Apple offers in-store device recycling deal for Earth Day, touts environmental wins

In the lead up to Earth Day on April 22, tech giant Apple announced it's making major headway in its goal to be more environmentally friendly, including cutting global greenhouse gas emissions by 60 percent since 2015.

Apple outlines these initiatives, including recent renewable energy investments, in its newly published Environmental Progress Report. The company says it redirected 600,000 metric tons of waste through its Zero Waste program and explains it surpassed the 99 percent mark for use of recycled rare earth elements in magnetic and battery components. A line of what Apple calls carbon-neutral devices, including the Apple Watch Series 10 and Mac mini, were announced in 2024, as well.

Apple aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 75 percent, become fully carbon neutral, and switch to 100 percent renewable energy before the global 2030 climate goal deadline.

"Today, we’re using more clean energy and recycled materials to make our products than ever before, we’re preserving water and preventing waste around the world, and we’re investing big in nature," Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. "As we get closer to 2030, the work gets even harder — and we’re meeting the challenge with innovation, collaboration, and urgency."

Apple device owners can also take advantage of a new Earth Day programs, including 10 percent off an Apple accessory when they recycle an eligible item in-store. On Earth Day, Apple Watch and Fitness+ users can earn a limited-edition award by completing a 30 minute workout, as well as access planet-friendly advice in the Tips app.

A recent tech recycling survey from CNET (Mashable and CNET are both published by Ziff Davis) found that about one in three U.S. adults holds onto old electronics because they don't know how to recycle them. The Apple Earth Day 2025 event could help educate consumers about ways to recycle old gadgets responsibly.