonesia,Pakistan and Bangladesh and offer 3-4 years of security updates to iOS devices not getting newer OSes. They should also improve presence in poorer nations like Africa and South East Asia.

Ugh! Where do you think the millions of traded in iPhones go?
Apple always provides updates, security and otherwise, to older phones for many, many years after they stop selling.

What presence would you like Apple to have in those nations?. Huge Apple stores for no customers?! Apple products are attainable anywhere in the world through one form of distribution or another.

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

racerhomie3 said:

Apple should sell refurbished products in other nations like Indonesia,Pakistan and Bangladesh and offer 3-4 years of security updates to iOS devices not getting newer OSes. They should also improve presence in poorer nations like Africa and South East Asia.

Never good enough, never were good enough, never will be good enough for the likes of some.

mike1 said:

racerhomie3 said:

Apple should sell refurbished products in other nations like Indonesia,Pakistan and Bangladesh and offer 3-4 years of security updates to iOS devices not getting newer OSes. They should also improve presence in poorer nations like Africa and South East Asia.

Ugh! Where do you think the millions of traded in iPhones go?
Apple always provides updates, security and otherwise, to older phones for many, many years after they stop selling.

What presence would you like Apple to have in those nations?. Huge Apple stores for no customers?! Apple products are attainable anywhere in the world through one form of distribution or another.
Apples official presence in south east Asia is not strong. Although there are plenty of devices in the gray market having access to official refurbished products will get more switchers in poorer regions in the world

India may have balked at Apple official refurbished products there are nations with huge populations like Indonesia,Pakistan and Bangladesh that may get Apple 30-50 million more customers,as low value as they may be.This might give way to more Apple subscription revenue .For example Apple still has no App Store region for Pakistan and Bangladesh.