Apple's Plastic Problem: Iphones' Hidden Environmental Cost

Apple's iPhone has gone through several design changes since its launch in 2007, including a shift from plastic to glass screens. The original iPhone model featured a 3.5-inch plastic display, but the version that went on sale later that year had a glass screen. This switch was reportedly due to Steve Jobs' dissatisfaction with the plastic display's propensity to scratch easily. In recent years, Apple has also made changes to iPhone packaging to reduce plastic waste, opting for cardboard and reducing plastic waste by 84%. While the iPhone's design and packaging have evolved to minimise plastic use, the company continues to face sustainability challenges and works towards creating products made entirely from recycled materials.

Plastic packaging

Apple has been working towards sustainability and has removed 600 metric tons of plastic from its manufacturing processes. The company has also stated that it is transitioning to using recycled materials for its products and packaging. Apple has set a goal to eliminate mining entirely and to build products using only recycled and renewable materials.

Apple has made efforts to reduce the plastic packaging used for iPhones. Previously, iPhones were packaged with two stacked plastic trays inside the box, one for the phone and one for its charger and EarPods. However, the iPhone 7 packaging uses only one tray made of paper instead of plastic. Additionally, Apple has simplified how it wraps its headphones, replacing the plastic case with a stiff cardboard holder that fits perfectly inside the iPhone box. These changes have significantly reduced the amount of plastic waste generated by iPhone packaging.

Apple has also started using recycled materials in its products, such as the iPhone 13 series, which features 100% recycled rare earth elements, tin, and solder in various components. While Apple is vague about its plastic usage, it has been estimated that they use 35% or more recycled plastic in 14 components. Apple has stated that only 4% of its packaging comes from plastic, and it aims to eliminate plastic from its packaging by 2025.

Polycarbonate, a type of plastic used in iPhone cases, is fully recyclable and reusable. It is shatter-resistant and has been used in various industries for its durability and versatility. However, one downside is that it scratches easily, which has been a concern for some iPhone users. To address this issue, Apple has applied a lacquer coating to the polycarbonate back of iPhones, making them more scratch-resistant.

Polycarbonate case

Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that has been used in various industries for years. It is known for its shatter resistance and thinness, making it ideal for products like eyeglass lenses, sunglasses, windshields, and electronic devices. While polycarbonate is scratch-resistant, it can still be vulnerable to scratches, so some manufacturers, like Apple, apply a lacquer coating to enhance its scratch resistance.

Polycarbonate is a popular material for smartphone cases due to its durability and recyclability. It is fully recyclable and reusable, making it a sustainable choice for consumers concerned about the environmental impact of their devices. The recycling process involves sorting, shredding, washing, and turning the material into granules, ready for reuse.

For iPhone users, polycarbonate cases are available from various manufacturers, including Apple, Caudabe, Spigen, and DBrand. These cases offer protection for iPhones, with some featuring clear designs that showcase the device's aesthetics. However, one drawback of polycarbonate cases is their tendency to yellow over time, which may be undesirable for some users.

When choosing a polycarbonate case, it's important to consider factors such as scratch resistance, grip, and the presence of exposed" buttons. Some cases may have hybrid designs, combining polycarbonate with other materials like TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) to enhance certain features. Ultimately, the choice of case depends on individual preferences for style, functionality, and budget.

Plastic back panels

The iPhone 5C featured a plastic back panel made of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a type of plastic that is shatter-resistant, heat-resistant, and lightweight. It is also used in eyeglass lenses, motorcycle windshields, and computer screens. While some criticised the iPhone 5C's plastic back as feeling "cheap", others considered it a practical choice due to its durability and lightweight properties, enabling a bigger battery without adding excessive weight to the device.

The use of plastic back panels in smartphones has evolved over time. While plastic was commonly used in the past, manufacturers have shifted towards more premium finishes like glass to achieve a more luxurious feel. This shift is evident in the transition from the Samsung Galaxy S5, which had a pimpled plastic back, to the Galaxy S6 Edge, which featured a glass design.

Despite the move away from plastic back panels in flagship smartphones, some users have expressed a desire for their return. On forums, some iPhone users have shared their frustration with constantly repairing cracked glass back panels, considering plastic as a more durable and cost-effective alternative. However, plastic finishes may be less scratch-resistant and may not deliver the same premium feel as glass.

It is worth noting that plastic, including that used in smartphones, does not naturally biodegrade. If disposed of in landfills, plastic phones can remain there for decades, contributing to environmental pollution. Proper recycling of plastic devices is crucial to mitigate this issue, and some companies are transitioning to recycled plastic sources.

Plastic internal components

While Apple has not disclosed the exact amount of plastic in an iPhone, it is known that plastic is used in various internal components and external housing parts. On average, a smartphone contains 9.53 grams of plastic, which is primarily used for the casing. Polycarbonate, a type of plastic, has been used by Apple for the iPhone's case, specifically the iPhone 5C, which has a plastic back.

Polycarbonate is fully recyclable and reusable, making it a sustainable choice for smartphone casings. However, it scratches easily, so Apple has applied a lacquer coating to the iPhone 5C's polycarbonate back to enhance its scratch resistance. Despite this, polycarbonate-backed phones are still susceptible to scratching, which has led to criticism of Apple's decision to use plastic.

Apple has stated that it is transitioning to using recycled plastics, with 35% or more recycled content in 14 components. However, the total amount of recycled plastics in iPhones is suspected to be lower. Apple has also committed to eliminating plastic from its packaging by 2025, reducing plastic usage to only 4% of its packaging.

The iPhone contains various metals and rare earth metals, such as aluminum, iron, copper, cobalt, chromium, nickel, lithium, tungsten, gold, tin, tantalum, cerium, and neodymium. These metals are sourced from suppliers in 43 countries across six continents, with some raw materials originating from controversial areas.

Recycled plastic usage

Apple has been working towards sustainability by using recycled materials for some of its products, including the iPhone 13 series and its packaging. The iPhone 13 series is made with 100% recycled rare earth elements, tin, and solder on the main logic board, as well as recycled tungsten and gold. Apple has also replaced the plastic film on the retail boxes with paper tabs, which will save 600 metric tons of plastic over the product's lifetime. Apple has stated that it is transitioning to recycled sources, with 35% or more recycled plastic in 14 components. The company aims to eliminate mining entirely and build products using only recycled and renewable materials.

Apple encourages recycling old devices and provides free shipping labels and instructions on its Apple Trade In website. The company also has a four-point plan focusing on sourcing recycled and renewable materials, using these materials efficiently, ensuring product longevity, and recovering products at the end of their life cycle. Apple's first disassembly robot, Daisy, takes iPhones apart to recover inside materials for recyclers.

Polycarbonate, a type of plastic used in iPhones, is fully recyclable and reusable. The recycling process includes sorting, shredding, washing, and turning the material into granules to be reused. While polycarbonate is shatter-resistant, it scratches easily, so Apple has lacquer-coated the polycarbonate back of some iPhones to make it more scratch-resistant.

Overall, Apple is taking steps towards sustainability by using and promoting the recycling of plastic in its products, including the iPhone 13 series, and by providing options for consumers to recycle their old devices.

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