Product Environmental Report

Progress toward our 2030 goal

More than 25% recycled or renewable content¹

30% of manufacturing electricity sourced from supplier low-carbon energy projects²

Responsible packaging

100% fiber-based, due to our work to remove plastic in packaging⁵

100% recycled or responsibly sourced wood fibers⁶

Smarter chemistry³

• Arsenic-free glass
• Mercury-free
• Brominated flame retardant-free
• PVC-free

Recovery

Return your device through Apple Trade In—at a retail store or online—and we'll give it a new life or recycle it for free.

Longevity

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max feature the latest-generation Ceramic Shield, which is two times tougher than any other smartphone glass, as well as IP68 water and dust resistance that enhance durability.⁴

Supplier innovation

The Apple Supplier Code of Conduct sets strict standards for safeguarding people and the environment in our supply chain.

Progress toward carbon neutral

We've reduced emissions for iPhone 16 Pro Max with 256 GB by 30 percent against our business-as-usual scenario as modeled by Apple. This device contains more than 25 percent recycled content, including 100 percent recycled lithium in the battery cathode, reducing total product emissions by about 7 percent.⁹ We're also working with our suppliers to transition to 100 percent low-carbon electricity for Apple production. The low-carbon electricity solutions that suppliers have already implemented to date have reduced product emissions by more than 20 percent. In our carbon footprint calculations, we also account for the emissions necessary to generate low-carbon electricity, specifically to manufacture and maintain renewable energy infrastructure, like wind and solar farms.

Baseline emissions: 105 kg CO2e

Emissions reductions: -31 kg CO2e

iPhone 16 Pro Max emissions: 74 kg CO2e¹¹

This data is visualized in a stacked bar chart showing emissions breakdown by category (Materials and process emissions, Electricity for manufacturing, Electricity for charging, Transportation, Renewable energy emissions) for baseline, reduced emissions, and iPhone 16 Pro Max emissions.

Taking responsibility for our products at every stage

We take responsibility for our products throughout their life cycles—including the materials they are made of, the people who assemble them, and how they are recycled at end of life. We focus on the areas where we can make the biggest difference for our planet: reducing our impact on climate change, conserving important resources, and using safer materials.

We sell millions of products. So making even small adjustments can have a meaningful impact.

DESIGN AND SOURCE: Maximize the use of recycled content and responsibly source primary materials.

MAKE: Uphold high standards of labor and human rights, health and safety, and minimizing our environmental impact.

PACKAGE AND SHIP: Remove plastic from our packaging and minimize emissions from transportation.

USE: Minimize emissions from product use, enhance product longevity, and seek to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals.

RECOVER: Reuse products through Apple Trade In and maximize material recovery at end of life.

This section is accompanied by a circular diagram illustrating these five stages.

Design and Source

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max contain more than 25 percent recycled or renewable content.¹

To conserve important resources, we work to reduce the material we use and aim to one day source only recycled or renewable materials for our products. As we make this transition, we remain committed to the responsible sourcing of primary materials. Apple is recognized as a worldwide leader in the responsible sourcing of minerals in its products. Apple maps many materials, some to the mineral source, and establishes the strictest standards for smelters and refiners. Apple requires all identified tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold, cobalt, and lithium smelters and refiners to participate in third-party audits.¹³ By 2025, Apple plans to use 100 percent recycled cobalt in all Apple-designed batteries,¹⁴ 100 percent recycled tin soldering and 100 percent recycled gold plating in all Apple-designed rigid and flexible printed circuit boards, and 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets. Product designs also consider the safety of those who make, use, and recycle products, restricting the use of hundreds of harmful substances. Apple's standards go beyond what's required by law to protect people and the environment.

Materials Breakdown:

• Aluminum: 100 percent recycled aluminum in the internal structural frame and thermal sub structure.
• Cobalt: 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery.¹⁴
• Gold: 100 percent recycled gold wire in all cameras and Camera Control, and 100 percent recycled gold in the plating of the USB-C connector, multiple printed circuit boards, and multiple small parts.
• Rare earth elements: 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets, representing 98 percent of the total rare earth elements in the device.
• Tungsten: 100 percent recycled tungsten in the Taptic Engine. This represents 96 percent of the total tungsten in the device.
• Lithium: 100 percent recycled lithium in the battery cathode, representing more than 95 percent of the total lithium in the battery.¹⁵
• Steel: 80 percent or more recycled steel in multiple internal components, including the Taptic Engine, speaker, multiple printed circuit boards, and the display support plate.
• Copper: 100 percent recycled copper in multiple printed circuit boards, 100 percent recycled copper wire in the Taptic Engine, and 100 percent recycled copper foil and wire in the inductive charger.
• Plastic: At least 50 percent recycled plastic in 14 components.
• Tin: 100 percent recycled tin in the solder of multiple printed circuit boards.

