Key Environmental Highlights
A detailed image of the Apple Watch Ultra 3, featuring a large, circular display showing the time '10:09' with various complications including UV index, weather information, and location data ('NYC'). The watch is shown with a Titanium Milanese Loop band.
- 40% recycled content in Apple Watch Ultra 3
- 100% of manufacturing electricity sourced from renewable energy
- 3D printed titanium case uses 50% less raw material than its predecessor
This report includes data current as of product launch. Product evaluations are based on U.S. configuration of Apple Watch Ultra 3 paired with Titanium Milanese Loop. Product carbon footprint calculations include in-box accessories as well as packaging.
Product Carbon and Material Footprint
Apple is focused on decarbonizing emissions from materials, electricity, and transportation across its value chain. Progress is being made by expanding suppliers' sourcing of renewable energy, with 100 percent of manufacturing electricity for Apple Watch Ultra 3 sourced from renewable energy projects. Apple also matches 100 percent of expected customer product use with low-carbon electricity. The company prioritizes the use of recycled, renewable, and low-carbon materials while focusing on energy efficiency of software and hardware. Responsible selection and sourcing of materials and components are prioritized to minimize product carbon footprint. Apple works to recover its own scrap at high purity and looks to postindustrial and postconsumer sources for waste streams.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Breakdown
For the Apple Watch Ultra 3 paired with Titanium Milanese Loop, the Net GHG emissions are 11 kg CO2e. The emissions are distributed as follows:
- Production: Materials and Process Emissions: 42%
- Renewable Energy Emissions: 39%
- Production: Electricity: 17%
- Transportation: 2%
- Electricity for Charging: 0%
- End-of-Life Processing: 0%
Recycled Content
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 contains 40% recycled content, including specific materials:
- 100% recycled cobalt in the battery
- 100% recycled copper in the charging coil and multiple printed circuit boards
- 100% recycled gold plating and tin solder in all Apple-designed printed circuit boards
- 100% recycled gold plating in all connectors
- 95% recycled lithium in the battery
- 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets
- 80% recycled steel in the speaker and Taptic Engine
- 100% recycled titanium in the case
- 100% recycled tungsten in the Taptic Engine
Read more about Apple's commitment at apple.com/2030.
Product Insights
Water Management
[?] Water is a local resource. Apple's water strategy respects local conditions where operations and suppliers are located. Data is collected and analyzed to understand water impacts. The Supplier Clean Water program aims for an average 50% water reuse rate by 2030 in high water stress locations. Learn more.
Packaging
[?] The packaging is 100% fiber-based and uses only recycled or responsibly sourced fibers.
Manufacturing Processes
[?] All final assembly supplier sites are required to use safer cleaners and degreasers, determined by methodologies like ChemFORWARD, US EPA Safer Choice, or GreenScreen®. Learn more about requirements in the Regulated Substances Specification.
Energy Efficiency
[⚡] Apple Watch Ultra 3 meets California's stringent requirements for energy efficiency.
Product Longevity and Durability
[⏳] Apple Watch Ultra 3 is made with durable materials, featuring 100-meter water resistance (ISO22810:2010), tested to MIL-STD 810H aspects, and rated IP68 dust resistant. Apple continuously strives to increase product longevity through design, manufacturing, software support, and repair services. See repair options.
Material Safety
[?] All materials in Apple products, accessories, and packaging are covered by the Regulated Substances Specification. Initiatives include the Full Material Disclosure (FMD) program, routine toxicological assessments for skin contact, and NGO partnerships for safer alternatives. Read Protocol for Prioritizing Chemicals of Concern in the Electronics Industry and Integrating Toxicological Assessments in Material Selection for Apple Products.
Waste Management
[?️] No established final assembly supplier sites generate waste sent to landfill.
Supply Chain Responsibility
[?] Apple requires suppliers to provide safe, healthy workplaces and reduce environmental impact. This includes helping suppliers transition to clean electricity, providing educational opportunities, and supporting waste reduction. For more information, see apple.com/supplier-responsibility.
Definitions
Carbon Footprint
Estimated emissions calculated per ISO 14040, ISO 14044, and ISO 14067 standards. Uncertainty exists due to data limitations. Apple uses process-based environmental models for top contributors and industry averages for others. Calculations use 100-year global warming potentials (GWP100) from IPCC AR6. Life cycle phases included in CO2e:
- Production: Extraction, processing, and transportation of raw materials, manufacture, transport, and assembly of parts and packaging.
- Transport: Ground, air, and sea transportation of the finished product and packaging from manufacturing to customers or distribution hubs.
