Apple Inc. plans to use only recycled cobalt in their batteries for their products by 2025, as part of their commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. Cobalt is a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries that are used in various products, including smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles, and is primarily mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where human rights violations and child labor have been reported in the mining process.
Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, said, “Every day, Apple is innovating to make technology that enriches people’s lives, while protecting the planet we all share. From the recycled materials in our products to the clean energy that powers our operations, our environmental work is integral to everything we make and to who we are. So we’ll keep pressing forward in the belief that great technology should be great for our users, and for the environment.”
Apple’s decision to embrace a sustainable business model through its broader goal to reduce its carbon footprint is a commendable step. It seeks to augment the usage of recycled materials in its products. In its latest Environmental Progress Report, the company has set an ambitious target to achieve a 75% reduction in carbon emissions from its products by 2030 compared to the 2015 levels.
“Our ambition to one day use 100 percent recycled and renewable materials in our products works hand in hand with Apple 2030: our goal to achieve carbon neutral products by 2030,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “We’re working toward both goals with urgency and advancing innovation across our entire industry in the process.”
Apple’s decision to transition to only recycled cobalt in its batteries is an exemplary move towards a sustainable future. It highlights the company’s willingness to take the necessary steps to reduce its environmental impact and act responsibly.
