Social relevance

project on

“Greener Apple”

Submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of

Master of Management Studies (MMS)

(Under University of Mumbai)

Submitted by

Govinda Jagtap

(ROLL NO: 058)

Under The Guidance of

Prof. Dr. Sandeep Chopde

2021-23
MET Institute of Management
 Social relevance
project on

“Greener Apple”

Submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of

Master of Management Studies (MMS)

(Under University of Mumbai)

Submitted by

Govinda Jagtap

(ROLL NO: 058)

Under The Guidance of

Prof. Dr. Sandeep Chopde

2021-23
MET Institute of Management

ii
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that project titled “Greener Apple” is successfully completed by Mr.
Govinda Jagtap during the IV Semester, in partial fulfillment of the Master’s Degree in
Management Studies recognized by the University of Mumbai for the academic year
2021 through 2023 This project work was original and not submitted earlier for the
award of any degree / diploma or associateship of any other University/ Institution.

Name: Prof. Dr. Sandeep Chopde

Date: 21/04/2023 (Signature of Guide)

iii
 DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this Project Report submitted by me to the University of

Mumbai is a bonafide work undertaken by me and it is not submitted to any
other University or Institution for the award of any degree diploma/ certificate
or published any time before.

Name: Govinda Jagtap

Date: 21/04/2023 (Signature of Student)

iv
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I wish to take this opportunity to express of deep appreciation to Prof. Dr. Sandeep Chopde, Controller

of Examination for providing his valuable guidance, training, giving insights, comments &

suggestions, and overall support towards the completion of this project successfully.

I wish to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to Dr. Swati Lodha, Director, MET

IOM and Dr. Nitin Kulkarni, Course Coordinator, MMS who have helped, encouraged, inspired

and enlightened me with their constructive ideas and overall support towards the completion of this

project successfully. I want to thank Mumbai Educational Trust Institute of Management, Mumbai

for giving me this opportunity and to gain theoretical and practical knowledge through this work. Last

but not the least, I would thank all my friends who have directly or indirectly helped me to complete

the paper.

Name of Student : Govinda Jagtap

Signature :

Date : 21/04/2023

v
 Table of Contents

Sr. No. Contents Page No.

Title page i
I Certificate ii
II Declaration iii
III Acknowledgement iv
IV Company certificate v
Table of Content, and vi
List of Table vii
List of Figures viii
1 Introduction 1
2 Pollution generated by mobile phone manufacturing 4
3 Mobile phone manufacturing process 7
4 Apple’s Innovative solutions towards reducing Emission 9
5 Improving manufacturing efficiency 10
6 Using recycled materials 11
7 Operating Efficiency 12
8 New projects 15
9 Advanced renewal electricity 18
10 Helping suppliers to adopt sustainability 19
11 Innovative packaging 31
12 Data analysis and interpretation 33
13 Conclusion 35
14 Bibliography 36

vi
 List of Figures

Sr. No. Figures Page No.

1 Global CO2 Emission chart 3
2 Co2 Emission in advance countries 5
3 Co2 Emission on emerging countries 5
4 Annual change in C02 emissions by sector. 2021 6
5 Apple’s recycle process 23
6 Apple's transition to recycled materials by product line: 25

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Chapter 1 : Introduction

Carbon Emission:

A carbon footprint (or greenhouse gas footprint) is a "certain amount of gaseous emissions
that are relevant to climate change and associated with human production or consumption
activities". The carbon footprint may also be stated as the carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e),
which is intended to represent the sum of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions brought on by
a person, event, business, service, location, or product. In other situations, just carbon dioxide
emissions—not those of any other greenhouse gases—are taken into consideration. Burning
fossil fuels, clearing land, and the production and consumption of food, manufactured goods,
materials, wood, roads, buildings, transportation, and other services can all result in the
release of greenhouse gases, including the carbon-containing gases carbon dioxide and
methane.

It is feasible to determine the carbon footprints of regions, cities, and neighbourhoods in

addition to entire countries.

In 2014, each person's annual global carbon footprint was equivalent to around 5 tonnes
CO2e. A typical American has a carbon footprint of 16 tonnes. One of the highest rates ever
recorded.

Household carbon footprint calculators were first used in 2005 when oil major BP hired the
advertising firm Ogilvy to develop a marketing campaign. According to critics, the goal of
this "effective propaganda" was to shift the burden of responsibility for the pollution that
causes climate change away from corporations and institutions and onto individual lifestyle
choices.

carbon footprint: "Measure of the exclusive total amount of emissions of carbon dioxide
(CO2 ) that is directly and indirectly caused by an activity or is accumulated over the
lifecycle stages of a product."

The concept of carbon footprint is used to quantify the impact of human activities on the
environment and climate change. Greenhouse gases, such as CO2, trap heat in the Earth's
atmosphere and contribute to the warming of the planet, leading to climate change and its
associated impacts.

Carbon footprint includes both direct and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases. Direct
emissions are those that come from sources that are owned or controlled by an individual or
organization, such as emissions from burning fossil fuels for heating or transportation.
1
Indirect emissions are those that come from sources that are not owned or controlled by an
individual or organization, such as emissions from the production of goods and services that
are consumed by the individual or organization.

Carbon footprint can be calculated at various levels, including individual, organizational, or

national levels. Calculating carbon footprint involves identifying and quantifying the sources
of greenhouse gas emissions associated with a particular activity or entity, such as
transportation, energy use, or production processes. Once these emissions are quantified, they
can be converted to carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) and added together to determine the
total carbon footprint.