Smarter chemistry

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are free of harmful substances like brominated flame retardants, PVC, phthalates, arsenic in glass, and mercury.³ 100 percent of the materials in iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are covered by Apple's Regulated Substances Specification. Apple goes beyond requirements by aiming to understand non-regulated substances in every part of every product—an effort requiring industry-leading transparency through the entire supply chain. Apple consistently identifies the makeup of over 80 percent by mass of iPhone devices.

Make

The Apple Supplier Code of Conduct sets strict standards for safeguarding people and the environment in our supply chain. Every year, Apple assesses its suppliers' performance in upholding the standards required by its Code.

Apple works closely with its suppliers to provide safe and healthy workplaces where people are treated with dignity and respect, and to reduce suppliers' environmental impact. Requirements apply across the supply chain and include the responsible sourcing of materials. Apple helps suppliers transition to low-carbon electricity, provides educational opportunities, and supports suppliers in reducing waste.

For more information, see apple.com/supplychain.

Smarter chemicals

All established iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max final assembly supplier sites use safer cleaners and degreasers in their manufacturing processes, as determined by methodologies like the GreenScreen® assessment.¹⁶

Zero Waste to Landfill

No established iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max final assembly supplier sites generate any waste sent to landfill.¹⁷

Supplier energy use

30 percent of manufacturing electricity is sourced from supplier low-carbon energy projects, supported by Apple's Supplier Clean Energy Program.²

This section includes illustrations of cleaning bottles, a waste bin, and wind turbines.

Package and Ship

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max packaging is 100 percent fiber-based and contains no plastic except for inks, coatings, and adhesives, a milestone toward Apple's commitment to remove plastics from packaging by 2025.¹⁸

To improve packaging, Apple is working to remove plastics, optimize recycled content, and use less packaging overall. All wood fiber in packaging is either recycled or comes from responsibly managed forests.¹⁹ Apple has protected or created enough responsibly managed forests to cover all virgin wood fiber used in packaging. This ensures working forests are able to regrow and continue to clean air and purify water.

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max packaging has been redesigned to be smaller and more efficient than the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max boxes, reducing overall volume by about 6 percent. This smaller size increases the total number of boxes that can fit onto select pallets, meaning more phones can be shipped on fewer journeys.²⁰

As products are transported from manufacturers to consumers, Apple prioritizes less carbon-intensive shipping modes than air transport, such as rail and ocean.

Packaging Details:

• 100% of the packaging¹⁸ is fiber-based, due to Apple's work to remove plastic in packaging.
• 66% or more recycled content in fiber packaging.
• 100% of the virgin wood fiber in the packaging comes from responsibly managed forests.¹⁹

This section includes an image of an iPhone box.

Use

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max use at least 54 percent less energy than the energy efficiency standard.²¹

Apple designs its products to be energy efficient, long-lasting, and safe. iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max use software and power-efficient components that intelligently manage power consumption. Apple also runs its own Reliability and Environmental Testing Labs, where products undergo rigorous testing before leaving the company. Support continues throughout each product's life cycle, with regular software updates to keep devices current. Apple has also expanded access to safe, reliable, and secure repairs by increasing the number of Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs). To address emissions tied to electricity used by its products, Apple is building low-carbon energy projects and engaging with customers to educate and provide opportunities to support the decarbonization of the grid.

Designed to last

iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max feature the latest-generation Ceramic Shield, which is two times tougher than any other smartphone glass, as well as IP68 water and dust resistance that enhance durability.⁴

Made with smarter chemistry

Apple applies rigorous controls for materials users touch—all based on recommendations from toxicologists and dermatologists.

Recover

Return your product with Apple Trade In, in store or online, and Apple will ensure it has a long life or recycle it for free.

Apple designs its products to be durable so they are used longer. Apple wants the materials in its products to live on in other products. Apple Trade In provides product end-of-life options, offering customers a great value for their current device and applying it toward a new one or providing an Apple Store Gift Card. If a device isn't eligible for credit, Apple will recycle it for free through product take-back and recycling collection programs.²² Materials within products can serve the next generation of products. Apple provides or participates in product take-back and recycling collection programs in 99 percent of countries where it sells products. Apple works with best-in-class recyclers to maximize the potential of the recycling materials stream and drive efforts to close the loop on key materials. Best-in-class recyclers are defined as those capable of recovering materials at high rates and doing so with better environmental and safety performance.

Apple is also creating Apple Recycler Guides to provide guidance for professional electronics recyclers on how to safely disassemble Apple products to maximize recovery of resources. The guides provide valuable insight into the steps for recycling and locations of materials in the products.

Apple Trade In

For more information on how to recycle your products at end of life, visit: apple.com/recycle

This section includes images of a laptop, tablet, and smartphones.

