Apple Watch SE Carbon Neutral Product Environmental Report

Date Introduced: September 12, 2023

Carbon Neutrality Overview

Apple is committed to making its products carbon neutral across the entire value chain by 2030. This report details the environmental strategy for the Apple Watch SE, focusing on reducing carbon emissions through various initiatives.

Key aspects include:

Carbon Neutrality: 30% recycled or renewable content, 100% of manufacturing electricity sourced from clean energy, 50% or more non-air shipping.
Smarter Chemistry: Free from arsenic, mercury, brominated flame retardants, PVC, and beryllium. Meets European REACH regulation on nickel.
Longevity: Made with durable materials and has a water resistance rating of 50 meters (ISO 22810:2010).
Responsible Packaging: 100% fiber-based packaging, eliminating plastic.
Recovery: Encourages product return through Apple Trade In for reuse or recycling.
Responsible Manufacturing: Adheres to strict supplier codes of conduct for people and the planet.

The Apple Watch SE, when paired with any new Sport Loop, is carbon neutral.

Carbon Neutrality Strategy

Apple's goal is to achieve carbon neutrality for its manufacturing supply chain and products by 2030, requiring a substantial reduction in total carbon emissions. The strategy focuses on:

Transitioning to clean electricity.
Designing with recycled and renewable materials.
Prioritizing lower-carbon shipping methods (e.g., ocean freight).
Applying carbon credits from high-quality projects only after significant emission reductions have been achieved.

How Emissions Were Reduced

Apple Watch SE and Sport Loop achieved emission reductions through several key areas:

100% Clean Electricity for Manufacturing: The entire supply chain for Apple Watch SE and Sport Loop manufacturing uses clean energy.
Matched Emissions from Charging: Apple invests in clean energy projects globally to match 100% of expected customer product use electricity consumption.
Increased Non-Air Transportation: Shifting from air to lower-carbon modes like ocean or rail for product transport, with 50% or more by non-air modes for carbon neutral products.
Used Recycled and Renewable Materials: Increasing recycled content in products, aiming for 100% recycled or renewable materials. Apple Watch SE and Sport Loop contain over 30% total recycled content by weight.

Achieving Carbon Neutrality

To address remaining emissions, Apple utilizes nature-based solutions and high-quality carbon credits from projects aligned with international standards (Verra, CCB, FSC). These credits are applied after aggressive emission reduction efforts.

The carbon footprint calculation for Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular 44mm paired with Sport Loop) shows a reduction of 75% from a baseline of 29.8 kg CO2e, resulting in 7.2 kg CO2e total product emissions before carbon credits, which are then offset to achieve 0 kg CO2e net emissions.

Diagram Description: A visual representation of emissions reduction. Baseline emissions of 29.8 kg are reduced by 22.6 kg through various initiatives like clean electricity, recycled materials, and non-air shipping, leading to 7.2 kg of total product emissions. These are then offset by 7.2 kg of carbon credits, resulting in 0 kg net emissions.

Lifecycle Responsibility

Apple takes responsibility for its products throughout their lifecycle, focusing on reducing environmental impact at every stage:

Source Materials: Maximizing recycled content and responsibly sourcing primary materials.
Make: Responsible manufacturing with high labor and environmental standards.
Package and Ship: Eliminating plastic from packaging and minimizing transportation emissions.
Use: Minimizing product use emissions, enhancing longevity, and avoiding harmful chemicals.
Recover: Maximizing material recovery at end of life through programs like Apple Trade In.

Diagram Description: A circular diagram illustrating Apple's product lifecycle approach: Source Materials (maximize recycled content), Make (responsible manufacturing), Package and Ship (eliminate plastic, minimize transport emissions), Use (minimize emissions, enhance longevity), and Recover (maximize material recovery). This cycle emphasizes continuous improvement and responsibility.

Source Materials

Apple Watch SE and Sport Loop contain over 30% recycled or renewable content. Apple prioritizes responsible sourcing and uses recycled materials extensively:

Aluminum: 100% recycled aluminum for the case.
Gold: 100% recycled gold used in the plating of printed circuit boards.
Tin: 100% recycled tin used in solder for printed circuit boards.
Rare Earth Elements: 100% recycled rare earth elements in magnets (99% of total).
Tungsten: 100% recycled tungsten in the Taptic Engine.

