Apple leads in sustainable smartphone manufacturing – report

Daisy, Apple’s recycling robot: Where iPhones go when they can’t be fixed…

In some circles even the concept that humans should tidy up their own mess and try to reduce the environmental damage we choose to do are rejected. If that’s you then I’m with Greta Thornburg.

Fortunately, despite the power of the well-paid idiots of the fossil fuel lobby, the world’s biggest smartphone manufacturers are waking up, developing more sustainable manufacturing processes. Apple leads the pack.

Apple, Samsung lead the pack for sustainable manufacturing

In its latest research report, Counterpoint observes Apple leads in sustainable manufacturing, with Samsung also taking big steps. It does note that most smaller manufacturers have a lot more work to do.

• The report observes that more and more manufacturers are adopting a circular approach to manufacturing.
• Apple and also Samsung are leading the attempt.
• Counterpoint observes tie-ups with local sustainability partners have increased, leading to circular initiatives across geographies.
• However, what is in place now falls short when compared to the volumes of new smartphones being shipped every year.
• In part, this is because smaller players in the smartphone space aren’t anything like as focused on this mission.

Counterpoint’s report assesses how well the OEM is reducing its impact on the environment by reusing materials, recycling devices, and minimizing waste at each stage, from the design of the smartphone, processing chips, and packaging to power consumption. It also examines progress on carbon neutrality and other key goals.

[Also read: 12+ Apple & the environment facts you may not know]

Apple has a vision it is investing in

It describes Apple’s vision as being far clearer than those of its competitors, and observes the company is investing in putting that sustainable target into effect. The report notes manufacturing, usage and end of life as being key aims to this vision.

While Apple scores high on overall longevity, updates, and innovations toward sustainability, Samsung scores higher in repair, energy efficiency and after-sales networks. In the end, it depends on how long a consumer chooses to use a device.

When it comes to refurbishment and recycling, Apple also leads the pack.

The market for refurbished devices grew 15% last year, and the ecosystem to support improvement is expanding fast. That’s why it’s easier than ever to resell or recycle and old device, as this article shows.

Apple is working to create a more sustainable manufacturing process.

It has been doing so for years, since way before others began this attempt. This work is multi-faceted across the company, extending from manufacturing to packaging, carbon use and recycling, however as the company’s annual environmental reports show it knows it has more to do.

Apple CEO on the circular economy

“We want to leave the earth better than we found it, and that means solving some really difficult issues. We’re carbon neutral as a company today, but by 2030 we want to be carbon neutral for everything inclusive of our supply chain and the product usage at our customers’ houses and offices and so forth,” said Apple CEO, Tim Cook.

“That’s a man-on-the-moon objective. Our long-run goal is to not have to take anything from the earth to make a product, and we’re crazy enough to think that we can do it.”

Contrast this with some of those lower cost manufacturers.

Those devices may seem to have advantages in terms of cost or ‘openness’, but those come at consequential environmental cost, not least in terms of water consumption for processor manufacturing or lack of effective recycling support. At present, 85% of e-waste still ends up in landfill, rather than being torn apart for valuable components, which really isn’t good enough.

Code red for making change

I’d argue that every manufacturer needs to put more energy into this.

After all, once the skewed arguments of the lobbyists are eventually rejected in a couple of generations, it will already be too late. It’s our children who will endure the consequences, even while the billionaire class sets up home on Mars, or wherever the elites choose to escape to.

Wherever they go, most of us won’t be going with them. And as the consistent failure of COP gatherings to deliver urgent change continues to show, we can’t leave it to those in power to make a difference.

Perhaps we never could.

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