Reducing carbon footprint is essential to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Strategies for
reducing carbon footprint include reducing energy consumption, increasing the use of
renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting more sustainable
practices in manufacturing and transportation. By reducing carbon footprint, individuals,
organizations, and nations can play a significant role in addressing the global challenge of
climate change.

Scope 1 Carbon Emission:

Scope 1 carbon emissions refer to the direct emissions of greenhouse gases that occur from
sources that are owned or controlled by an organization, such as emissions from fuel
combustion in boilers, generators, and vehicles. These emissions are generated from sources
that are within an organization's physical boundaries and are considered to be under its direct
operational control. Understanding and reducing Scope 1 emissions is crucial in mitigating an
organization's carbon footprint and its impact on the environment. By identifying sources of
direct emissions and implementing strategies to reduce them, organizations can take an
important step towards a more sustainable future.

Scope 2 Carbon Emission:

Scope 2 carbon emissions refer to indirect greenhouse gas emissions that result from the
consumption of purchased electricity, heat, or steam. These emissions occur outside of a
company's direct control, but they are still part of the company's carbon footprint. Scope 2
emissions are a significant contributor to a company's overall carbon footprint, particularly for
companies that operate in energy-intensive industries. Measuring and reducing Scope 2
emissions is a crucial part of any company's efforts to reduce their environmental impact and
mitigate climate change.

Scope 3 Carbon Emission:

2
Scope 3 carbon emissions refer to greenhouse gas emissions that occur in the value chain of a
company's products or services, including emissions from suppliers, transportation, product
use, and disposal. These emissions are often the largest source of a company's carbon
footprint and can account for up to 80% of their total emissions. Measuring and reducing
Scope 3 emissions is becoming increasingly important for companies to address their
environmental impact and achieve sustainability goals. Understanding and managing these
emissions throughout the value chain can lead to more sustainable practices and a more
significant positive impact on the environment

3
Chapter 2: Pollution generated by Mobile Phone manufacturing.

Mobile phone manufacturing has become a major contributor to environmental pollution due
to the significant amount of resources required to produce the devices. The extraction and
processing of raw materials used in mobile phone manufacturing result in greenhouse gas
emissions and contribute to air and water pollution. The disposal of electronic waste
generated by mobile phones can also have a harmful impact on the environment and human
health, as it often contains hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. The
production of electronic waste is rapidly increasing, creating a growing concern for the
industry and the environment. As such, there is a need to assess and address the
environmental impact of mobile phone manufacturing and disposal. Understanding the extent
of the problem and its environmental impact is necessary to identify ways to mitigate the
negative consequences.

A phone’s birth is the most contaminating part of its life cycle: around 80% of each device’s
carbon footprint is generated at the manufacturing stage. This is due to the mining, refining,
transport and assembly of the dozens of chemical elements that make up cutting-edge tech:
iron for the speakers and microphones, aluminium and magnesium for the frames and screen,
copper, silver and gold for the electronic circuits, graphite and lithium for the batteries, silicon
for the processor, and lead and tin for the solderings.

Those are just the most recognisable elements. Nearly all phones also require 16 of the
17 rare-earth metals. These are substances like neodymium and terbium which are not
actually all that rare — however they are scattered in small concentrations across the planet,
which makes their isolation costly. China is their main exporter.

Smartphones generate more greenhouse gases than any other consumer electronic devices,
although their carbon footprint is modest compared to the main perpetrators of global
warming, namely the energy sector and transportation. Even so, mining for components is
deeply problematic, because besides contaminating the atmosphere, the process destroys
ecosystems and generates tailings, toxic byproducts which seep into the soil and water.

Deloitte Global calculated that smartphones—the world’s most popular consumer electronics
device, have an installed base of 4.5 billion in 2021—that generated 146 million tons of CO2
or equivalent emissions (CO2e) in 2022. This is less than half a percent of the 34 gigatons of
total CO2e emitted globally in 2021.

4
 Chart No. 1

Above chart shows the rising trend in Global Co2 Emission from the year 1980 to year 2022.

Chart No. 2

Above chart shows the rise of Co2 Emission in emerging countries eg. India and China. This
chart states the comparative analysis of the difference of two Co2 producing countries.

5
 Chart No. 3

Chart no. 3 shows the Co2 emission of advance economies from year 2000 to 2021.

6
Chapter 3 : stages in the mobile phone manufacturing process that
contribute to its carbon footprint.

1. Extraction and processing of raw materials:

The extraction and processing of raw materials for mobile phone manufacturing involve a
series of resource-intensive processes that emit greenhouse gases. For example, mining and
refining metals like copper, aluminum, and gold require significant energy inputs and generate
emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. Similarly, the production of plastics and glass
involves the extraction and processing of petroleum and other non-renewable resources,
which results in significant emissions of greenhouse gases. These emissions contribute to the
carbon footprint of mobile phone manufacturing and its environmental impact, emphasizing
the need for sustainable material sourcing and responsible resource management.

