Apple’s commitment to sustainability extends to product materials. The company is discontinuing the use of leather across all product lines, replacing it with FineWoven, a textile made from 68 percent post-consumer recycled content. FineWoven offers both durability and elegance, available in products such as iPhone MagSafe cases, wallets, Magnetic Link, and Modern Buckle Apple Watch bands.
Recycled and renewable materials often have a lower carbon footprint than primary materials, aligning with Apple’s goal to use 100 percent recycled metals in key components by 2025. This includes 100 percent recycled rare earth magnets and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the batteries of iPhone 15, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The redesigned Sport Loop now contains 82 percent recycled yarn, incorporating material from discarded fishing nets. Additionally, Apple encourages customers to participate in its Trade In program, refurbishing or recycling devices to minimize environmental impact.
Reducing Transportation Emissions
Transporting products worldwide accounts for about 9 percent of Apple’s comprehensive carbon footprint. To reduce emissions, Apple is shifting more product volume to less carbon-intensive shipping modes like ocean or rail, which emit 95 percent fewer emissions compared to air transport. For carbon neutral Apple Watch models, at least 50 percent of combined weight will be shipped using non-air methods, nearly halving total transportation emissions. Additionally, the packaging of Apple Watch Series 9 and SE models has been redesigned for compactness, allowing for 25 percent more devices per shipment.
Apple remains committed to supporting efforts to decarbonize the shipping industry and seeks out innovations such as alternative fuels and electric vehicles.