The product is free from harmful substances like beryllium, brominated flame retardants, PVC, phthalates, arsenic, and mercury.

Make (Manufacturing)

Apple suppliers are committed to the Supplier Clean Energy Program, transitioning to clean and renewable energy. Key initiatives include:

Greener Chemicals: Use of safer cleaners and degreasers in manufacturing.
Zero Waste to Landfill: No final assembly supplier sites generate waste sent to landfill.
Supplier Energy Use: 100% of manufacturing electricity is sourced from clean electricity.

Package and Ship

Packaging for Apple Watch SE and Sport Loop is 100% fiber-based, with a goal of plastic-free packaging by 2025. The packaging contains 44% recycled content and uses wood fiber from responsibly managed forests. The redesigned box is 28% smaller, increasing shipping efficiency. Transportation prioritizes lower-carbon modes like rail and ocean freight.

Key packaging statistics:

100% of packaging is fiber-based.
44% recycled content in fiber packaging.
100% of new wood fiber comes from responsibly managed forests.

Use

Apple designs products to be energy efficient, long-lasting, and safe. Apple Watch SE meets California's energy efficiency requirements and uses power-efficient components. Apple also conducts rigorous testing and provides ongoing support through software updates and authorized repair professionals. Efforts are underway to support grid decarbonization through clean energy projects and customer engagement.

Designed to Last: Durable materials and 50-meter water resistance (ISO 22810:2010).

Made with Smarter Chemistry: Rigorous controls for materials based on toxicologist and dermatologist recommendations.

Recover

Apple Trade In offers a seamless way for customers to return old devices and accessories for credit or recycling. This program maximizes material recovery and extends product life. Apple also provides guidance for professional recyclers to ensure safe disassembly and material recovery.

For more information on recycling, visit apple.com/trade-in.

Carbon Footprint Details

Greenhouse gas emissions are calculated using a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The carbon footprint for Apple Watch SE (GPS + Cellular 44mm paired with Sport Loop) is detailed below:

Greenhouse gas emissions	Apple Watch SE with Sport Loop
Apple emissions from utility-purchased electricity (scope 2)	0 kg CO2e
Life cycle product emissions (scope 3)	7.2 kg CO2e
Production	81%
Generation of renewable electricity - production	9%
Transportation	14%
Product use	4%
Generation of renewable electricity - product use	4%
End-of-life processing	2%
GHG reductions achieved	↓75%
Product footprint before carbon credits	7.2 kg CO2e
Carbon credits applied (per product)	7.2 kg CO2e
Total product footprint after carbon credits	0 kg CO2e

A similar calculation for Apple Watch SE with Milanese Loop shows a product footprint of 8.2 kg CO2e before carbon credits.

For more information on the methodology, visit apple.com/environment/answers.

High Quality Carbon Removal and Offsets

Apple's goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 involves emissions avoidance, reduction, and long-term carbon removal initiatives like the Restore Fund. This fund invests in nature-based projects to restore ecosystems and generate carbon credits. Projects include sustainable forestry in Brazil and Paraguay, aiming to remove one million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually starting in 2025.

Apple uses credits from projects that meet international standards like Verra, CCB, and FSC, ensuring they are real, additional, measurable, and permanent. Carbon credits are retired annually to offset remaining emissions.

An example project is the Forestal Apepu Carbon Project in Paraguay, focused on reforestation and carbon sequestration.

Certification

SCS Global Services has certified Apple's commitment to Carbon Neutral Certification for the Apple Watch SE with Sport Loop and Milanese Loop. The certification is based on standards like SCS-108 and ISO 14067:2018.

Apple Watch SE with Sport Loop:

Total Estimated Emissions Verified: 7.23 KGS OF CO2e PER UNIT
Total Estimated Emissions to Offset: 7.23 KGS OF CO2e PER UNIT
Certification Period: October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2026.

Apple Watch SE with Milanese Loop:

Total Estimated Emissions Verified: 8.20 KGS OF CO2e PER UNIT
Total Estimated Emissions to Offset: 8.20 KGS OF CO2e PER UNIT
Certification Period: October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2026.

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