So if Apple improved the quality of the included Lightening cable people would not have to get it exchanged either in-store or through mail-in method or purchase a replacement once out of warranty. How is this helping the environmental narrative? Do we know if those damaged cables are 100% recycled or just part of it and the rest is landfill, honest question I don’t know the answer to it. I do know is that once out of warranty or even if under warranty most people just throw it into to rubbish and not recycle it but that is not under Apple’s control, what is though is to provide a durable cable considering people plug and unplug these once a day if not twice or more depending on variable in that case logic would dictate that unlike a power cable for other thing that are not plugged or unplugged frequently is to make these durable to reduce waste on every level; correct.
And the air pollution which precipitates into our oceans and fresh water lakes.
But at least with that upgrade program, it forces the user to give back the phone to Apple, thus Apple can have a closed circle of recycling. Benefits both to user (new phone every year) and Apple (constant monthly revenue and the user giving the older phone back).
Sure, if you completely neglect the fact that people would then have to replace all their Lightning cables and accessories.
It’s a meaningless gesture/action while placing the focus on a small thing while not tackling the issue with the greatest impact that you are trying to address but hey it’s a bullet point so yeah to Apple and all of the consumer for picking the feel good (on paper) choice.
Should Apple shut down for a year? Many consumer electronics are on a yearly upgrade. Companies can still move toward being greener even with yearly upgrades.
This isn’t related to annual upgrades. The way to stop this is restocking fees, which apple , afaik, doesn’t do.
Collecting, shipping, and recycling are all resource intensive processes. I'm aware that they don't immediately go to a landfill. Unfortunately though, my understanding is that a lot of components, namely the battery, often get replaced on "refurbed" units. That in and of itself is not an environment forward approach, but it is what the consumer expects; I'd be lying if I said I personally didn't expect the same.
What works be neat is if Apple provide the option to put a screen protector or include one for a small cost, rubberized the body and ship the device in a cardboard envelope. Remove device and ship back trade-in device. Not sure if the trade-in would like that presently. If no trade-in then either reduce the packaging by returning it to an a Apple Store, reuse it or recycle it.
How much plastic waste is occurring behind the scenes through every step, curious serious question plus who is enforcing this. A commitment is one thing but means nothing for factories without oversight and the means to put on a dog and pony show when Apple officials come for a “surprise” visit.
My issue is incentivizing yearly upgrades, a thing that carriers have also latched into as a means of keeping customers/sales, not simply producing more product. Unfortunately I'm not Really sure how I can be clearer on that matter.
I doubt that whatever plastic waste is produced "behind the scenes" is going to increase as a result of this change though. So, it's fair to conclude, whatever plastic is removed from packaging is 100% saved from becoming waste.
Does the plastic packing from various component shipped to the assembler factory not a bigger concern similar to the plastic wrapped around each shipping pallet. 🤔