Apple Product Recycling Guide

Table of Contents

• About This Guide
• Product Identification
• 2012/19/EU Directive Annex VII Components
• Safety Precautions
• Battery Safety
• Workspace Safety Guidelines
• Responding to Thermal Runaway
• Disassembly Procedures
• Recommended Tools
• Steps
• Product Components and Locations
• Additional Resources

About This Guide

Apple is committed to manufacturing products using recycled and renewable materials as a future goal. A key method to achieve this goal is to increase the resource recovery rate of used electronics. This guide provides guidance for electronics recyclers on how to disassemble Apple products, aiming for maximum resource recovery. It details disassembly steps and provides material composition information to help recyclers deliver parts to appropriate recycling facilities based on their material composition. The disassembly procedures are intended for trained professional electronics recyclers only. Recyclers are responsible for independently assessing and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws regarding environmental, health, and safety in their operations. This includes, but is not limited to, laws governing waste management, handling, and disposal, as well as laws ensuring the health and safety of all personnel involved in the process. For questions or comments regarding this guide, please contact contactesci@apple.com.

For more information on identifying iPad models, please refer to the support pages:

• https://support.apple.com/106343
• https://support.apple.com/108043

Product Identification

Refer to the support pages for information on how to identify iPad models.

2012/19/EU Directive Annex VII Components

The requirements of Annex VII of the 2012/19/EU Directive apply to the following substances and components:

Note: Refer to the "Product Components and Locations" section on page 8 for the location of materials and components requiring sorting. The USB-C charging cable connects to the bottom of the device where the port is located, with the other end of the cable connected to a power adapter.

Safety Precautions

Recyclers are responsible for independently assessing and ensuring compliance with all applicable health and safety laws for all activities performed or assisted by their employees. This includes, but is not limited to, health and safety laws applicable to all employees performing or assisting with the work. Recyclers are also responsible for assessing their workspaces. Ensure that the work area is designed according to ergonomic best practices and meets all ergonomic requirements to ensure employee protection.

To ensure the safety of recycler employees and mitigate potential hazards, damaged OLEDs must be handled with care. Recyclers must store damaged OLEDs in appropriate containers and ensure that hazards associated with OLED materials are prevented. OLEDs should only be stored with materials that do not react chemically. All waste must be properly sorted, packaged, and labeled in accordance with all applicable laws. Failure to do so may result in penalties.

Battery Safety

This product uses a Lithium-ion Polymer battery. Follow these steps for safe removal and disposal of the battery:

• If possible, discharge the battery to less than 25% before removal. Discharging the battery reduces the risk of thermal runaway.
• Remove any metallic items such as jewelry or watches, as they can cause electric shock.
• Do not puncture, strike, or crush the Lithium-ion Polymer battery or devices containing it, as this may cause thermal runaway or toxic gas release.
• Do not throw, drop, or bend the battery.
• Do not expose the battery to excessive heat or direct sunlight.
• Use only non-conductive, non-pointed tools.
• Do not place foreign objects or sharp objects in the workspace.
• Dispose of the battery in accordance with local environmental laws and guidelines.

Workspace Safety Guidelines

• Wear heat-resistant gloves and safety goggles.
• Place the sand container not on the workbench, but 0.6m away from the left or right edge of the workbench, within reach. The container should be wide-mouthed, easy to empty, made of metal with a lid or tray, and hold 8-10 cups (1.9-2.4L) of clean, dry, untreated sand.
• Keep the battery at least 0.6m away from paper or other flammable materials.
• Work in a well-ventilated area.

Responding to Thermal Runaway

If any of the following situations occur, thermal runaway may be occurring, and immediate action is required:

• Smoke, sparks, or soot are emanating from the Lithium-ion Polymer battery or a device containing it.
• The battery pouch (outer casing) suddenly swells rapidly.
• Hissing or popping sounds are heard.

What NOT to do: Do not use water or ABC/CO2 fire extinguishers on a battery experiencing thermal runaway or on a device containing such a battery. Water or ABC/CO2 fire extinguishers will not stop the symptoms of thermal runaway.

What TO do: Immediately cover the battery or device with all the clean, dry sand and bury it. Speed is critical. The faster the sand is applied, the sooner the thermal runaway will stop.

What TO do: If an irritating odor is present due to thermal runaway, vacate the area for 30 minutes.

What TO do: After waiting 30 minutes, approach the battery. Wear heat-resistant gloves and safety goggles to remove the battery from the sand, or use a non-contact thermometer to measure the battery temperature. Do not touch the battery until it is confirmed safe to do so.

What TO do: Dispose of the damaged battery or device (including any fragments remaining in the sand) in accordance with local environmental laws and guidelines.

Disassembly Procedures

Recommended Tools

• Nail puller
• Plastic pry tool
• Screwdriver with driver handle

Steps

1. Remove the USB-C charging cable and power adapter.
2. With the screen facing up, insert the screwdriver with driver handle into the bottom of the display and pry upwards to open the iPad.
3. Remove the display by hand.
4. Using the plastic pry tool, remove the Lithium-ion battery from the enclosure.
5. Using the nail puller, remove the main logic board.

Note: All parts disassembled in this procedure must be managed, handled, and disposed of in accordance with applicable waste laws. This includes, but is not limited to, the EU Waste Framework Directive and relevant national legislation.

Product Components and Locations

An exploded view diagram shows the following components:

• Cover Glass (Step 2)
• Display (Step 2)
• Dust Gasket
• Logic Board (Step 5)
• Battery (Step 4)
• Speaker
• Top Button
• Camera
• Smart Connector Cable Gasket
• USB-C Connector Gasket
• Top Button and Camera Connector Gasket
• Speaker
• Enclosure
• Multi-Touch Connector Gasket
• Volume Button
• Mic Connector Gasket
• Display/Multi-Touch Connector Gasket
• USB-C Connector
• Front Camera

Additional Resources

Apple Trade In and Recycling

For information on Apple's trade-in and recycling options, please visit here.

Other Resources

For information on iPad disposal and recycling, please visit here.