On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, Apple presented their annual launch event, titled “Wonderlust”. It was live streamed on Apple TV and YouTube, and Apple executives revealed a variety of products including the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. At first glance these devices look very similar to previous years, but there is one pretty significant change.
At the same event, Apple also presented their “Apple 2030” project, a
plan to make carbon neutral products by the year 2030, only seven years away. The company plans to cut emissions through production materials, shipping materials, and energy consumption.
Since the launch of the iPhone 5 in 2012, iPhones have used the signature lightning charging cable. For years iPhone users have complained about the impracticality of the cable, since it was only compatible with select Apple devices. Every iPhone user has heard the phrase, “Android phones have had this feature for years,” and in this case it is true. However, this year Apple has finally introduced the USB-C cable on the iPhone, only to comply with the new European Union law, which will standardize the USB-C charger.
While most tech experts and influencers are excited about the long awaited change, those who upgrade to any of the iPhone 15 models will no longer have any use for their old Lightning cables. As a result, many users will dispose of their old chargers, producing e-waste (electronic waste), which can have negative effects on our climate.
Apple is obviously not the only culprit of excessive electronic waste; in fact, these Lightning chargers are a small portion of a much larger issue within the tech industry. The pollution of e-waste has become an ever-growing issue in a world where technology is constantly evolving. Electronic waste is known to have negative effects on the environment, as substances from items like smartphones, laptops, and chargers can leak into the environment and cause harm to ecosystems and the health of people. The charger swap might not have a massive effect on e-waste pollution, but we should use this as an opportunity to evaluate the amount of e-waste we produce as consumers of these products.
So what can we do about e-waste production? One of the best things that we can do to reduce our e-waste production is to recycle old electronics and accessories at an e-waste recycling facility. And while Apple might be involved in the production of e-waste, they are actively working to aid in the reusing of these resources. Action plans like Apple 2030 are ways that major companies can reduce their environmental impact. Apple and other cell phone carriers, such as Verizon, have also created programs that will recycle old devices and provide customers with discounts on their new products. Lastly, it is important to generally reduce the amount of electronics that we purchase. Waiting two to four years before upgrading your smartphone or computer can help reduce the amount of waste. And if you plan on upgrading to an iPhone 15, give your old Lightning chargers to relatives or friends who could still use them, no one wants to spend $20.00 on a new charger anyway.