2. Manufacturing Of Components:

The manufacturing of components for mobile phones requires additional energy and emits
greenhouse gases, as it involves a series of complex processes. For instance, the production of
circuit boards involves the application of various chemicals and materials to create the desired
connections and functionality. These processes typically require a significant amount of
energy, which can result in carbon emissions and contribute to climate change. Similarly, the
production of screens and batteries requires a range of energy-intensive processes, including
the use of hazardous chemicals and materials that can have negative impacts on the
environment and human health. To mitigate the environmental impact of manufacturing
components, sustainable practices and responsible resource management can be implemented
to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Assembly of the phone:

The final stage of mobile phone manufacturing is the assembly of components into the final
product. This stage also requires energy and emits additional greenhouse gases due to the use
of energy-intensive processes, such as welding, soldering, and adhesives. Additionally, the
transportation of components and final products across various locations also contributes to
emissions of greenhouse gases. These emissions can result in climate change and its
associated negative impacts on the environment and human health. Implementing sustainable
practices in the assembly process, such as the use of renewable energy sources and the
adoption of eco-friendly transportation methods, can reduce the carbon footprint of mobile
phone manufacturing. By reducing emissions during assembly, the industry can minimize its
impact on the environment and move towards a more sustainable future.
7
 4. Transportation:

Transportation is a significant contributor to the carbon footprint of mobile phone

manufacturing. Once the final product is assembled, the mobile phones need to be transported
to distribution centers and retailers across the globe. This requires energy and emits
greenhouse gases due to the use of vehicles and airplanes, which are often powered by fossil
fuels. Additionally, the packaging of the products can also contribute to the emissions of
greenhouse gases during transportation. Reducing the impact of transportation requires
sustainable practices, such as the use of renewable energy sources for vehicles and the
adoption of eco-friendly packaging materials. By implementing sustainable transportation
practices, the industry can reduce its carbon footprint and mitigate its negative impact on the
environment.

5. Water waste:

Water waste is a significant environmental issue associated with mobile phone manufacturing.
The manufacturing process requires vast amounts of water, which is used for various purposes
such as cooling, cleaning, and chemical processing. However, much of this water is
discharged as waste and can contain harmful chemicals and materials that can pollute
waterways and harm aquatic life. In addition, water scarcity is a growing concern in many
parts of the world, and inefficient water use can exacerbate this problem. As the demand for
mobile phones continues to rise, it is crucial to address water waste in manufacturing to
ensure a sustainable future.

8
Chapter 4: Apple’s innovative solutions towards reducing Emission.

100 percent renewable electricity for facility:

Since April 2020, Apple has been carbon neutral for corporate emissions, including direct
emissions (scope 1), electricity-related emissions (scope 2), as well as emissions from
business travel and employee commute (scope 3). To reach neutrality, apple focused on
driving energy efficiency improvements and transitioning facilities to 100 percent renewable
electricity, which apple has achieved in 2018. These programs have reduced our scope 1 and
scope 2 emissions by 67 percent, even as our business grew. apple has addressed the
remaining scope 1 and 2 emissions, as well as scope 3 emissions from business travel and
employee commute (for a total of 167,000 metric tons) by securing high-quality carbon
credits from projects that protect and restore forests, wetlands, and grasslands.

Continuously evaluating climate risk

apple has conducted a climate scenario analysis to help them better understand the potential
physical and transition effects of climate change. To align with the Task Force on Climate
Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations, apple considered a range of future
scenarios, including a scenario below 2°C. And assessed geographies around the world to
capture both corporate and supplier activities. The analysis highlighted how apples renewable
energy program and carbon neutrality goals could contribute to corporate resiliency. It also
provided environmental data that we consider in developing business strategies, including
considerations around supply chain diversification, as well as safeguarding global assets.

9
Improving material and manufacturing efficiency:

By reducing the amount of materials used to make products, apple reduce the emissions from
transporting and processing these materials, and limit the amount of scrap generated along the
way. And as apple progress toward their 2030 carbon neutrality goal, apple continue to
investigate new materials and new ways to manufacture efficiently. In 2021, apple continued
to improve the carbon efficiency of the integrated circuits it use in products — components
they have prioritized because they are carbon-intensive. Integrated circuits perform vital
functions in electronic devices, yet require significant energy to manufacture. With the Apple
M1 chip, Apple has created a more efficiently designed chip built specifically for Mac
devices. For example, switching to the Apple M1 chip for the 13-inch MacBook Pro reduced
the energy needed to manufacture and use the device, driving down the product’s carbon
footprint by over 8 percent.

Join hands with IMEC for sustainability:

To take these efforts one step further, in October 2021, Apple became the first public company
to join the Sustainable Semiconductor Technologies and Systems research program of IMEC,
a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies.
Apple's goal in collaborating is twofold: to improve the data associated with integrated circuit
production, from end to end; and to use improved data and shared expertise to identify carbon
reduction opportunities for the entire integrated circuits industry. And apple continue to
investigate new opportunities for improved efficiency across product manufacturing
processes. In 2021, Apple invested in research and development projects aimed at creating
less waste in the processing of materials, reducing machining time and the associated energy
used, more efficiently transforming material into the shapes it needs, and maximizing
recovery and reprocessing of manufacturing scrap. Once successfully developed, apple plan to
deploy these improved processes at scale at our supplier facilities.

Using recycled materials:

to lower product footprint Material selection is another way to reduce the carbon footprint of
products. Apple's strategy is to transition to materials manufactured using low-carbon energy
and recycled content. Apple prioritized materials and components that make up a large part of
carbon footprint to move us closer to goal of product carbon neutrality. Apple has seen clear
progress with aluminum, which in 2015 represented over a quarter of product manufacturing
footprint. Apple also continued to expand our use of 100 percent recycled aluminum in the
enclosures of a number of products: All iPad models in our lineup now use 100 percent
recycled aluminum in their enclosures — joining Apple Watch Series 7t Apple Watch SE,
10
MacBook Air, Mac minit and the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro devices. For products
released in 2021 that had enclosures made with primary aluminum, we prioritized the use of
aluminum smelter using low-carbon sources of electricity rather than fossil fuels — for a
lower carbon impact. These changes alone have decreased the carbon emissions associated
with our use of aluminum by 68 percent since 2015. We're also making progress in how we
source recycled aluminum. The material derive from manufacturing

scrap provides high-quality aluminum with fewer associated carbon emissions than newly
mined materials. And we're expanding our sourcing to include post-consumer recycled
aluminum from building and construction scrap that meets the high standards products
require. These emissions reduction efforts have driven down our aluminum-related emissions
to less than 9 percent of our product manufacturing footprint, compared with 27 percent in
2015.

