Written by Kelsey Maxwell
Over the past few decades, Apple Inc. has become one of the wealthiest and most powerful companies in the world. Trying to distinguish itself from other global corporations, Apple has begun to adopt radically sustainable practices, exemplifying corporate responsibility and serving as an emblem of true innovation and progress.
This paradigm shift occurred when Tim Cook took over as Apple’s new CEO in 2011. He has explained that Apple “…does a lot of things for reasons besides profit motive. We want to leave the world better than we found it.”
Although it can be contested that the implementation of sustainable practices was motivated by profit, Cook has in fact proven his dedication to mitigating environmental destruction.
Starting with efforts at home, Apple has instituted the exclusive use of renewable energy sources for each of their retail stores, corporate offices, and data center in the United States, making the company one of the top producers and buyers of clean energy in the country.
Acknowledging that a majority of their carbon footprint comes from production abroad, Apple has installed massive amounts of solar panels in China and Mongolia, making 93 percent of their global operations free of fossil fuels.
Additionally, modifications are being made to reduce the carbon footprint of products and packaging.
Since 2006, Apple has worked to eliminate toxins and precious metals such as mercury and beryllium from their products to protect workers, consumers, and the environment. They have also divested from illegal and unsustainable material extraction operations which electronic companies including Dell and Samsung are still using.
Serving to further distinguish themselves from other companies, 99 percent of Apple’s paper and packaging is recyclable or sourced sustainably. In attempt to offset the deforestation caused by paper consumption, Apple has partnered with The Conservation Fund to protect 36,000 acres of forest in the United States and hopes to continue to protect forests internationally.
These are just a few example of the notable changes Apple has made to implement a more sustainable cooperate model, and the magnitude of these changes cannot be understated. However, it is important to acknowledge that Apple is still a profit driven institution and these modifications would never have occurred if they led to a decrease in revenue.
The economic climate of the U.S. is changing, and adopting a sustainable corporate model can increase profits due to consumer purchasing behavior and the future of fossil fuels.
Stakeholders, investors, and product buyers are considering the environmental impact of companies and products before making investments, which lends value to being seen as a green company. A recent study demonstrated that corporations, which actively manage and plan for climate change, secure an 18 percent higher return on investment (ROI) than companies that do not—and 67 percent higher than companies who refuse to disclose their emissions. The predicted eventual rise in fossil fuel prices and the eventual low cost of renewable energy sources have also led companies like Apple to plan for the future and invest heavily in sustainable energy.
With an understanding of the economic and social systems at play, it is important to explore the ways in which Apple acts unsustainably in order to maximize profits. Most Apple product users can attest to the fact that Apple products tend to break after a specific amount of time. This process is utilized by companies to ensure that consumers continue to buy new products.
Although Apple has addressed the issue of e-waste by implementing a recycling system that makes their products almost completely recyclable, it must be recognized that environmental impact could be greatly reduced if fewer items were produced. If Apple was truly invested in corporate sustainability, they would adopt a circular economic model where products were long-lasting and components were easily replaceable.
Despite some imperfections, Apple is far ahead of their competitors in adopting sustainable practices and they are reaping the benefits as a result.
Corporations such as Google, Walmart, and Dell are beginning to follow in Apple’s footsteps, proving that companies are capable of benefiting from corporate responsibility within our economic system.
Although it will be a long time before a majority of companies have the ability to adopt sustainability, Apple serves as a beacon of hope within an environmentally destructive capitalist system.