The packaging for the new Apple Watch and band lineup is 100 percent fibre-based, a first for Apple, furthering the company’s goal to use plastic-free packaging by 2025.
In a significant step toward achieving its environmental goals, Apple has unveiled a range of initiatives designed to reduce its carbon footprint. As part of its “Apple 2030” vision, the tech giant is making substantial changes to its products and packaging. In a press release, Apple announced the end of leather use in all its product lines, the introduction of entirely fiber-based packaging for the new Apple Watch lineup, and an expanded utilization of recycled materials in the iPhone. Additionally, a new Home app tool called Grid Forecast has been introduced to help users make more sustainable energy choices.
Apple’s commitment to environmental sustainability has been unwavering, and these latest efforts underscore their dedication to leading the fight against climate change. Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, stated, “At Apple, we have a longstanding and proven commitment to leading the fight against climate change. Our focus on renewable energy and low-carbon design has already driven industry-leading emissions reductions, and we’re not slowing down.”
Innovating in Low-Carbon Design
Apple has long been a pioneer in using recycled materials in its products, thanks to world-class product engineering, rigorous design qualification, and unparalleled supply chain expertise. The latest products introduced by the company build on these achievements.
To further reduce their environmental impact, Apple is discontinuing the use of leather across all their product lines, including iPhone accessories and Apple Watch bands. Leather will be replaced with a new textile known as FineWoven, an elegant and durable twill made from 68 percent post-consumer recycled content. FineWoven boasts a subtle luster and a soft, suede-like feel. It is available on iPhone MagSafe cases and wallets, as well as the Magnetic Link and Modern Buckle Apple Watch bands.
The shift to recycled and renewable materials aligns with Apple’s goal to minimize its carbon footprint. FineWoven, the new material replacing leather, has significantly lower emissions compared to the more carbon-intensive leather. This initiative, coupled with the introduction of the new iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch lineup, represents significant progress toward Apple’s 2025 targets for the use of 100 percent recycled metals in key components.
Towards Plastic-Free Packaging
Apple is also making strides toward achieving plastic-free packaging by 2025. Notably, the company has introduced 100 percent fiber-based packaging for the new Apple Watch and band lineup. In fact, the packaging for every iPhone 15 model is now over 99 percent fiber-based.
Furthermore, the packaging of all Apple Watch Series 9 and SE models has been revamped for compactness. The new design allows for 25 percent more devices to be shipped in each consignment, reducing waste and the company’s overall carbon footprint.
Apple’s continued commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship serves as a testament to the company’s dedication to making a positive impact on the planet. These innovative measures not only reduce Apple’s environmental footprint but also set a standard for the tech industry’s approach to sustainability. As the world seeks solutions to combat climate change, Apple’s strides in low-carbon design, recycled materials, and eco-friendly packaging provide a shining example for others to follow.
As part of Apple 2030 and the company’s broader environmental efforts, Apple has also ended the use of leather across all of its product lines, announced its first entirely fiber-based packaging for the new Apple Watch lineup,2 and continued to expand the use of recycled materials in iPhone. The company also introduced a new tool in the Home app called Grid Forecast,3 which helps inform users when their power grid has cleaner energy available, so they can decide when to use electricity.
“At Apple, we have a longstanding and proven commitment to leading the fight against climate change. Our focus on renewable energy and low-carbon design has already driven industry-leading emissions reductions, and we’re not slowing down,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “We’ve achieved an important milestone in making the world’s most popular watch carbon neutral — and we will keep innovating to meet the urgency of the moment.”
Innovating in Low-Carbon Design
Apple has pioneered the use of many key recycled materials in its products through world-class product engineering, extensive design qualification, and supply chain expertise. The new products announced today build on these achievements.
To further reduce impact on the planet, Apple is ending the use of leather across all of its product lines, including iPhone accessories and Apple Watch bands. The company will replace leather with a new textile called FineWoven, an elegant and durable twill made from 68 percent post-consumer recycled content. FineWoven offers a subtle luster and a soft, suedelike feel, and is available on iPhone MagSafe cases and wallets as well as the Magnetic Link and Modern Buckle Apple Watch bands.
As recycled and renewable materials often have a lower carbon footprint than primary materials, Apple’s industry-leading progress in the use of recycled content also advances the company’s Apple 2030 goal. The new FineWoven material has significantly lower emissions compared to the more carbon-intensive leather, and both the new iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch lineups advance progress toward the company’s 2025 targets for the use of 100 percent recycled metals in key components.
Apple is also accelerating progress toward plastic-free packaging by 2025. In addition to achieving the first 100 percent fiber-based packaging for the new Apple Watch and band lineup, the packaging for every iPhone 15 model is over 99 percent fiber-based.
Additionally, the packaging of all Apple Watch Series 9 and SE models has been redesigned for compactness, with a new, smaller shape that allows for 25 percent more devices per shipment.