Apple announced significant progress toward its 2030 carbon neutral goal today, revealing that 75% of all cobalt used across its product lineup now comes from recycled materials . the highest percentage the company has ever achieved.
What’s Actually Changing
The milestone represents a major shift in how Apple sources materials for products from iPhone and Mac to Apple Watch and accessories. The company says this achievement came through new partnerships with recycling suppliers and improved material recovery processes.
Beyond cobalt, Apple reported progress across other key materials:
- Rare earth elements: 95% recycled across all products
- Tungsten: 90% recycled in iPhone and Apple Watch
- Gold: 80% recycled in circuit boards and cables
- Aluminum: 70% recycled in MacBook and iPad enclosures
New Partnerships Drive Progress
Apple expanded its supplier network to include three new certified recycling partners in North America and Europe. These facilities can recover high-purity materials that meet Apple’s strict quality standards . previously a major barrier to using recycled components at scale.
The company also invested in improved disassembly technology, including an updated version of its “Daisy” robot that can now recover cobalt from older iPhone models dating back to the iPhone 8.
Why This Matters for the Industry
Cobalt mining has long been associated with environmental concerns and labor issues, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo where much of the world’s supply originates. Apple’s shift toward recycled cobalt could pressure other tech companies to follow suit.
“When you’re buying at Apple’s scale, these decisions ripple through the entire supply chain,” said environmental analyst Sarah Chen from the Clean Tech Institute. “Suppliers invest in recycling infrastructure because Apple guarantees demand.”
2030 Carbon Neutral Timeline
Today’s announcement puts Apple ahead of schedule on several 2030 commitments. The company originally projected reaching 75% recycled cobalt by 2028, beating that target by two years.
Remaining challenges include:
- Lithium recycling: Currently at 35%, target 85% by 2030
- Steel: 45% recycled, target 90% by 2030
- Plastic components: 25% recycled, target 60% by 2030
Apple says all product categories . iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and accessories . will be carbon neutral by 2030 through a combination of recycled materials, renewable energy, and supply chain improvements.
The Bigger Picture
The recycling milestone comes as environmental regulations tighten globally. The EU’s upcoming “right to repair” legislation and similar rules in California are pushing tech companies toward more sustainable practices.
For consumers, Apple’s recycling efforts translate to the same product quality while reducing environmental impact. The company maintains that recycled materials meet identical performance standards to newly mined alternatives.
Apple’s Environmental Progress Report provides detailed breakdowns of recycling achievements across all product lines, updated quarterly.