Apple has released its latest annual environmental report with new milestones achieved, including 100% recycled cobalt in batteries, 100% recycled rare earth elements in magnets, and more.
Its 2025 annual environmental report was a tale of the company being under pressure to reach its 2030 target despite the new energy requirements of AI. But for 2026, the company can now point to multiple milestones it has reached, specifically:
- 30% recycled materials across all devices
- 100% recycled cobalt in all batteries
- 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets
- 100% fiber-based packaging for all products
- Over 15,000 metric tons of plastic avoided since 2020
- 100% renewable energy powering global facilities
- 20+ gigawatts of renewable energy procured in supply chain
- 55% corporate water use replenished
- 17 billion gallons of water saved by suppliers
“At Apple, we believe deeply in leaving the world better than we found it, and that commitment runs across everything we do,” said Tim Cook, in a statement. “These milestones in our work to protect the planet show that ambitious goals can also be powerful engines of innovation. And as always, we’ll keep pushing to build on this progress even more.”
Apple notes that the move to 100% fibre-based packaging means it met its commitment to do so by 2025. It’s all part of the firm’s overall aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
The company also says that its cutting the use of 15,000 metric tons of plastic avoided since that environmental goal was announced in 2020, is the equivalent of 500 million plastic water bottles.
Adding recycling technology
Alongside using more recycled materials in its products, Apple says that during 2025 it launched new technology to recover more material from devices. It launched Cora, which it describes as a “new world-class electronics recycling line” at the Advanced Recovery Center in California.
Cora “uses precision shredding and advanced sensor technology” to increase material recovery rates. Apple says it also developed what it calls Automated Recycling Identification System (ARIS) for e-waste classification. ARIS uses deep learning, as detailed in a February 2026 research paper.
Apple has released the figures in its latest Environmental Progress Report, which is now available in full.
“Across every part of our business, we’re showing how innovation and collaboration can turn big ideas and bold ambitions into measurable progress,” said Sabih Khan, Apple’s chief operating officer. “From expanding recycled material to removing plastic from our packaging, we’re setting new benchmarks that inspire us to reach further and work even harder for the good of people and planet.”
Source: www.appleinsider.com
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