Driving product energy efficiency:

Apple approach low carbon product design

by working to enhance performance, while
pursuing energy efficiency. Product energy
use accounts for 22 percent of gross
carbon footprint — and has an impact on
the individual energy use of each of
Apple's customers. This is why apple set
aggressive targets to reduce their products’
energy usage. Apple approach this
challenge in the earliest phases of design,
taking a holistic view of each product from
how efficiently software operates to the
power requirements of individual
components. With each generation of
products, Apple make improvements to
energy efficiency. The transition to Apple
silicon on Mac devices, for example,
continues to drive these improvements —
the Mac mini consumes up to 60 percent
less energy while in active use than the
previous generation. Apple've cut the

11
product energy use across all major product lines by more than 70 percent since 2008 through
their energy efficiency improvements. And Apple products are consistently rated by ENERGY
STAR, which sets specifications that reflect the 25 percent most energy-efficient devices on
the market. In fiscal year 2021, over 99 percent of Apple eligible products, by revenue,
received an ENERGY STAR rating for superior energy efficiency. And over 99 percent of
Apple eligible products, by revenue, met the requirements for EPEAT registration. EPEAT,
another environmental rating system for electronic products, considers energy efficiency as
well as a number of other environmental criteria.

Operating Apple facilities efficiently:

Energy efficiency is also essential to meeting the 2030 carbon neutrality goal. So apple track
and monitor energy use across thier operations and supply chain, conducting audits to find
opportunities to work more efficiently. And thay view that energy use holistically, from the
point of design to the point of manufacture.

Apple conducted a comprehensive retrocommissioning of one section of campus in

Cupertino, California, over the past several years. This effort was a partnership between our
Apple Energy and Controls teams with significant support from the local energy utility. In the
site audit, we uncovered several opportunities for energy efficiency, including optimizing
HVAC scheduling and start sequences, and improving outside air economizer operation.
These adjustments resulted in energy savings of over 670,000 kilowatt-hours per year, with
a simple payback of just under four months.

Data centers are traditionally energy-intensive, requiring significant resources to cool the
heat-generating equipment. That’s why apple continuously monitoring and improving upon
the controls for cooling systems. This retrospective view often enables us to increase cooling
capacity of existing facility, thereby maximizing the amount of servers within our data center
footprint.

Apple further improved energy efficiency at data centers by developing a specification

requiring servers to be powered by high-efficiency power supplies — exceeding even the
efficiency requirements for ENERGY STAR certification. Thay deployed these high-
performance power supplies to hundreds of thousands of servers in 2021, resulting in over 4

12
million kilowatt-hours per year in energy savings.

Apple's utility meters that continuously monitor 15-minute electricity and daily natural gas
energy consumption. This method helps them to identify performance issues at sites early.
throught that they can take corrective action to restore building system efficiencies and

actively manage energy footprint.

In fiscal year 2021, Apple energy efficiency program avoided an additional 15.7 million
kilowatt-hours of electricity and 27,000 therms of natural gas per year through
adjustments made to 7.1 million square feet of new and existing buildings. Together, these
new initiatives reduced total energy use by 7 percent in targeted buildings and will avoid an
additional 6,100 metric tons of CO2e per year. Combined with ongoing energy savings from
past years, Apple are now cumulatively saving over 60,000 metric tons of CO2e in fiscal
year 2021. In addition to these savings, Apple further reduced its energy use by adjusting
lighting and climate controls during the periods of reduced occupancy resulting from the
COVID-19 pandemic.

Efficiency in Supply Chain by Implementing “Supplier Energy Efficiency Program”:

The energy used to manufacture Apple products accounts for 70 percent of Apple’s gross
carbon footprint. To address this impact, they collaborating closely with their suppliers to
prioritize energy reductions and efforts to shift to renewable energy sources.

Apple launched their Supplier Energy Efficiency Program in 2015 with the goal of helping
suppliers optimize their facilities and operations to use as little energy as possible. Finding
energy efficiencies reduces the energy intensity of manufacturing, which translates to reduced
direct carbon emissions. Apple provide guidance designed to help suppliers uncover
opportunities for energy efficiency. Apple also assist them with assessments and technical
support where appropriate. Typical projects may include replacing outdated or inefficient
heating, cooling, and lighting systems; repairing compressed air leaks; and recovering waste
heat.

Apple's three-year initiative to improve the efficiency of iPhone manufacturing. Collectively,

the six participating supplier facilities achieved their goal of 20 percent reductions by the end
of 2020 compared with the 2017 baseline. In addition, final assembly sites for AirPods, iPad,
and Apple Watch all launched multiyear energy reduction initiatives in 2020.

Reducing energy use begins with measuring and understanding the carbon footprint of one’s
business. Since 2019, as part of Apple’s Supplier Code of Conduct, Apple required their

13
suppliers to regularly identify sources of emissions, measure their scope 1 and scope 2 carbon
emissions, and make this information available to Apple as needed. By understanding the
sources and quantity of a supplier’s carbon emissions, Apple are able to provide resources to
support the supplier in creating an action plan with the goal of becoming optimally energy
efficient.

