Maya Ellison
Apple has been known to use plastic in the packaging of its laptops, with some customers reporting that their MacBook Pros arrived with a clear plastic wrap around the aluminium case. However, in September 2021, Apple announced that it would be eliminating the outer plastic wrap from its iPhone packaging, bringing it a step closer to its goal of removing plastic from all packaging by 2025. This has led to some confusion among customers, with some reporting that their new MacBooks arrived without any plastic wrapping. While Apple has not explicitly mentioned the removal of plastic wrapping from MacBook packaging, it is likely that the company is taking steps towards environmentally friendly packaging for its laptop products as well.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic wrapping on Apple laptops | Apple has removed the plastic wrapping from new laptops. However, some older products like the iPhone 11 still come with plastic wrap. |
| Factory seal | Apple laptops have a factory seal located on the clear plastic wrap around the aluminum case. The seal is a white paper or sticker that must be torn to open the notebook. |
| Environmental impact | Apple's decision to remove plastic wrapping aligns with its goal of removing plastic from all packaging by 2025 and reducing environmental impact. |
| Durability and aesthetics | Plastic MacBooks could be more durable and better withstand daily wear and tear compared to aluminum models, which are prone to dents and scuffs. Plastic could also offer more diverse color options. |
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What You'll Learn
Apple's plastic reduction goals
Apple has been working towards reducing its plastic usage and increasing the use of recycled materials in its products and packaging. In 2017, Apple announced its goal to use only renewable or recyclable materials in its products. The company has made significant progress towards eliminating plastic from its packaging, with a 75% reduction in plastic packaging since 2015.
Apple has also redesigned its packaging to reduce plastic usage and increase the use of fibre-based materials. The company reported that in 2021, only 4% of its total packaging was plastic, while recycled and responsibly sourced virgin fibre accounted for 63% and 33% respectively. Apple's iPhone 13 product line was the first to be shipped without any plastic packaging components, and the company plans to make the packaging for its iPhone 15 products more than 99% fibre-based.
Apple's plastic reduction efforts also extend to its laptop packaging. While older products like the iPhone 11 may still come with plastic wrap, newer productions, including the MacBook Pro, are increasingly moving away from plastic wrapping. Apple's goal is to completely remove plastic from all packaging by 2025.
In addition to plastic reduction, Apple is also committed to extending the lifetime of its products through refurbishment and reuse. In 2021, the company sent 12.2 million devices and accessories to new owners for reuse, reducing the need for future mining. The company is also investing in renewable energy projects and making its products more energy-efficient.
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Plastic wrap alternatives
Apple has been working towards removing plastic from its packaging. In 2021, the company released a press statement saying that its redesigned packaging eliminates the outer plastic wrap, helping Apple avoid 600 metric tons of plastic. This move brings the company closer to its goal of completely removing plastic from all packaging by 2025.
Now, onto the plastic wrap alternatives you can use to do your part in reducing plastic waste:
Beeswax Wraps
Beeswax wraps are made from all-natural ingredients such as beeswax, tree resin, jojoba oil, and cotton. They are washable and reusable for up to a year. However, they don't always create an airtight seal, and they can melt in hot temperatures, so avoid washing them in hot water or heating them in the microwave.
Reusable Silicone Bowl Covers
Food-grade silicone is a non-toxic polymer made primarily from silica (sand). It doesn't leach potentially harmful chemicals into food, especially when heated. It is odour- and stain-resistant, hypoallergenic, and easy to clean. Silicone covers are strong, stretchy, and come in various sizes, making them a great alternative to beeswax wraps as they can withstand heating and freezing.
Glass Containers
Glass is a better environmental choice as it is 100% recyclable and doesn't degrade over time. It also doesn't leach toxic chemicals into your food when heated. Wide-mouth glass jars are perfect for storing soups, oatmeal, and salads.
Reusable Containers
Instead of wrapping your food in plastic, consider storing it in a reusable container. This could be a bento box, tiffin, or a simple mason jar.
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Broken factory seals
A broken factory seal on a MacBook Pro refers to the seal on the clear plastic wrap around the aluminium case being broken. This could be due to several reasons, including:
- The laptop was opened to install non-standard software.
- The laptop was opened to add newer DVD version software or other components that may not have been available at the time of original packaging.
- The laptop was opened by customs officials during shipping.
