How does Apple define Bio-based Plastics?
Bio-based plastics: Bio-based plastics are made from renewable sources rather than from petroleum based sources. Bio-based plastics allow us to reduce reliance on petroleum.
Apple’ s Plastic Strategy for the Macbook Air with Retina Display
We’re transitioning to bio-based and recycled alternatives from petroleum-based plastics. For the 13-inch MacBook Air with Retina display, we use these alternatives in a number of components like the vent (45 % recycled), speakers (35 % recycled), and keyboard butterfly mechanism (34 % bio-based).
Apple’ s Plastic Strategy for the Mac Mini
We’re transitioning to bio-based and recycled alternatives from petroleum-based plastics. For Mac mini, we use these alternatives in a number of components like the connector wall (60 percent recycled), foot cover (60 percent recycled), AC inlet (50 percent recycled), speaker (35 percent recycled), and fan (27 percent bio-based).
Apple Kicks out PVC
Free of harmful substances like mercury, brominated flame retardants, PVC, phthalates, beryllium, lead in the solder, and arsenic in the display glass.¹ And 100 percent of the materials in the 13-inch MacBook Air with Retina display are protected by our Regulated Substances Specification. We go even further by aiming to understand the non-regulated substances in every part of every product—so far we’ve identified the makeup of 75 percent by mass of the 13-inch MacBook Air with Retina display.
Apple’ s Packaging and Shipment Strategy
By replacing the tray and adapter wrap with fiber-based alternatives, we reduced the plastic used in retail packaging by 87 percent.
To improve our packaging, we are working to eliminate plastics, increase recycled content, and use less packaging overall. All of the wood fiber in our packaging is either recycled or comes from responsibly managed forests.10 And we have protected or created enough sustainably managed forests to cover all the wood fiber we use in our packaging. This ensures working forests are able to regrow and continue to clean our air and purify our water. Smaller and lighter packaging also means fewer emissions from transporting our products— we take responsibility for that too.
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