Creation of “Asia Green Fund”:

Apple also provide broad support to suppliers through workshops and trainings, including
multiday classroom trainings for employees, resulting in plans for energy efficiency measures
to be implemented at their respective facilities. They continue to expand the support apple
provide to suppliers as they build more energy-efficient systems, through new training and
educational materials, and increased access to funding opportunities like the Asia Green Fund,
which Apple launched in 2019 to help provide energy efficiency expertise and finance capital
intensive energy efficiency projects. To date, US$8.5 million of investments have been made
in supplier efficiency projects using the Asia Green Fund.

Working with suppliers to reduce their energy consumption, apple avoided more than 1.15
million metric tons of carbon from manufacturing Apple products in fiscal year 2021.
That year, more than 100 supplier facilities participated in apple’s Supplier Energy Efficiency
Program, actively tracking and reporting on more than 2000 projects, a 39 percent increase
since the prior year.

14
Renewable Electricity for corporate offices and more:

Apple has generated or sourced 100 percent renewable electricity for its corporate operations
since 2018 and are now committed to transitioning their entire supply chain to 100 percent
renewable electricity as well. As they grow, they continue to bring new renewable electricity
projects online around the world. In the long term, these projects provide more cost-effective
energy with less price volatility. Renewable electricity can offer a competitive advantage by
providing power to their operations, as well as those of suppliers, with greater control over
energy supply and reduced exposure to cost fluctuations.

New Projects:

Apple focus on creating new renewable electricity projects. New projects require investment
whether in the form of direct ownership, equity investments, or long-term power purchase
agreements. In total, Apple-created renewable sources account for over 90 percent of the
renewable electricity our facilities use around 1.5 gigawatts currently in use.

• Direct ownership:

(~9 percent of Apple-created projects)

Apple build own projects, including solar, biogas fuel cells, and low-impact hydro projects,
where feasible, to provide renewable electricity

15
16
 • Equity investment:

(~3 percent of Apple-created projects)

Apple invest capital in new solar PV or wind projects in some markets, matching the
renewable energy generated with energy use.

• Long-term renewable energy contracts:

(~87 percent of Apple-created projects)

Apple sign long-term contracts for renewable electricity when needed. Through power
purchase agreements, virtual power purchase agreements, and other forms of long-term
commitments, Apple help support new, local, and primarily solar PV and wind projects in line
with our renewable energy sourcing standards.

17
Advancing renewable electricity:

In fiscal year 2021, a Denmark-based wind energy project that Apple had supported became
operational. It features two 200-meter-tall turbines, the world’s largest, that are expected to
produce 62 gigawatt-hours each year enough to power almost 20,000 homes. The power
produced onsite will support Apple’s data center in Viborg, with all surplus energy going into
the Danish grid. The project will also act as a test site for powerful offshore wind turbines.
Apple’s long-term virtual power purchase agreement provides the revenue certainty that made
the project financially feasible.

To help address the intermittency in renewable electricity production, Apple have invested in
utility-scale storage in California and in research on new energy storage technologies. The
California storage project — an industry-leading grid-scale energy storage project capable of
storing 240 megawatt-hours of electricity — came online in fiscal year 2021. This project
supports our 130-megawatt California Flats solar farm that provides all of our renewable
energy in California, by storing excess energy generated during the day and deploying it when
it is most needed.

18
Transitioning apple’s suppliers to renewable electricity:

Electricity usage in supply chain is the single greatest contributor to carbon emissions. That’s
why apple's efforts to facilitate the transition of entire supply chain to renewable electricity
are essential to reaching their 2030 goal of carbon neutrality. While this is a global issue, the
impacts are experienced locally. Bringing renewable energy online with their suppliers and
displacing fossil fuels helps decarbonize power grids and improve local air quality.

Apple continue to experience tremendous progress toward their goal of transitioning

manufacturing supply chain to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030. As of March 2022,
213 manufacturing partners in 25 countries have committed to 100 percent renewable
energy for Apple production. Apple have targeted carbon-intensive suppliers or those that
represent a large portion of Apple’s direct spend with suppliers. But the platform Apple have
built can support suppliers of any size.

To that end, both large and small suppliers have committed to 100 percent renewable
electricity for Apple production. Over 70 percent of companies on Apple’s Supplier List those
suppliers that make up 98 percent of Apple’s direct spend for materials, manufacturing,
and assembly of our products worldwide have committed to 100 percent renewable
electricity. In addition, many other smaller suppliers have also made these commitments. In
total, the Supplier Clean Energy Program now has almost 16 gigawatts of clean energy
commitments, of which nearly two-thirds are already operational.

To cover emissions even further upstream, Apple have already invested directly in nearly 500
megawatts of solar and wind projects in China and Japan and are plan to continue to invest in
renewable energy projects to cover the load of suppliers apple cannot reach directly.

In fiscal year 2021, the 10.3 gigawatts of renewable

energy already online in Apple’s supply chain
generated 18.1 million megawatt-hours of clean
energy, avoiding 13.9 million metric tons of
carbon emissions a 62 percent increase over fiscal
year 2020.

19
Rethinking how aluminum is made:
In May 2018, Apple partnered with aluminum companies and the governments of Canada and
Quebec to invest in Elysis a joint venture to commercialize patented technology that
eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions from the traditional smelting process. This is a
revolutionary advancement in the manufacturing of one of the world’s most widely used
metals. Apple helped accelerate the development of this technology by facilitating the joint
partnership and providing initial funding and ongoing technical support.

