iPhone Air
Product Environmental Report
Date introduced: September 9, 2025
This report includes data current as of product launch. Product evaluations are based on U.S. configuration of iPhone Air. Product carbon footprint calculations include in-box accessories as well as packaging.
Key Environmental Highlights
- 35% recycled content in iPhone Air¹
- 45% of manufacturing electricity is sourced from supplier renewable energy projects²
- 80% recycled titanium in iPhone Air, the highest of any iPhone
Product Carbon and Material Footprint
Apple is focused on decarbonizing the three largest sources of emissions: materials, electricity, and transportation across its value chain. Progress is being made by expanding suppliers' sourcing of renewable energy, with 45 percent of manufacturing electricity for iPhone Air sourced from renewable energy projects. The company prioritizes the use of recycled, renewable, and low-carbon materials while focusing on the energy efficiency of its software and hardware.
Responsible selection and sourcing of materials and components that constitute a large part of the product carbon footprint are prioritized. Apple works to recover its own scrap at high purity. Recycled material typically emits less carbon than newly mined materials over its lifetime, leading to a focus on postindustrial and postconsumer sources for waste streams.
iPhone Air Carbon Footprint Breakdown (256GB)
The carbon footprint is detailed by life cycle phase:
- Production: Electricity: 54%
- Production: Materials and Process Emissions: 22%
- Transportation: 17%
- Renewable Energy Emissions: 5%
- Electricity for Charging: 2%
- End-of-Life Processing: <1%
Net GHG emissions for 256GB configuration: 55 kg CO2e³
iPhone Air: 35% Recycled Content¹
The iPhone Air includes recycled content in various components:
- 100% recycled aluminum in the internal structural frame
- 100% recycled cobalt in the battery
- 100% recycled gold plating and tin solder in all Apple-designed printed circuit boards
- 100% recycled gold wire in all cameras and Camera Control, as well as gold plating in all connectors
- 95% recycled lithium in the battery
- 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets
- 80% recycled steel in the battery enclosure, display support plate, speaker, and receiver
- 80% recycled titanium in the enclosure
- 100% recycled titanium in the 3D printed USB-C port
Read more about sustainability efforts at apple.com/2030.
Product Insights
Water ?
Water is a local resource. Apple's water strategy is respectful of local conditions where it and its suppliers operate. Data and site-level feedback are collected to understand water impacts. The Supplier Clean Water program prioritizes high water users in high water stress locations, driving participants toward an average 50 percent water reuse rate by 2030. Learn more.
Package and Ship ?
The packaging is 100 percent fiber-based and uses only recycled or responsibly sourced fibers⁴. iPhone Air ships in compact packaging, enabling 10 percent more units per trip⁵.
100% Fiber-based packaging⁴
Safer Cleaners ?
All final assembly supplier sites are required to use safer cleaners and degreasers in their manufacturing processes, as determined by methodologies like ChemFORWARD, US EPA Safer Choice, or GreenScreen⁷. Learn more about the requirements in Apple's Regulated Substances Specification.
Energy Efficiency ⚡
iPhone Air uses at least 60 percent less energy than the energy efficiency standard⁸.
60% less energy
Longevity ⏳
iPhone Air features Ceramic Shield 2, which offers 3x better scratch resistance than the previous generation. Repairable components in the main logic board and enclosure have been increased, enabling more discrete repair options. See repair options.
Smarter Chemistry ?
All materials used in Apple products, accessories, and packaging are covered by the requirements of Apple's Regulated Substances Specification. Apple continues to stand out through other substance restrictions and initiatives:
- The Full Material Disclosure (FMD) program allows collection of material and chemical data deep into the supply chain to support Apple initiatives and compliance.
- Routine and robust toxicological assessments of all materials in prolonged skin contact help minimize risk to customers under normal use conditions.
- NGO partnerships advance safer alternatives, including the identification of substitutes and improved access to chemical hazard data.
To learn more, read Protocol for Prioritizing Chemicals of Concern in the Electronics Industry and Integrating Toxicological Assessments in Material Selection for Apple Products.
Zero Waste to Landfill ♻️
No established final assembly supplier sites generate any waste sent to landfill⁶.
People and Environment in Our Supply Chain ?
Apple requires its suppliers to provide safe and healthy workplaces where people are treated with dignity and respect, and to reduce their environmental impact. This includes helping suppliers transition to clean electricity, providing educational opportunities for their employees, and supporting final assembly suppliers in reducing waste. For more information, see apple.com/supplier-responsibility.
Definitions
- Carbon footprint:
- Estimated emissions calculated in accordance with ISO 14040, ISO 14044, and ISO 14067. Includes inherent uncertainty due to data limitations. Apple develops detailed process-based environmental models for top component contributors and relies on industry-average data for others. Calculations use 100-year time horizon global warming potentials (GWP100) from IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), including biogenic carbon. Life cycle phases included are Production, Transport, Use, and End-of-life processing, measured in CO2 equivalency (CO2e).
- Production:
- Includes the extraction, processing, 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 to regional hubs and customers.
