Apple's 'Rigid and Exacting' Recycling Processes Focus on the 'After-Life of an iPhone'

in new article posted yesterday bloomberg, interesting details have been shared 1 of apple's secretive iphone recycling plants. detailing "after-life of iphone," piece focuses on plant located in industrial park in hong kong's yuen long district , run apple contractor li tong group, sole purpose deconstruction , recycling of iphones, ipads, , macs.

few unnamed sources described apple's recycling process "the rigid , exacting" when compared other technology companies hp , microsoft. apple typically exceeds industry benchmark of collecting , recycling 70 percent of devices produced 7 years prior, according lisa jackson, environmental affairs lead @ apple. it's known reach marks high 85 percent.

​

quote

"i think people expect of us, think our customers hold high standard," jackson said phone company's cupertino headquarters. "it's difficult, because these incredibly complex pieces of product."

click expand...

standard put company allocating equivalent of 9 million units of iphone 3gs 2009. yearly growth of iphone, subsequently resulting in more devices churn in future, has helped li tong group grow well, company expecting open new facility in san francisco soon. plant in hong kong holds 300 employees.

exact process of deconstructing iphone "is remarkably similar apple's production model, in reverse," after users trade in or recycle old iphone @ 1 of apple's own retail stores or online. unlike other companies salvage components aid in repair of broken devices, apple has "a full-destruction policy."

recycling process specific apple iphone scrap can't intermingle brand's devices, why recyclers build dedicated facilities cupertino-based company. apple regards process step in increased safety, since it's getting potentially hazardous materials out of hands of in public @ risk during unauthorized deconstruction.

​

graphic via bloomberg​

quote

apple pays service , owns every gram, used phone @ start pile of dust @ end, said linda li, chief strategy officer li tong. journey, consisting of 10 steps, controlled, measured , scripted through vacuum-sealed rooms designed capture 100 percent of chemicals , gasses released during process, said.

click expand...

process helps apple avoid abundance of counterfeit products flooding secondary markets. it's environmentally conscious feather in apple's cap, siphoning hazardous material within iphone repurposed reincarnations aluminum or glass tiles. "there's e-waste problem in world," jackson said. "if want leave world better found it, have invest in ways go further happens now."

check out bloomberg's full report on hong kong recycling plant more details on process.

article link: apple's 'rigid , exacting' recycling processes focus on 'after-life of iphone'

 

i'm pretty sure i've received @ least 1 recycled iphone...

 

Forums News and Article Discussion iOS Blog Discussion

• iPhone
• Mac OS & System Software
• iPad
• Apple Watch
• Notebooks
• iTunes
• Apple ID
• iCloud
• Desktop Computers
• Apple Music
• Professional Applications
• iPod
• iWork
• Apple TV
• iLife
• Wireless