Apple boosts sustainability push with 30% recycled materials in 2025

Apple’s latest environmental report highlights rising use of recycled materials, plastic-free packaging, and progress in waste, water, and clean energy initiatives, as the company advances toward its 2030 carbon neutrality target across operations and supply chain.

Apple has reported a significant milestone in its sustainability efforts, revealing that 30 percent of materials used in products shipped in 2025 were sourced from recycled inputs—the highest level the company has achieved so far. The update forms part of its latest environmental progress report, which outlines ongoing initiatives to reduce dependence on newly mined resources.

The company has expanded the use of recycled materials across key components. Batteries now incorporate fully recycled cobalt, while magnets are built using recycled rare earth elements. Additionally, efforts are underway to increase the use of recycled metals such as gold and tin in circuit boards. These changes reflect a broader strategy to scale manufacturing while lowering environmental impact.

A major shift has also taken place in packaging. Apple has transitioned to fibre-based packaging across its product range, eliminating plastic entirely. The company says this move has helped reduce plastic use significantly over the past five years, while also making packaging easier to recycle at home.

Focus on waste, water, and supply chain

Beyond product design, Apple is extending its sustainability goals across operations and its global supply chain. The company reported that a large share of waste generated at its facilities is now diverted away from landfills through recycling and reuse programmes. Some locations have already achieved near-zero waste levels.

Across its supplier network, Apple is encouraging similar practices. Hundreds of manufacturing partners are now part of its zero-waste initiative, contributing to large-scale waste diversion efforts. This indicates a shift toward embedding environmental responsibility deeper within production ecosystems.

Water conservation is another area of focus. Apple and its suppliers have collectively saved billions of gallons of freshwater, while also working toward replenishing the water used in corporate operations. The company aims to achieve full water replenishment in the coming years as part of its long-term sustainability roadmap.

Advancing recycling and low-carbon innovation

Apple is also investing in advanced recycling technologies to improve material recovery from used devices. Automated systems and machine learning-based tools are being deployed to enhance sorting and processing efficiency, enabling better reuse of valuable components.

On the product front, the company has introduced devices designed with lower carbon footprints. The latest MacBook Neo, for instance, features a high proportion of recycled content and incorporates manufacturing improvements aimed at reducing resource consumption.

While Apple reports a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to earlier years, it acknowledges that achieving its 2030 carbon neutrality target will require further progress, particularly across its supply chain and product lifecycle management.