In spring 2022, Elysis announced it had built out a commercial-scale prototype within its
R&D center in Quebec enabling Elysis to begin producing commercial purity primary
aluminum at scale. This milestone for the project prompted Apple to make an additional
purchase of the aluminum, with plans to use it for iPhone SE. In 2019, Apple purchased the
first-ever commercial batch of aluminum resulting from the joint venture, using it in the
production of the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Transporting products:

Each year, Apple ship hundreds of millions of products from manufacturers to consumers.
They have shifting whenever possible toward less carbon-intensive shipping modes, such as
rail and ocean. And are seeking out technical innovations, including alternative fuels and
electric vehicles. In fiscal year 2021, Apple avoided 180,000 metric tons of CO2e by
shifting the mode of transport and reducing product weight through the removal of the
power adapter from iPhone devices.

In Europe, Apple are working with carriers who are advancing “carbon neutral delivery”
using electric vehicles, including e-bikes and e-cars. These innovations help reduce our
impact in the communities where our customers purchase products. And by preferring vendors
that offer low-carbon options, apple signal the value of these options to us and reward those
driving decarbonization in their industry.

20
investing in nature:

Carbon removal projects take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. eg. natural, like forests,
wetlands, and grasslands, or geological. to removing carbon, nature-based carbon removal
projects also offer important ecological and social benefits, such as preserving biodiversity
and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems.

The earth’s trees, plants, and soils provide some of the greatest capabilities to remove carbon
from the atmosphere. Carbon credits provide an opportunity to invest in these solutions. By
investing in forests, grasslands, and wetlands, we support proven, scalable approaches to
carbon removal — while supporting ecosystems and the livelihoods of local communities.

Apple believe that this can be done while achieving a financial and environmental return on
investment. That is why they partnered with Conservation International and Goldman Sachs
to launch the Restore Fund. This innovative fund seeks to blend responsible forestry practices
with carbon removal: Apple are working with forestry managers to create sustainably
managed forests that optimize for both carbon and wood production creating revenue from
timber, and generating high-quality carbon credits. Apple will invest up to $200 million in
projects that aim to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it, all while meeting
clear social and environmental impact criteria and offering a financial return. In its pilot
phase, the Restore Fund has a goal of removing at least 1 million metric tons of carbon
dioxide per year.

21
Materials:
Apple aim to have their products be part of thriving, responsible, circular supply chains.
where finite material extraction is replaced by continual recycling and reuse. Apple are
increasingly sourcing more of the materials they use from circular supply chains drawn from
recycled content and renewable resources.

Extracting materials continuously from the earth is a carbon-intensive process and can have
an impact in the regions from which these resources are derived. Apple are making progress
toward this goal with each generation of new products and are doing so without sacrificing
quality and durability. Thay are also pursuing innovations in recycling to enhance material
recovery and support circular supply chains for themselves and others.

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This goal represents a significant challenge and a great opportunity to reduce our footprint.
Apple see this with each change they make, whether a technological innovation or new supply
chain. These developments affect the people who interact with our products, influence the
markets in which they operate, and create change for broader global communities. And their
actions carry results that extend beyond business. Thay are using three different levers to
reduce footprint and achieve circularity:

• Sourcing and efficiency:

Sourcing recycled and renewable materials for products and packaging, and using these
materials more efficiently. And source materials responsibly, whether from primary, recycled,
or renewable sources.

• Product longevity:

Making the most of the materials use by designing long lasting products. Apple design
durable hardware, leverage software updates to extend functionality, provide convenient
access to safe and high-quality repair services, and direct devices and parts to be refurbished
or reused.

• Product end-of-life:

Enhancing product collection and recycling innovation, so apple and others can use old
devices as raw material sources for the future.

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• Sourcing and efficiency:

Apple have made progress in the past few years toward the goal of relying solely on
recycled and renewable materials for products and packaging.

This has made it clear to markets that apple place a value on the source of materials,
particularly those that do not deplete the earth’s resources. Many partners have joined us
in apple's efforts to move toward recycled and renewable content and are look forward to
engaging with many others as part of a broader global transition. And as apple design new
products, they continue to source materials responsibly and use materials more efficiently.

Last year, Apple made progress across materials from expanding their use of recycled rare
earth elements to designing cameras with recycled gold. In September, they introduced
iPhone 13, with more certified recycled materials than any previous version of iPhone.
This included recycled rare earth elements, tin, tungsten, aluminum, and for the first time,
certified recycled gold. Apple also introduced 100 percent recycled plastic in the mesh of
the ear cushions of AirPods Max, as well as 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosures on
every single model in the iPad lineup.

Across apple's business, They released eight products with more than 20 percent recycled
content. The MacBook Air with M1 chip (2020) had the highest total made with 44
percent recycled content device-wide, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the
enclosure. These and other innovations helped them increase their use of recycled or
renewable content to 18 percent of all the material shipped in products in fiscal year 2021.
Suppliers have not only confirmed they sourced recycled material, but have also achieved
third-party certification for more than half of this content, engaging organizations
including UL LLC.

Apple continue to uphold high standards. Their recycled and renewable material
specifications follow standards set out by the international community. To ensure that
these materials meet their standards, Apple require their suppliers to obtain third-party
certifications. This measure helps us confirm that a material has been recycled or comes
from a renewable source one that can continually produce without depleting the earth’s
resources.

