Earth Day 2025: Turn Tech Waste into Treasure with These Green Moves

From trade-ins and recycling to DIY repairs and eco-perks, it’s all about reducing waste and making smarter, greener choices. Discover how your forgotten Apple devices can help build a more circular future.

Today (22 April 2025) marks Earth Day, a global reminder that the choices we make can help shape a cleaner and more sustainable world. One simple way to contribute is by reevaluating the technology we no longer use. Old iPhones, retired laptops, tangled cables, and forgotten accessories often sit unused, even though they still hold value. Rather than letting them go to waste, Apple is helping Malaysians recycle, trade in, or repair their devices through convenient and environmentally conscious programmes. These initiatives not only reduce electronic waste but also give your tech a second life. In this article, we explore the small steps you can take with your old Apple products that will have a meaningful impact on the planet.

1. CLEAR OUT THE CLUTTER

It might be time to finally tackle that drawer filled with forgotten tech. You know, the one where old iPhones, tangled charging cables, outdated accessories, and broken devices quietly build up. Research shows that almost half of all smartphones end up tucked away and never used again, even though many still have life left in them.

Spending a few minutes sorting through your unused electronics can make a real difference. You might come across devices in working condition or accessories that could be put to good use again. Clearing out these forgotten items helps you stay organised and brings a sense of simplicity to your space. Sometimes, the smallest step at home can be the start of a much bigger impact.

2. KEEP THE GOOD GOING

One of the most meaningful things you can do with your old Apple device is to pass it on. Whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, these products are built to last and often still have plenty of life left. Giving them to a friend, sibling, parent, or even a student in need can make a big difference. It’s a simple gesture that helps someone else while also reducing waste.

iPhones in particular tend to hold their value and perform reliably for years, which makes them ideal for reuse. Extending the lifespan of any device helps reduce the need for new manufacturing and conserves valuable resources. And it’s not just good for the environment — it’s also a great way to introduce someone new to the Apple ecosystem. Keeping your devices in circulation longer is a powerful and personal way to support a more sustainable tech future.

3. RECYCLE WITH PURPOSE

Apple’s recycling programme makes it easy for you to do the right thing with devices you no longer use. Just bring your old Apple products and accessories to the Apple The Exchange TRX, where they will be inspected for possible refurbishment at no cost. Devices that still have life left are sent to AppleCare for a second or even third chance. Items that can’t be saved are carefully disassembled, and valuable materials like aluminium, steel, gold, tungsten, and cobalt are recovered to be used again in future products.

For iPhones, Apple created Daisy, a recycling robot that can disassemble 36 iPhone models at a speed of up to 200 units per hour. Daisy helps recover materials far more efficiently than traditional methods. Just one metric ton of iPhone logic boards, flexes, and camera modules processed by Daisy yields the same amount of gold and copper found in 2,000 metric tons of newly mined rock. That means less mining and a much smaller environmental footprint. You can recycle in-store or request a pre-paid shipping label and drop off your device at a local courier or collection point. It’s that easy.

4. TRADE IN AND TRADE UP

Apple Trade In lets you give your old iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch a new purpose while receiving credit for your next purchase. If your device is eligible, you can get an Apple Gift Card or apply the trade-in value toward a new product. Devices in good condition are often refurbished for reuse, which helps keep them in circulation and reduces waste. If the device cannot be reused, Apple ensures it is recycled in an environmentally responsible way.

Apple products are known to hold their value better than many other brands. In the US and Europe, for example, iPhones retain at least 40 percent more value compared to Android smartphones. This makes them more likely to be passed on or traded in even after years of use. If you prefer to trade in online, Apple will send you a prepaid box to return your device. Alternatively, you can visit an Apple Store to get your device assessed on the spot. Both options are easy, rewarding, and great for the planet.

5. FIX IT BEFORE YOU DITCH IT

Repairing your Apple device is one of the most effective ways to extend its life and reduce its environmental footprint. Apple continues to improve product design so that more parts can be repaired or replaced when needed. The iPhone 16, for example, supports repairs for 12 different components including the screen, camera, speakers, and more. This makes it easier than ever to keep your device working like new without needing a full replacement.

In Malaysia, there are 42 authorised Apple service providers offering expert, Apple-certified repairs using genuine parts. You can visit any Apple Store’s Genius Bar for hardware issues or connect with Apple Support online or over the phone for help. From replacing a screen to preparing a device for a new user, support is always within reach. For those comfortable with DIY solutions, Apple’s Self-Service Repair program provides tools and guides to perform your own fixes. Repairing instead of replacing is a powerful way to care for your tech and the planet at the same time.

IT’S ALL PART OF APPLE 2030

All of these efforts are part of Apple’s bigger vision: Apple 2030. This company-wide initiative aims to make Apple carbon neutral across its entire carbon footprint by the end of the decade. That includes not just corporate operations, but the full supply chain and the lifetime use of every Apple device. Apple has already reduced emissions by more than 55 percent since 2015, and its offices, stores, and data centres have been running on 100 percent renewable energy since 2018.

Looking ahead, Apple is working to make products using only recycled or renewable materials. By 2025, it plans to use 100 percent recycled cobalt, gold, rare earth materials, and tin in key components, and remove all plastic from packaging. The new MacBook Air with M4 features over 55 percent recycled content, while the iPhone 16e contains over 30 percent recycled materials, including 100 percent recycled cobalt, 95 percent recycled lithium in the battery, and 85 percent recycled aluminium in the enclosure. It’s a bold path toward a cleaner future, and one Apple is already well on its way to achieving.

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