At Apple, our commitment to the environment is second nature. Here are just a few of our recent achievements:
- MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air have highly recyclable aluminum and glass enclosures, mercury-free displays and arsenic-free display glass. Printed circuit boards, electrical components, mechanical parts, and internal cables are BFR-free and PVC-free.
- The MacBook family is designed to be energy efficient. For example, a 13-inch MacBook consumes only 14W in idle with the display on, less than a quarter of the consumption of a typical household 60W lightbulb, and far exceeds ENERGY STAR requirements.
- Energy-efficient LED display technology now ships with MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and the LED Cinema Display. The MacBook LED backlit display uses 30% less power compared to conventional CCFL-backlit displays.
- Between the first-generation and current-generation iMac, sleep-mode energy usage has decreased 93% thanks to improvements in CPU power management and increased hardware efficiency.
- The packaging for the fourth-generation iPod nano is 32% lighter and uses 54% less volume than the packaging for the first-generation iPod nano.
- Apple products are compliant with the European Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment, also known as the RoHS directive. Examples of materials restricted by RoHS include lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and PBB and PBDE flame retardants. As a result of our proactive approach to hazardous substances, Apple met many of the RoHS requirements long before the July 2006 deadline.
Year after year, Apple has set and met important goals to phase out environmentally harmful substances, create recycling programs worldwide, and improve energy efficiency. Here are some of the most important milestones in our quest for environmental responsibility:
- 2008
- MacBook Air is the first product to use mercury-free backlight technology with arsenic-free LCD display glass.
- 2008
- iPhone 3G ships with PVC-free handset, headphones, and USB cables; BFR-free printed circuit boards; and a mercury- and arsenic-free LCD display.
- 2007
- First products shipped with bromine-free printed circuit board laminates.
- 2007
- First MacBook Pro with mercury-free LED-backlit display.
- 2006
- Apple was the first computer manufacturer to entirely replace CRT displays with material- and energy-efficient LCDs.
- 2005
- Implementation of the Apple Supplier Code of Conduct, which governs environmental, health and safety, and human rights issues in Apple’s supply chain.
- 2004
- Investigation into BFR-free and PVC-free cable enclosures and printed circuit boards initiated.
- 2004
- Phase out of substances restricted by the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive initiated.
- 2003
- Implementation of supplier survey initiative on substance use.
- 2002
- Product takeback solutions implemented in the U.S. and Japan.
- 2002
- Roll out of Apple’s global Regulated Substances Specification.
- 2002
- Signatory of European Union Code of Conduct on Power Supplies, created to encourage manufacturers to design power supplies that minimize energy consumption in off mode.
- 2002
- Founding member of U.S. Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), which introduced energy efficiency requirements for the off mode of computer products.
- 2001
- All Apple computers and displays meet applicable ENERGY STAR requirements. They continue to do so.
- 2001
- Started voluntary phase out of tetrabisphenol A (TBBA) in all plastic enclosure parts >25 grams.
- 2000
- All Apple manufacturing sites ISO 14001 certified worldwide, signifying that Apple has a structured environmental management system (EMS) in place to manage the environmental impact of our operations.
- 1999
- Introduction of Apple Product Environmental Specifications (APES) files.
- 1999
- Lead and cadmium in cables restricted.
- 1997
- First Apple products tested for conformity to TCO (Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees) standards.
- 1996
- First Apple manufacturing site (Sacramento, California) ISO 14001 certified.
- 1995
- PVC in packaging materials phased out.
- 1994
- First voluntary Apple product takeback program initiated in Germany (gradual expansion to other regions).
- 1994
- Phase out of nickel-cadmium batteries.
- 1992
- Founding member of the U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR program, developed to identify and promote energy-efficient computers and monitors.
- 1992
- Phase out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in Apple manufacturing, as stipulated in the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer.
- 1991
- Phase out of lead in batteries in advance of the 1996 European battery directive.
- 1990
- Apple’s environmental policy released and implemented.