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Apple’s transition to certified recycled materials by product line:

Materials used in Apple products and Its process:

After creating a new aluminum alloy that incorporates recycled content without
compromising product performance, Apple are now scaling recycled content across
products. All iPad models in lineup now use 100 percent recycled aluminum in their
enclosures joining Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Watch SE, MacBook Air, Mac mini, and
the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro devices. Our iPhone 13 model incorporates
recycled aluminum content, as well. Since recycled aluminum can have 1/40th the
carbon footprint of aluminum from primary sources, this supports our pursuit of
low-carbon designs.

Overall in fiscal year 2021, 59 percent of the aluminum we shipped came from
recycled sources, more than half of which was third-party certified. Apple’s recycled
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material comes from several sources, including scrap from the manufacture of Apple
products, and post-industrial sources. And as supplier source recycled content, apple
encourage them to take the additional step to pursue third-party certifications for their
recycled content.

In the fiscal year, 13 percent of the cobalt shipped in apple's products came from certified
recycled sources on a mass-balance basis, including both post-industrial scrap and post-
consumer scrap from end-of-life batteries. The cobalt from iPhone batteries disassembled
by Daisy is being returned to the market. This more efficient and economical approach
makes the material available to others beyond our supply chain.

Electronics applications require the use of high-performance copper. Yet even as

challenges remain in identifying quality scrap sources, apple are making progress. In
March 2022, Apple introduced 100 percent recycled copper for the first time in any Apple
product: Apple Studio Display and Mac Studio both use 100 percent recycled copper in
the brass prongs of the power cord plug and AC inlet.7 We also continue testing 100
percent recycled copper in other applications to evaluate its technical properties and
performance across product lines. In printed circuit boards (PCBs) — another key use of
copper Apple are driving material efficiency by using foils that require less of the material
and incorporating recycled copper, primarily from old power line cables. Apple are
working to apply this same approach to other modules.

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Recycled sources are scarce for the quality of glass apple use in thrie products and
performance of this material is key to the durability of our final products. Apple are
working hard to identify and incorporate recycled content into the material They use to
produce glass parts. Following the precedent set in iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 continues to
use recycled glass in multiple components. And by incorporating quality scrap in
applications, apple also help keep glass at its highest-purity use for future recovery. As
apple collect and reuse scrap in new parts, they are also more efficient in how to use the
material.

For the first time on any Apple product, iPhone 13 used 100 percent certified recycled
gold, found in the plating of the main logic board and the wire in the front camera and the
rear cameras. To obtain this from entirely recycled sources required pioneering industry-
leading levels of traceability to build a gold supply chain of exclusively recycled content.
Gold as a material is often recovered and recycled; as a result, gold from primary and
secondary sources is often commingled. So it was only through this level of traceability
that apple could certify that their material came from 100 percent recycled sources. Apple
are shown this is possible with iPhone 13 and are working to scale our use to other
products as well.

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Apple are working to shift toward recycled materials recovered from batteries as these
options become more viable and economical. While apple has been able to identify
sources of recycled content, they are now working to test the performance of the recycled
material to see if it can meet their requirements both at the material level and in its
application in batteries. This rigorous evaluation process takes time, but it’s key to
maintaining the performance of their products as we transition to recycled content over the
long term. And they forging relationships with partners and recyclers capable of bringing
more of this material into the market.

Apple use a broad range of plastics in their products found in hundreds of unique
components, from speakers to keycaps. Each plastic material has different performance
requirements that apple must maintain as they switch to recycled or renewable sources.
Apple are diligently pursuing this effort. In fiscal year 2021 alone, they introduced more
than 100 parts with an average of 45 percent recycled plastic. These include the antenna
lines on iPhone 13, which use “upcycled” plastic from bottles that have been chemically
transformed into a stronger, higher-performance material. And 15 additional components
used plastics made with bio-based content rather than fossil fuels, an important step as
they continue to pursue certified renewable plastic sources.

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Since steel is a highly recycled material, we focus on keeping it in the highest-quality
form possible, working to make sure high-purity steel gets recovered from manufacturing
scrap and products at end-of-life. Apple are working with their supply chain partners on
opportunities to expand the use of recycled content further into components of our
products and to pursue third-party certifications.

Apple continue to address the challenge of sourcing 100 percent recycled content at the
quality they need for use in capacitors. They are actively investigating recovery
approaches from end-of-life electronics to develop further use of this recycled material.
Based on material recovery rates, there may already be some recycled tantalum within
their products. However, to reach goal, apple have to move beyond existing tantalum
supply chains that mix primary and secondary content. This requires starting from the
beginning, by identifying new sources of quality tantalum scrap and building traceable
supply chains around exclusively recycled material so that they can verify its use in high
quantities in products.

In fiscal year 2021, 30 percent of our tin came from certified recycled sources as apple
continued to scale use. All new iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Mac devices released in the
fiscal year featured 100 percent recycled tin in the solder of the main logic board. Apple
are also continuing to use recycled tin in our accessories, including our power adapters,
the Wireless Charging Case for AirPods Pro, and Apple Pencil. And are continue to
expand to new components as well, including recycled tin in the solder of the True Tone
flash of iPad Pro and the battery management unit of iPhone 13. As scale use across even
more components, they seek to engage an exponentially increasing number of suppliers in
this effort.

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More than 90 percent of the tungsten used in fiscal year 2021 came from recycled sources, a
significant milestone from prior years. Both Apple Watch Series 7 and iPhone 13 feature 99
percent recycled tungsten across the entire device. And with the help of our disassembly robots,
Daisy and Dave, the tungsten from our Taptic Engine can be recovered and recycled.

