As part of the upcoming Earth Day on April 22nd, Apple has announced that for every device it receives in-store and online as part of its GiveBack programme between now and the end of the month, it will make a donation to the non-profit organisation, Conservation International. The firm also debuted Daisy, a new robot that can disassemble iPhone devices to recover valuable materials.
Lisa Jackson, Apple’s VP of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, said:
“At Apple, we’re constantly working toward smart solutions to address climate change and conserve our planet’s precious resources. In recognition of Earth Day, we are making it as simple as possible for our customers to recycle devices and do something good for the planet through Apple GiveBack. We’re also thrilled to introduce Daisy to the world, as she represents what’s possible when innovation and conservation meet.”
Aside from making a donation to Conservation International, customers taking advantage of the GiveBack programme will still receive credit which can be used towards an in-store purchase or be put on a Gift Card for future use when shopping with the iPhone maker. Conservation International currently works on protecting “the natural world people rely on for food, fresh water and livelihood.” It does this by employing the latest science to suggest policy and create beneficial partnerships.
As for the robot Daisy, she is the successor to Liam, which launched in 2016. Daisy is able to take apart as many as 200 iPhone devices every hour and can even reclaim materials that traditional recyclers cannot. By recovering things such as rare metals it means that less mining has to be done to meet demand for devices such as phones and tablets.
As a bonus, Apple Watch users will receive a notification about the Earth Day Challenge which encourages users to go outside and exercise for at least 30 minutes. Those that manage it will receive a special achievement and unique stickers that can be used in iMessage. Apple Stores around the world will mark Earth Day by donning logos with green leaves or window decorations.
Lastly, Apple has released its annual Environment Responsibility Report which looks at how it is reducing its carbon footprint by its use of renewables and its drive for energy efficiency in its products and facilities. It looks at how the firm is conserving resources with tools such as Daisy, and lastly it focuses on how the company is employing safer materials in its products and processes.
Source: Apple