Apple Reaches 100% Recycled Cobalt and Rare Earth Milestones

On April 16, 2026, Apple announced it has reached a critical milestone in its Apple recycled materials progress by utilizing 100% recycled cobalt in all company-designed batteries. The tech giant's 2026 Environmental Progress Report also confirmed that all magnets in its devices now feature 100% recycled rare earth elements, marking a significant shift toward a circular supply chain.

The report further details that all Apple-designed printed circuit boards now use 100% recycled gold plating and tin soldering. Additionally, the company successfully eliminated plastic from its packaging by the end of 2025, transitioning entirely to fiber-based materials for its product boxes and shipping containers as of 2026-04-17.

Impact of Apple Recycled Materials Progress

During the 2025 fiscal year, 30% of all materials shipped in the company's products were sourced from recycled or renewable origins. A standout example of this Apple recycled materials progress is the recently released MacBook Neo, which contains 60% total recycled content, setting a new internal record for the manufacturer.

Beyond material sourcing, the company stated that its greenhouse gas emissions have dropped by 60% compared to a 2015 baseline. These achievements are part of a broader initiative to reach full carbon neutrality across its entire corporate footprint and product life cycle by 2030. The Apple recycled materials progress demonstrates a scalable approach to sustainable manufacturing in the consumer electronics industry.

For consumers, these changes mean that new devices like the iPhone and MacBook are being produced with a lower environmental impact without sacrificing hardware performance or durability. The transition to 100% recycled rare earths and cobalt ensures that high-demand components are sourced with significantly reduced mining requirements.

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