- The laptop was previously owned and registered by someone else.
- The laptop was tampered with during shipping or storage.
It is important to note that the factory seal is meant to ensure that the laptop is new and has not been previously opened or used. A broken factory seal may indicate that the laptop has been tampered with or is not in its original condition.
If you have purchased a MacBook Pro with a broken factory seal, it is recommended to contact Apple support and determine the next steps. You can also check the serial number and build week to determine if the laptop is new or has been previously registered.
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Plastic MacBook benefits
Apple has previously used plastic to seal MacBook boxes, but in 2021, the company announced that it would no longer use outer plastic wrap for its products. This move brings Apple closer to its goal of removing plastic from all packaging by 2025.
While Apple no longer seals its MacBook boxes in plastic, there are several benefits to using plastic for MacBook laptops:
Environmental Benefits:
Plastic MacBooks could be more environmentally friendly than their aluminum counterparts. Polycarbonate, a type of plastic, is less energy-intensive to work with than aluminum, and it can be easily recycled at the end of its life. By using plastic, Apple could reduce its environmental impact and move towards a more sustainable future.
Durability:
Plastic MacBooks may be more durable and better at withstanding daily wear and tear than aluminum models. Plastic is less prone to scratches, dings, and other minor damages that can occur during regular use. While some older plastic models may have had issues with peeling and cracking, modern advancements in polycarbonate technology suggest that a new plastic MacBook could be long-lasting and resilient.
Color Options:
Plastic MacBooks would offer a wider range of color options compared to the limited choices currently available for metal MacBooks. Apple could explore diverse colors and even bring back the colorful translucent plastic bodies of the classic iMacs and iBooks. This would appeal to artists and creatives who want their devices to reflect their unique styles.
Affordability:
Plastic MacBooks could be more affordable than their metal counterparts. By using plastic shells, Apple could potentially lower the price point for entry-level MacBooks, making them more accessible to a wider range of consumers. This move could open up new opportunities for those who want to join the Apple ecosystem without breaking the bank.
Performance:
Plastic MacBooks have historically offered similar performance to their aluminum counterparts, especially when it comes to processing power. Additionally, the plastic case on MacBooks can improve WiFi reception due to its higher transparency to RF signals compared to aluminum. This means that users may experience better WiFi connectivity in areas with weaker signals.
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Plastic MacBook history
The MacBook is a line of Mac laptops sold by Apple Inc. between May 2006 and February 2012. The original MacBook, released in May 2006, was available in black or white colours and used the Intel Core Duo processor and 945GM chipset. Later revisions of the MacBook moved to the 64-bit Core 2 Duo processor and the GM965 chipset. The MacBook was thinner than its predecessor, the iBook G4, but wider than the 12-inch model, and had a widescreen display.
The original design used a combination of polycarbonate and fibreglass casing, modelled after the iBook G4. The second design, introduced in October 2008, featured a unibody aluminium casing, similar to the 15-inch MacBook Pro. The third design, released in October 2009, had a new polycarbonate (plastic) unibody design, faster DDR3 memory, a multi-touch trackpad, an LED-backlit display, and a built-in seven-hour battery. This plastic MacBook was discontinued in July 2011 for consumer purchases but remained available to educational institutions until February 2012. It was the last Mac to use a plastic shell, as every Mac since has used aluminium.
In terms of packaging, older Apple products like the iPhone 11 are still wrapped in plastic. However, almost all new productions will not include plastic wrapping. In September 2021, Apple announced that redesigned packaging would eliminate the outer plastic wrap, bringing the company closer to its goal of removing plastic from all packaging by 2025.
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Frequently asked questions
Apple has committed to removing plastic from all packaging by 2025. As a result, most new Apple laptops no longer include plastic wrapping. However, some older products like the iPhone 11 may still come with plastic wrap.
A new Apple laptop will have an intact seal on the outside of the box and on the notebook plastic. The notebook itself is usually surrounded by a clear plastic seal with a white sticker that must be torn to open the laptop.
Apple has been replacing plastic packaging with more environmentally friendly alternatives. In September 2021, Apple announced that redesigned packaging for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max would eliminate the outer plastic wrap.
The factory seal is located on the clear plastic wrap around the aluminum case of the laptop. It is a white paper seal that joins both ends of the plastic wrap and must be torn to open the notebook.
