Apple to use 100% recycled cobalt in products by 2025

Apple will use 100% recycled cobalt in their batteries along with 100% recycled tin soldering and gold plating for the circuit boards to slow down the mining production.

Currently two thirds of Apple’s aluminium materials are 100% recycled aligning with the company’s goal to reach carbon neutrality. The company also aims to use plastic free packaging by 2025 and develop fibre materials as an alternative to replace screen films and foam cushioning materials.

In addition, polypropylene plastic lamination on boxes and other packaging elements has been replaced with a new overprint varnish used in the packaging for some its most popular products. This has saved more than 2,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide and more than 1,100 tonnes of plastic.

Millions of microplastics ingested by grey whales everyday

Image by Pixabay

Researchers analysing the prey of grey whales off the Oregon coast say that the mammals are likely ingesting millions of tiny pieces of plastic, clothing fibres and other human debris every day that could be harming their health - and potentially people. Grey whales can consume more than 16 tonnes of plankton a day, and zooplankton has been found to contain more than 400 microparticles, half of which are man-made fibres. Grey whale waste has also been analysed and found to contain larger pieces of microplastics that are not filtered by their baleen.

It is also very likely that humans are ingesting microplastics through their fish-based diets, and researchers are now increasingly finding plastic nanoparticles in marine life.

New bills are being passed in America to phase out the use of polystyrene containers in takeout’s and product packaging as well as banning PFAS (forever chemicals).

Choosing refurbished over new phones reduces waste by 89%

Mobile phones have the shortest life span compared to any other piece of technology as sadly most of them go to the landfill, rather than being recycled. Newer phones are using up more natural resources, the mining to obtain these resources contributes to significant levels of CO2 being released into to the atmosphere contributing to pollution and global warming. Electronic waste is toxic, polluting and contributes up to 70% of toxic waste in landfills.

Purchasing refurbished phones can reduce waste by 89%, they work just like new, are cheaper and it is a much greener option.