Definitions

• Bio-based plastics: Bio-based plastics are made from biological sources rather than from fossil-fuel sources. Bio-based plastics allow us to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
• Carbon footprint: Estimated emissions are calculated in accordance with guidelines and requirements as specified by ISO 14040, ISO 14044, and ISO 14067. There is inherent uncertainty in modeling carbon emissions due primarily to data limitations. For the top component contributors to Apple's carbon emissions, Apple addresses this uncertainty by developing detailed process-based environmental models with Apple-specific parameters. For the remaining elements of Apple's carbon footprint, Apple relies on industry average data and assumptions. Apple calculates carbon emissions using the 100-year time horizon global warming potentials (GWP100) from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), including biogenic carbon. Apple's carbon footprint calculation includes emissions for the following life cycle phases in CO2 equivalency (CO2e):
  • Production: Includes the extraction, production, and transportation of raw materials, as well as the manufacture, transport, and assembly of all parts and product packaging.
  • Transport: Includes ground, air, and sea transportation of the finished product and its associated packaging from manufacturing site directly to customers or regional distribution hubs. Regional transport is modeled using average distances.
  • Use: Apple assumes a three-year period for power use by first owners for iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS devices and a four-year period for macOS and tvOS devices. Product use scenarios are based on historical customer use data for similar products. Energy use is simulated in various ways; for example, by modeling daily battery drain or through performing activities like movie and music playback. Geographic differences in the power grid mix have been accounted for at a regional level.
  • End-of-life processing: Includes transportation from collection hubs to recycling centers and the energy used in mechanical separation and shredding of parts.
• For more information on our product carbon footprint methodology, visit apple.com/environment/answers.
• Low-carbon electricity: Refers to both renewable electricity as well as other fossil-free projects that Apple considers "low-carbon" but not "renewable," like nuclear and large-impact hydroelectricity projects, which may be included as a result of low-carbon electricity provided by the grid. Apple accounts for the carbon impact of building and operating these projects, and so considers them to be low-carbon but not zero-carbon.
• Low-carbon materials: Refers to materials created using production techniques with reduced carbon impact, such as Elysis (a patented technology that eliminates direct greenhouse gas emissions from the traditional aluminum smelting process) or aluminum smelted using hydroelectricity instead of coal.
• Recycled materials: Recycling makes better use of finite resources by sourcing from recovered rather than mined materials. Recycled content claims for materials used in products have been verified by an independent third party to a recycled content standard that conforms to ISO 14021.
• Renewable materials: Apple defines bio-materials as those that can be regenerated in a human lifespan, like wood fibers or sugarcane. Bio-materials can help us use fewer finite resources. But even though bio-materials have the ability to regrow, they are not always managed responsibly. Renewable materials are a type of bio-material managed in a way that enables continuous production without depleting the earth's resources. That's why Apple focuses on sources that are certified for their management practices.
• Supplier Clean Energy Program: Since the electricity used to make products is the largest contributor to Apple's overall carbon footprint, Apple is helping its suppliers decarbonize their Apple production, including by transitioning electricity use to 100 percent renewable sources.

Carbon Footprint

Greenhouse gas emissions were calculated using a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology in accordance with ISO 14040, ISO 14044, and ISO 14067 standards and based on iPhone 16 Pro Max with 256GB.²³ The LCA boundary for this product includes the physical product and all of its components and packaging, as well as all in-box accessories.

Note: Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

Product Carbon Footprint for Configurations:

