Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

These wireless earphones result from plastic, recycled metals, and batteries. This model of AirPods is made with recycled gold, aluminum, tin, plastic, and other recycled rare earth elements. They use precise language to indicate which parts contain recycled materials but do not indicate that the entire product is made using 100% recycled materials. This section was still given a zero because the materials used to create an AirPod restrict the circularity of its life cycle.

The packaging is the most sustainable aspect of the product. The packaging is 98% or more fiber-based; 100% of virgin wood fiber comes from responsibly managed forests. Apple has reduced plastic in their packaging to 4%, whereas competitors like Samsung use 100% recycled packaging materials, eliminating all plastic within its smartphone boxes. Apple can step It up by reducing plastics in all packaging before 2025. ****

Most elements and materials used to manufacture an AirPod are sourced from conflict regions. The extraction of these materials is hugely energy-intensive and detrimental to the environment. The inherent properties of the materials and ingredients used are the biggest flaw of this product because the Airpod cannot be efficiently recycled due to the lithium-ion battery. The AirPods User Guide mentions instructions on free recycling. However, AirPods are not eligible for trade-ins. It is assumed since the product is not recyclable, its end-use holds no value. This might also be Apple’s self-admission that the product is a technology waste. Compared to other Apple products, the AirPods lacks information on its carbon footprint. Apple’s 2023 Environmental Progress Report notes that “throughout 2022, 100% percent of established final assembly sites —including AirPods— maintained zero-waste-to-landfill operations. This information is stated to have been third-party verified as Zero Waste by UL Solutions (UL 2799 Zero Waste to Landfill Environmental Claim Validation Procedure (ECVP). UL Solutions requires at least 90 percent diversion through methods other than waste-to-energy to achieve Zero Waste to Landfill. This information conflicts with Apple’s recycling program.

Apple has aRegulated Substances Specification describing Apple’s global requirements and restrictions on using certain chemical substances or materials in Apple products, accessories, manufacturing processes, and packaging used for shipping products to Apple’s end customers. These restrictions are derived from international laws or directives, regulatory agencies, eco-label requirements, environmental standards, and Apple policies. Apple notes that its restrictions may go beyond regulatory requirements. However, I believe this wording describes situations where the country may not ban a chemical, but the chemical used is banned in the US. For example, Apple restricts brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from its products, with the caveat that Power cords in Thailand, India, and South Korea contain PVC due to country-specific requirements. The AirPod Pro (2nd generation) is free of beryllium, brominated flame retardants (BFR), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and mercury.

The elements used to make AirPods are extracted from the earth, heated, refined, and manufactured into a plastic product small enough to fit into the palm of your hand. AirPods are manufactured in China and Vietnam. The manufacturing process gets a strong rating because over 300 manufacturers are committed to using 100% clean energy for their Apple production by 2030. Apple now requires all suppliers to commit to Apple’s Supplier Clean Energy Program to reduce their carbon emissions. This milestone brings Apple closer to its ambitious goal of being carbon-neutral across every product by 2030.

The primary issue of this product is the need for more recycling of the lithium-ion battery. Currently, the lithium-ion battery recycling industry is immature. Apple can improve the manufacturing of this product by changing the battery design.

As of March 2022, 213 manufacturing partners and suppliers in 25 countries have committed to 100% renewable electricity for Apple production through Apple’s Supplier Clean Energy Program. The third party, Apex Companies, verified the environmental benefits reported in the Supplier Clean Energy Program. As of March 2022, 213 manufacturing partners and suppliers in 25 countries have committed to 100% renewable electricity for Apple production through Apple’s Supplier Clean Energy Program. Apple has 785 suppliers in 31 countries. In 2022, Apple named 188 companies as major suppliers.

Apple’s emission reductions in manufacturing, specifically the electricity used to manufacture Apple products, are the most significant contributor to a more robust manufacturing rating. While 100% of the manufacturing uses clean energy, manufacturing is still energy-intensive, requiring a great deal of clean source energy. For example, 32% of Apple's clean energy Suppliers' renewable energy comes from solar, 56% from wind, and 12% from other renewable energy technologies. Apple also has a 17-megawatt solar installation at Apple Park, making its mark as the largest on-site solar facility in the world. Apple supports about 1.5 gigawatts of renewable electricity to power its corporate offices, data centers, and retail stores in 44 countries. China’s Clean Energy Fund enables Apple and its suppliers to invest in additional renewable electricity projects totaling nearly 500 megawatts of solar and wind in China and Japan to cover emissions from suppliers that Apple does not contract directly.

As of March 2023, the fund has invested in over 650 megawatts of renewable electricity projects, with nearly 100 percent of those investments online. While clean energy is the right choice for a sustainable future, it is essential to consider trade-offs to renewable energy technologies. Utility-scale solar farms impact land use, soil, waste, air, vegetation, wildlife, wildlife habitat, socioeconomic and environmental justice, and potential impacts from hazardous materials.

While Apple portrays a strong passion for the environment, consumers must acknowledge the tech giant is founded upon the practice of planned obsolescence. The method of planned obsolescence has made it possible for Apple to create new products from recycled parts because they have a surplus of old Apple products.

Apple is founded upon environmentally harmful practices, which allowed the tech giant to amass a vast fortune, enabling it to have the resources to recycle products and supply its clean energy via Apple-owned renewable energy technologies. The company is utilizing carbon credits rather than re-thinking product design. This seems to contribute to disingenuous ‘net zero’ and ‘carbon neutral’ claims based on misleading emissions offsetting practices rather than actual reductions. It's pretty inequitable that a company responsible for such a vast amount of tech waste can legally label many products ‘carbon neutral’ because of carbon credits instead of reducing environmental impacts within the product's life cycle. With over 90% of the company’s direct manufacturing spending on Apple’s Supplier Clean Energy Program, Apple is closer to its ambitious goal of being carbon neutral across every product by 2030. Labeling a product as carbon neutral seems unethical because of carbon credits despite the product being unrecyclable.

Many of their commitments to labor and human rights address past criticism and allegations Apple has faced over violations of its suppliers' labor practices. Apple works closely with the International Labour Organization and partners with the International Organization for Migration to advance worker rights in and beyond their supply chain. In 2022, Apple spent $50 million on a Supplier Employee Development Fund to strengthen programs that support worker voice, rights training, and educational and skill development opportunities. $1.6M was spent on ensuring supplier employees' working hours were reviewed weekly for compliance with strict labor standards. Apple’s product designs consider the safety of those who make, use, and recycle its products, restricting the use of hundreds of harmful substances. Apple’s report states they map the materials that make up their product, even some to the mineral source, and establish the strictest standards for smelters and refiners. Standards are vetted by 808 independent, third-party assessments of supplier facilities and 265 smelters and refiners in more than 50 countries. There is little information on the employee retention rate for its suppliers. However, Apple's employee retention rate has improved from 61% to 89% in two years. I think this change reflects Apple’s openness to feedback from its employees.

Substantial evidence supports Apple’s commitments to labor, human rights, health, safety, environment, and ethics. They acknowledge which parts of the product supply chain and processes are energy-intensive, carbon-intensive, and detrimental to the communities and ecosystems. Apple's commitment to the environment is apparent in their publicPeople and Environment in Our Supply Chain andEnvironmental Progress Report reports. These reports contain hundreds of actions, metrics, goals, and progress reports on their commitments. TheirPeople and Environment in Our Supply Chain opens with metrics to showcase how much Apple committed to each initiative