- Use: Assumes three years of use for iPhone, Watch, AirPods; four years for iPad, Mac, etc. Energy use based on historical data, telemetry, and modeling. Geographic grid mix is accounted for.
- End-of-life processing: Transportation to recycling centers and energy for mechanical separation/shredding.
For more information on methodology, visit apple.com/environment/answers.
Other Definitions
- Low-carbon electricity: Renewable electricity and other fossil-free projects (e.g., nuclear, large hydroelectric) considered low-carbon by Apple.
- Low-carbon materials: Materials produced with reduced carbon impact (e.g., Elysis technology, aluminum smelted using hydroelectricity).
- Paper: Defined per ISO 4046 for coherent sheets or webs made from fiber suspension.
- Recycled materials: Sourced from recovered materials, verified by third parties to ISO 14021 standards.
- Renewable materials: Bio-materials regenerable within a human lifespan (e.g., wood fibers, sugarcane), managed responsibly for continuous production.
- Supplier Clean Energy Program: Apple assists suppliers in decarbonizing production, including transitioning to 100% renewable electricity.
Carbon Footprint
Greenhouse gas emissions calculated using a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology (ISO 14040, ISO 14044, ISO 14067). The LCA boundary includes the physical product, components, packaging, and in-box accessories.
Product Carbon Footprint
| Configuration | Greenhouse gas emissions |
|---|---|
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 paired with Titanium Milanese Loop | 11 kg CO2e |
Apple models different configurations to show potential carbon emission ranges, addressing uncertainty with detailed environmental models and industry averages. For methodology details, visit apple.com/environment/answers.
Recover
Apple Trade In and Recycling
Apple Trade In offers a way to return old devices and accessories for credit or recycling. Accessories and other devices can be recycled for free. Apple participates in product take-back and recycling programs in 99% of countries where it sells products, holding recyclers to high standards. Learn more at apple.com/recycle.
Endnotes
Notes
- 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. Manufacturing electricity is sourced from clean electricity, including a mix of supplier and Apple clean energy projects.
- 3. Comparison of titanium required for Apple Watch Ultra 3 case versus Apple Watch Ultra 2.
- 4. Greenhouse gas emissions calculated using a life cycle assessment methodology (ISO 14040, 14044, 14067). LCA boundary includes the physical product, components, packaging, and in-box accessories.
- 5. Breakdown of U.S. retail packaging by weight. Adhesives, inks, and coatings are excluded. Fiber sourcing requirements defined in Apple's Responsible Fiber Specification. Wood fibers include bamboo.
- 6. Established final assembly supplier sites (Apple suppliers for >1 year) for Apple Watch Ultra 3 are third-party verified as Zero Waste by UL LLC (UL 2799 Standard). UL requires ≥90% diversion for Zero Waste to Landfill (Silver 90-94%, Gold 95-99%, Platinum 100%).
- 7. Chemicals meeting ChemFORWARD Hazard band C or better, or equivalent results from GreenScreen or U.S. EPA Safer Choice, are considered safer. These tools evaluate substances against human health, environmental, and physical endpoints.
- 8. Apple Watch Ultra 3 meets California Energy Commission's Energy Efficiency Standards for Small Battery Charger Systems. ENERGY STAR does not certify Apple Watch devices.
- 9. Apple Watch Ultra 3 has 100-meter water resistance (ISO 22810:2010) and is certified to EN13319, suitable for shallow-water activities, high-speed water sports, and recreational scuba diving to 40 meters.
- 10. MIL-STD 810H is a military equipment certification. Tested categories include: Altitude, High Temperature, Low Temperature, Temperature Shock, Immersion, Freeze/Thaw, Shock, Vibration.
- 11. Trade-in values vary by device condition, year, configuration, and location. Minimum age 18. In-store trade-in requires valid photo ID. Additional terms may apply.
Power Consumption for Apple Watch Ultra 3
| Mode | 100V | 115V | 230V |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charger Power—Watch Disconnected | 0.22W | 0.22W | 0.24W |
| Power adapter efficiency | 86.6% | 86.9% | 85.7% |
Energy efficiency terms
Charger Power - Watch Disconnected: Condition where the Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter with the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable (1m) is connected to AC power but not to Apple Watch Ultra 3, measured per US DOE procedures (Appendix Y to Subpart B of Part 430, Title 10, no battery mode).
Power adapter efficiency: Average efficiency of the Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter, measured per US DOE procedures (Appendix Z to Subpart B of Part 430, Title 10 at lowest voltage output).