- Use:
- Apple assumes three years of use time for iPhone, Watch, and AirPods, and four years for iPad, Mac, and other devices. Total energy use is based on use patterns of historically similar products, field telemetry, and modeling. Geographic differences in power grid mix are accounted for. Measurement practices follow Apple's privacy practices.
- 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 the product carbon footprint methodology, visit apple.com/environment/answers.
- Low-carbon electricity:
- Refers to both renewable electricity and other fossil-free projects considered "low-carbon" but not "renewable," such as nuclear and large-impact hydroelectricity projects. Apple accounts for the carbon impact of building and operating these projects.
- Low-carbon materials:
- Refers to materials created using production techniques with reduced carbon impact, such as Elysis or aluminum smelted using hydroelectricity.
- Paper:
- Definition adapted from ISO 4040, covering materials in sheet or web form made by fiber deposition.
- Recycled materials:
- Sourced from recovered rather than mined or primary materials. Recycled content is verified by an independent third party to a recycled content standard conforming to ISO 14021 definitions.
- Renewable materials:
- Bio-materials that can be regenerated in a human lifespan (e.g., wood fibers, sugarcane). Focus is on responsibly managed sources certified for sustainable practices.
- Supplier Clean Energy Program:
- Helps suppliers decarbonize their Apple production, including 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. The LCA boundary includes the physical product, all components, packaging, and in-box accessories.
Product Carbon Footprint by Configuration
| Configuration | Greenhouse gas emissions |
|---|---|
| 256GB | 55 kg CO2e |
| 512GB | 64 kg CO2e |
| 1TB | 84 kg CO2e |
Different configurations show potential ranges of carbon emissions. Uncertainty in modeling is due primarily to data limitations. Apple addresses this by developing detailed process-based environmental models with Apple-specific parameters for top contributors and relies on industry-average data for remaining elements.
For more information on the methodology, visit apple.com/environment/answers.
Recover
Apple Trade In offers customers a way to return old devices and accessories. Eligible devices can be traded in for credit or an Apple Store Gift Card; accessories and other devices can be recycled for free⁹. Apple also offers and participates in product take-back and recycling collection programs for 99 percent of countries where it sells products, holding recyclers to high standards. Learn more at apple.com/recycle.
Endnotes
- 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.
- Percentage of electricity-related emissions in manufacturing sourced from low-carbon electricity, attributed to supplier-procured low-carbon energy in the prior fiscal year based on supplier manufacturing allocations at product launch. This calculation assesses suppliers for iPhone Air and includes only low-carbon electricity procured by Apple or its suppliers as part of Apple's Supplier Clean Energy Program.
- Greenhouse gas emissions calculated using a life cycle assessment methodology in accordance with ISO 14040, 14044, and 14067 standards. The LCA boundary includes the physical product, all components, packaging, and all in-box accessories.
- Breakdown of U.S. retail packaging by weight. Adhesives, inks, and coatings are excluded from plastic content and packaging weight calculations. Fiber sourcing requirements are defined in Apple's Responsible Fiber Specification. Wood fibers include bamboo.
- Comparison to the number of units that can fit onto a pallet in typical orientation for iPhone packaging. Different locations may have different savings based on various pallet configurations.
- All established final assembly supplier sites (Apple suppliers for over one year) for iPhone Air 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.
- Chemicals meeting ChemFORWARD Hazard band C or better, except for x/c-CMR(2), or equivalent results from other methodologies like GreenScreen or U.S. EPA Safer Choice are considered safer and preferred. ChemFORWARD, GreenScreen®, and Safer Choice are comprehensive hazard assessment tools evaluating substances against multiple human health, environmental, and physical endpoints.
- Efficiency performance is based on U.S. Department of Energy Federal Energy Conservation Standards for Battery Chargers. ENERGY STAR does not certify smartphone devices. Energy efficiency terms are based on the following conditions:
- Power adapter, no-load: Condition in which the Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter with the USB-C Charge Cable (1m) is connected to AC power, but not connected to iPhone.
- Power adapter efficiency: Average of the 20W USB-C Power Adapter with the USB-C Charge Cable (1 m) measured efficiency when tested at 100 percent, 75 percent, 50 percent, and 25 percent of the power adapter's rated output current.
- Trade-in values vary based on condition, year, and configuration of the trade-in device, and may also vary between online and in-store trade-in. Users must be at least 18 years old. In-store trade-in requires a valid, government-issued photo ID. Additional terms from Apple or its trade-in partners may apply.
Power Consumption for iPhone Air
| Mode | 100V | 115V | 230V |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power adapter, no-load | 0.04W | 0.04W | 0.04W |
| Power adapter efficiency | 87.49% | 88.06% | 87.81% |
[EU Energy Label arrow] indicates Energy Efficiency Class required by the EU Energy Labelling regulation (2023/1669) for smartphones and tablets, effective June 20, 2025. Learn more at EU Energy Label for iPhone and iPad.
© 2025 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, AirPods, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Ceramic Shield, iPad, iPhone, Mac, and Taptic Engine are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. Apple Vision Pro is a trademark of Apple Inc. Apple Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. ENERGY STAR and the ENERGY STAR mark are registered trademarks owned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.
