AirPods Pro 3 Product Environmental Report
Date introduced: September 9, 2025
Overview
Image of Apple AirPods Pro 3 earbuds and their charging case.
40% recycled content in AirPods Pro 3¹
65% recycled plastic in the MagSafe Charging Case
AirPods Pro 3 are powered by recycled materials
with a battery containing 100% recycled cobalt and 95% recycled lithium
This report includes data current as of product launch. Product evaluations are based on U.S. configuration of AirPods Pro 3. 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 40 percent of manufacturing electricity for AirPods Pro 3 sourced from renewable energy projects. The company prioritizes the use of recycled, renewable, and low-carbon materials while focusing on energy efficiency.
Responsible selection and sourcing of materials and components are prioritized. Apple works to recover its own scrap at high purity and looks to postindustrial and postconsumer sources for waste streams that can be recovered and used in new products, as recycled materials typically emit less carbon than newly mined materials.
A pie chart illustrates the carbon footprint breakdown for AirPods Pro 3. The total net GHG emissions are 13 kg CO2e. The segments are:
- 53% Production: Electricity
- 22% Production: Materials and Process Emissions
- 21% Transportation
- 2% Renewable Energy Emissions
- 1% Electricity for Charging
- 1% End-of-Life Processing
AirPods Pro 3: 40% recycled content¹, including:
- 100% recycled aluminum in the hinge of the case
- 100% recycled cobalt in the battery
- 100% recycled copper in multiple printed circuit boards
- 100% recycled copper foil and wire in the inductive charger
- 100% recycled gold plating in all connectors
- 100% recycled gold plating and tin solder in all Apple-designed printed circuit boards
- 95% recycled lithium in the battery
- 65% recycled plastic in the case
- 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets
Read more at apple.com/2030 ▶️
Product Insights
Water
? Water is a local resource. Apple's water strategy respects local conditions. The Supplier Clean Water program aims for a 50% water reuse rate by 2030. Learn more ▶️
Package and Ship
? Packaging is 100% fiber-based using recycled or responsibly sourced fibers. Designed to be smaller than AirPods Pro 2 boxes, enabling 25% more units shipped per trip. 100% Fiber-based packaging. Learn more ▶️
Safer Cleaners
? All final assembly supplier sites 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
? AirPods Pro 3 meet U.S. Department of Energy requirements for battery charger systems.
Longevity
⏳ AirPods Pro 3 feature IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistance. Apple continuously strives to increase product longevity through design, manufacturing, software support, and repair services. See repair options ▶️
Smarter Chemistry
⚛️ Materials in Apple products, accessories, and packaging adhere to Regulated Substances Specification, restricting key substances of concern. Initiatives include Full Material Disclosure (FMD) program, toxicological assessments, and NGO partnerships for safer alternatives. 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 waste sent to landfill.
People and Environment in Our Supply Chain
? Suppliers must provide safe, healthy workplaces and reduce environmental impact, adhering to the Supplier Code of Conduct. Apple supports suppliers in transitioning to clean electricity, providing education, and 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 standards. Includes uncertainty due to data limitations. Apple uses detailed process-based environmental models for top contributors and industry averages for others. Calculations use 100-year global warming potentials (GWP100) from IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), including biogenic carbon. Life cycle phases included in CO2 equivalency (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 site to customers or distribution hubs.
- Use: Assumes three years of use for iPhone, Watch, and AirPods; four years for iPad, Mac, and other devices. Energy use is based on patterns of similar products and field telemetry. Geographic differences in power grid mix are accounted for.
- End-of-life processing: Transportation from collection hubs to recycling centers and energy used in mechanical separation and shredding.
For more information on our product carbon footprint methodology, visit apple.com/environment/answers ▶️
Low-carbon electricity
Refers to renewable electricity and other fossil-free projects considered "low-carbon" but not "renewable" (e.g., nuclear, large-impact hydroelectricity). Apple accounts for the carbon impact of building and operating these projects.
Low-carbon materials
Materials created using production techniques with reduced carbon impact, such as Elysis for aluminum smelting using hydroelectricity instead of coal.
Paper
Definition adapted from ISO 4040 for 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.
Renewable materials
Bio-materials that can be regenerated in a human lifespan (e.g., wood fibers, sugarcane), managed responsibly to enable continuous production without depleting resources.
Supplier Clean Energy Program
Helps suppliers decarbonize Apple production by transitioning electricity use to 100 percent renewable sources, as electricity is the largest contributor to the overall carbon footprint.
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, components, packaging, and all in-box accessories.
| Configuration | Greenhouse gas emissions |
|---|---|
| AirPods Pro 3 | 13 kg CO2e |
Apple models different configurations to show potential carbon emission ranges, acknowledging inherent uncertainty due to data limitations. For top contributors, detailed process-based environmental models with Apple-specific parameters are used. For remaining elements, industry-average data and assumptions are relied upon.
For more information on our product carbon footprint methodology, visit apple.com/environment/answers ▶️
Recover
Apple Trade In offers a seamless 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 free. Apple also participates in product take-back and recycling collection programs in 99 percent of countries where products are sold, holding recyclers to high standards.
Learn more at apple.com/recycle ▶️
