14 DAY TRIAL // As it does with every newly shipped product, Apple has posted a report outlining the steps it has taken to reduce its carbon footprint, following the launch of its latest creation, the iPad. According to the latest Environmental Report from Apple, the iPad is designed with key features to reduce environmental impact, such as the arsenic-free glass, the mercury-free LED-backlit display, and the recyclable aluminum enclosure.
“Apple believes that improving the environmental performance of our business starts with our products,” the Mac maker states in the iPad Environmental Report (PDF). “The careful environmental management of our products throughout their life cycles includes controlling the quantity and type of materials used in their manufacture, improving their energy efficiency, and designing them for better recyclability.” The company posts a chart that provides the estimated life-cycle greenhouse-gas emissions for the iPad (pictured left).
Apple continues to stress that its iPad uses power-efficient components and software that intelligently manages power consumption, just like every iMac and MacBook does today. Moreover, the iPad 10W USB Power Adapter is said to outperform the stringent requirements of the ENERGY STAR specification for external power supplies. The company proceeds to include a table that details the power consumed by the iPad in different situations (second picture down).
Material efficiency has always been a strong point for Apple, which not only achieves great designs by using certain materials, but also manages to reduce its environmental impact thanks to their recyclability. Another pie chart included in the respective report shows that iPad employs 155 grams of glass, 125 grams of aluminum, a highly recyclable battery also weighing some 155 grams, and others.
Apple’s final touch is the material-efficient packaging. Originally introduced with the iPhone in 2007, the packaging for the iPad is almost entirely recyclable, as it uses corrugate cardboard made from a minimum of 33 percent post-consumer recycled content.
The company also mentions its recycling program in the iPad Environmental Report, although the tablet device doesn’t seem to fall into any category for recycled products. However, given that the Mac maker also recycles non-Apple products, it’s fair to assume that customers looking to recycle an iPad in the future will be able to do so with ease, by contacting the company.
