Apple's Green Steps More Real, 30 Percent of Recycled Materials Used in All Products

JAKARTA - Technology company Apple has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental sustainability by setting a new record for the use of recycled materials across its product lines. In its latest 2026 annual environmental report, Apple revealed that 30 percent of the materials used now come from recycled sources.

This achievement is part of Apple's big move towards an ambitious carbon neutral target by 2030, amid increasing energy needs due to technology expansion such as artificial intelligence (AI).

In the report, Apple detailed a number of important milestones that were achieved throughout 2025 to early 2026. All batteries now use 100 percent recycled cobalt, while the magnets in Apple devices are entirely made from rare earth elements from recycling.

Not only that, Apple has also switched completely to fiber-based packaging for all its products, fulfilling a commitment that was previously targeted to be achieved by 2025.

Efforts to reduce plastic also show a real impact. Since 2020, Apple claims to have avoided using more than 15,000 metric tons of plastic, equivalent to about 500 million plastic water bottles.

On the energy side, all of Apple's global facilities are now powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Meanwhile, its supply chain has secured more than 20 gigawatt of clean energy.

Commitment and Innovation Go Hand in Hand

Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasized that this achievement is the result of the company's long-term commitment to the environment.

"At Apple, we strongly believe in leaving the world in a better state than we found it, and that commitment is reflected in everything we do," Cook said. "This milestone shows that ambitious goals can also be a powerful driver of innovation."

Apple also reported that 55 percent of corporate water use has been successfully restored, while its suppliers have saved up to 17 billion gallons of water.

Recycling Technology is Getting More Advanced

In addition to increasing the use of recycled materials, Apple is also strengthening electronic waste processing technology. In 2025, the company launched a new recycling system called Cora at the Advanced Recovery Center, California.

This technology uses precision crushing methods and advanced sensors to increase the material recovery rate of old devices. Apple is also developing an artificial intelligence-based electronic waste classification system called the Automated Recycling Identification System (ARIS).

The ARIS system uses deep learning to identify and sort electronic components more accurately, as explained in a research released in February 2026.

Apple Chief Operating Officer, Sabih Khan, called this innovation as proof that collaboration and technology can drive real change.

"Across our business lines, we're showing how innovation and collaboration can turn big ideas into measurable progress," Khan said.

The Pressure of AI and the Path to 2030

Despite recording significant progress, Apple still faces major challenges, especially from the surge in energy needs due to AI development. However, the company confirmed that it would continue to promote efficiency and the use of clean energy.

Apple's move shows that sustainability is not just an image strategy, but has become a core part of the global technology company's business model. In the midst of spotlighting the environmental impact of the digital industry, Apple is trying to play a new benchmark role - even though the road to carbon neutrality by 2030 is still long and challenging.

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