Apple continue to work to identify high-quality sources of recycled zinc. This is a

challenge as the material is prone to accumulate impurities during the recycling process.
Each source apple identify rigorously test to ensure that recycled materials meet high
performance standards. In March 2022, Apple introduced 100 percent recycled zinc for
the first time in Apple Studio Display and Mac Studio, which use 100 percent recycled
zinc in the brass prongs of the power cord plug and AC inlet.

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Innovating packaging:

Apple have made significant progress toward eliminating all plastics from our packaging
by 2025.

This past year, plastics accounted for only 4 percent of apple's packaging. Since 2015,
Thay have dedicated their efforts to replacing large plastic trays, wraps, and foam
cushioning with fiber alternatives that have higher recovery rates and reduced
environmental footprints. And apple remain focused on completing this work. Apple have
directed energies toward eliminating the remaining plastic in packaging.

Last year Apple released iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro — the first iPhone to be shipped
without any plastic packaging components. To achieve this, apple eliminated the
polypropylene wrap around each box. Thay have used this plastic wrap since the launch of
iPhone 8 to protect the box from damage and tampering. Thay wanted to retain the
benefits of plastic wrap without the environmental impact, while creating a more
accessible unboxing experience. Apple's packaging team took on the challenge to achieve
both. The team conducted user studies, assessed the weight and repulpability of materials,
and prototyped designs. For this year’s iPhone release, they developed an alternative that
relies on two small fiber-based pull-tabs. This replacement of traditional plastic wrap not
only provides a tamper seal, it allows us to avoid an estimated 600 metric tons of
plastic.

Apple also made significant improvements on iMac this year. Their team worked on an
alternative to the plastic foam we used to protect each iMac during shipping. Previously,
they have designed molded fiber parts to replace foam components in the iMac Pro box.
Thay set out to create a similar alternative to packing foam one that absorbs energy while
maintaining resilience and structure. Our solution was to develop a fiber based corrugated
spring. Using origami-inspired techniques, our team created a design that could perform
as well as traditional foam, yet be more easily recycled. This design relied on corrugated
cardboard, a widely used packaging material, allowing to work with existing suppliers.
Apple's fiber-based corrugated spring is the first such use of this material to replace
traditional packing foam. Through this innovation, Apple avoided more than 400 metric
tons of plastic.

These innovations are part of apple's broader strategy. Thay are both seeking to reduce
waste by eliminating plastic and focusing on recycled and renewable materials in
packaging. Apple’s packaging design guidelines also factor in packaging recyclability,
requiring the use of fiber-based materials that can break back down to pulp as part of
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mixed paper recycling streams — alongside materials like cereal boxes. These guidelines
are supported by third-party assessments from firms including Western Michigan
University’s Paper Pilot Plant and the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Products Laboratory,
and they're continue to monitor evolving international packaging standards. In fiscal year
2021, all newly released iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and MacBook devices shipped in
packaging that was more than 90 percent fiber-based. And continue to supply all of the
wood fiber in packaging from recycled or responsible sources.12 This year, they have
turned efforts toward developing alternatives to foams, films, and wraps.

Apple are doing so to ensure that they have well-designed, lower impact alternatives ready
for use. Thay also advocate for action to reduce plastics, promote the efficient use of low-
impact materials, and encourage requirements that consider the entire packaging life
cycle. These efforts include commitment to using responsibly sourced wood fiber while, at
the same time, contributing to the global supply of these responsible materials. Through
partnerships with The Conservation Fund and World Wildlife Fund, they have protected
and improved more than 1 million acres of working forests in the U.S. and China. In fiscal
year 2021, these forests generated enough responsibly sourced fiber to balance all the
fiber used in packaging.

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Chapter 5: Data Analytics and Interpretation:

Greenhouse gas emissions

Energy:

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Resources:

Electricity:

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Chapter 6: Conclusion:
In conclusion, Apple has made significant progress in becoming a sustainable business, and
its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint has been widely recognized. The company
has demonstrated leadership in sustainable practices, implementing various initiatives to
minimize its environmental impact, and investing in renewable energy projects. Apple has
also set ambitious goals to become carbon neutral across its entire supply chain by 2030,
which is a challenging target but one that the company is dedicated to achieving.

Furthermore, Apple has adopted a circular economy approach, with a goal to reduce the
consumption of finite resources and minimize waste by designing products that can be easily
repaired, reused, and recycled. In addition, the company has introduced a trade-in program,
encouraging customers to recycle their old devices and reduce e-waste.

Apple has also made significant progress in improving labor conditions in its supply chain,
with the implementation of its Supplier Code of Conduct and regular audits of its suppliers.
The company has also worked to improve the social and environmental impacts of its product
packaging, with a goal to use only recycled or renewable materials in its packaging by 2025.

While there is still room for improvement, Apple has demonstrated a strong commitment to
sustainability and has taken significant steps to reduce its environmental impact. By setting
ambitious goals and implementing various initiatives across its operations, the company is
showing that it is possible to achieve sustainability while still delivering innovative products
and maintaining profitability. As such, Apple serves as a model for other businesses to follow,
demonstrating that a commitment to sustainability is not only good for the planet, but also for
business.

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Chapter 7: Bibliography:

Bibliography
(n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_footprint

(n.d.). Retrieved from bbvaopenmind:

https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/science/environment/the-hidden-environmental-toll-
of-smartphones/

(n.d.). Retrieved from Apple: Apple.com

(n.d.). environmental impact smartphones. Delloitte Insites.

(2022). Environmental Progress Report. Apple.

Global Energy Review: CO2 Emissions in 2021. (n.d.). Retrieved from IEA org:
https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-co2-emissions-in-2021-2

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