Endnotes

1. Product recycled or renewable content is the mass of certified recycled material relative to the overall mass of the device, not including packaging or in-box accessories.
2. Apple estimates the percentage of electricity-related emissions in its manufacturing that is sourced from low-carbon electricity by attributing to its carbon model low-carbon energy procured by its suppliers in the prior fiscal year, based on the supplier manufacturing allocations at time of product launch. This calculation assesses the suppliers for iPhone 16 Pro Max with 256GB. Included in this number is only low-carbon electricity that Apple or its suppliers have procured as part of Apple's Supplier Clean Energy Program.
3. Apple's Regulated Substances Specification describes Apple's restrictions on the use of certain chemical substances in materials in Apple products, accessories, manufacturing processes, and packaging used for shipping products to Apple's end-customers. Restrictions are derived from international laws or directives, regulatory agencies, eco-label requirements, environmental standards, and Apple policies. Every Apple product is free of PVC and phthalates except for AC power cords in India, Thailand (for 2-prong AC power cords), and South Korea, where Apple continues to seek government approval for its PVC and phthalates replacement. Apple products comply with the European Union Directive 2011/65/EU and its amendments, including exemptions for the use of lead such as high-temperature solder. Apple is working to phase out the use of these exempted substances for new products where technically possible.
4. iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are splash, water, and dust resistant and were tested under controlled laboratory conditions with a rating of IP68 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes). Splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Do not attempt to charge a wet iPhone; refer to the user guide for cleaning and drying instructions. Liquid damage not covered under warranty.
5. Based on retail packaging as shipped by Apple. Breakdown of U.S. retail packaging by weight. Adhesives, inks, and coatings are excluded from Apple's calculations of plastic content and packaging weight.
6. For more information about Apple's work to protect and create responsibly managed forests, please read Apple's Environmental Progress Report.
7. iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max achieved a Gold rating in the United States and Canada, in accordance with IEEE 1680.1 or UL 110, and is listed as such on the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Registry. EPEAT registers computers, displays, and mobile phones based on environmental requirements in these standards. For more information, visit www.epeat.net.
8. Carbon reductions are calculated against a product-specific business-as-usual scenario as modeled by Apple: 1) No use of clean electricity for manufacturing or product use, beyond what is already available on the latest modeled grid (based on regional emissions factors). 2) Apple's carbon intensity of key materials as of 2015 (Apple's baseline year for its 2030 product carbon neutrality goal). Carbon intensity of materials reflects use of recycled content and production technology. 3) Apple's average mix of transportation modes (air, rail, ocean, ground) by product line across three years (fiscal years 2017 to 2019) to best capture the baseline transportation emissions of Apple's products.
9. Apple calculates emissions savings from the use of recycled or low-carbon materials in its products by comparing the carbon intensity of key materials today with their 2015 baseline for Apple products or using industry average data. Apple currently only quantifies the carbon savings from the use of recycled aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, lithium, cobalt, tungsten, and gold in select parts for select products. This means the actual emissions avoided from recycled materials are likely larger. Apple plans to improve its accounting of recycled content over time.
10. Apple estimates the percentage of electricity-related emissions in its manufacturing that is sourced from clean electricity by attributing to its carbon model clean energy procured by its suppliers in the prior fiscal year, based on the supplier manufacturing allocations at time of product launch. Included in this number is only clean electricity that Apple or its suppliers have procured as part of Apple's Supplier Clean Energy Program.
11. Greenhouse gas emissions were calculated using a life cycle assessment methodology in accordance with ISO 14040, ISO 14044, and ISO 14067 standards and based on iPhone 16 Pro Max with 256 GB storage configuration. The life cycle assessment boundary for this product includes the physical product and all of its components and packaging, as well as all in-box accessories.
12. Renewable energy emissions are too small to be visible on the chart.
13. Apple maps materials in its supply chain and publishes a list of identified tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold (3TG), cobalt, and lithium smelters and refiners in its supply chain. Third-party assessments seek to confirm sourcing practices and are part of Apple's responsible sourcing program. In addition, Apple's efforts consider a broad range of risks, including social, environmental, human rights, and governance risks.
14. All cobalt in the battery claims or references use mass balance allocation.
15. Lithium in the battery claims use mass balance allocation.
16. Chemicals that meet GreenScreen® benchmark 3 or 4 or other equivalent methodologies like U.S. EPA Safer Choice are considered safer and preferred for use. GreenScreen® is a comprehensive hazard assessment tool that evaluates substances against 18 different criteria. For more information, visit www.greenscreenchemicals.org.
17. All established final assembly supplier sites—those that have been Apple suppliers for more than one year—for iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are third-party verified as Zero Waste by UL LLC (UL 2799 Standard). UL requires at least 90 percent diversion through methods other than waste to energy to achieve Zero Waste to Landfill (Silver 90-94 percent, Gold 95-99 percent, and Platinum 100 percent) designations.
18. Breakdown of U.S. retail packaging by weight. Adhesives, inks, and coatings are excluded from Apple's calculations of plastic content and packaging weight.
19. Responsible sourcing of wood fiber is defined in Apple's Responsible Fiber Specification. Apple considers wood fibers to include bamboo.
20. This increase in boxes that can fit onto a pallet excludes pallets shipped to the following locations: U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Canada.
21. Efficiency performance is based on the U.S. Department of Energy Federal Energy Conservation Standards for Battery Chargers. Please note that ENERGY STAR does not certify smartphone devices. Energy efficiency terms: The energy efficiency values are based on the following conditions.
22. Trade-in values vary based on the condition, year, and configuration of your trade-in device, and may also vary between online and in-store trade-in. You must be at least 18 years old. In-store trade-in requires presentation of a valid, government-issued photo ID (local law may require saving this information). Additional terms from Apple or Apple's trade-in partners may apply.
23. Apple relies on a range of data to calculate its products' carbon footprint. Such data may change based on various internal and external factors. As a result, Apple's estimate for the carbon footprint of iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have been updated with an average increase of 5% from the total carbon footprint as published in its Product Environmental Report.