When will Apple completely eliminate plastic from its packaging?

Apple accelerated its timeline and will eliminate 100% of plastic from packaging by the end of 2024—originally scheduled for 2025. This means all new Apple products launched after 2024 will come in completely plastic-free packaging. The company is also phasing out leather products and aims for net-zero climate impact by 2030, with key metals like aluminum, cobalt, and gold sourced from recycled materials. Over 300 suppliers will use 100% clean energy for manufacturing Apple products by 2030.

What is Apple using instead of plastic packaging?

Apple is transitioning to molded pulp packaging made from bagasse (sugarcane fiber) and bamboo fiber. Products like Beats Studio Pro headphones and Vision Pro already use molded pulp inserts as part of Apple's 100% de-plasticized packaging goal. The iPad packaging is now 97-99% fiber-based after eliminating plastic outer film, and new iPad Pro/Air models no longer include the plastic Apple logo sticker. This shift to recyclable, biodegradable materials represents Apple's commitment to sustainable packaging solutions.

How much plastic has Apple already eliminated from its packaging?

Apple has made significant progress: the 2021 iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro cases eliminated plastic film, reducing plastic use by 600 tonnes annually. Since 2015, Apple reduced overall emissions by 45% while maintaining leadership in green energy and recyclable materials. The 2022 iPad packaging redesign removed plastic outer film to become 97% fiber-based, with iPad Pro packaging reaching 99% fiber content. These changes demonstrate measurable impact across Apple's entire product line.

Why is molded pulp packaging better for the environment than Apple's old plastic packaging?

Unlike the plastic wrap and plastic packaging used for older products like iPhone 5 and iPod (which weren't biodegradable and contributed to landfill waste), molded pulp packaging is fully recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable. Made from bagasse and bamboo fiber—renewable agricultural waste—it eliminates petroleum-based plastics entirely. Molded pulp also reduces carbon footprint in production and can be efficiently recycled by pulping to create new packaging, supporting circular economy principles that align with Apple's net-zero 2030 goal.

Will other tech companies follow Apple's lead on sustainable packaging?

Yes, major technology giants are already following Apple's example. Companies like Sony (smartphones and earbuds), Microsoft (Ocean Mouse), Dyson (hair dryers), and others are adopting molded pulp packaging solutions. With Apple demonstrating that eco-friendly packaging doesn't compromise product protection or premium aesthetics, the industry trend is accelerating. As environmentally friendly packaging becomes standard, molded pulp—being recyclable, biodegradable, and cost-effective at scale—will be applied across more product categories, driving sustainable development throughout the tech industry.

Apple eliminará los envases de plástico a finales de 2024

1. Compromiso de sostenibilidad de Apple

2. Colaboración con socios de la cadena de suministro

3. El embalaje de pulpa moldeada como solución

4. Reducción de emisiones y uso de materiales a base de fibra

5. Liderazgo ambiental y futuro de los envases ecológicos

6. Transición de envases de plástico en productos anteriores

Compromiso de sostenibilidad de Apple

Apple anunció en su evento Wonderlust que su plan para eliminar el 100% del plástico de sus embalajes, inicialmente previsto para 2025, se ha adelantado a este año. El gigante tecnológico afirma que eliminará gradualmente todos los embalajes de plástico para finales de 2024 y que eliminará gradualmente los productos de cuero. Para 2030, Apple aspira a reducir el impacto climático de sus dispositivos a cero emisiones netas, utilizando metales clave en su construcción, como el aluminio, el cobalto y el oro, procedentes de fuentes recicladas.

Colaboración con socios de la cadena de suministro

Para lograr sus objetivos de bajas emisiones de carbono, Apple ha comenzado a colaborar con sus socios de la cadena de suministro para investigar y desarrollar soluciones alternativas a los envases de plástico. Para 2030, más de 300 proveedores utilizarán energía 100 % limpia para fabricar productos Apple.

El embalaje de pulpa moldeada como solución

El embalaje de pulpa moldeada , como solución de alta calidad para reemplazar y limitar el plástico, se ha convertido en la mejor opción para que Apple logre su objetivo de embalaje desplastificado y con bajas emisiones de carbono. Los auriculares Beats Studio Pro de Apple utilizan embalaje de pulpa moldeada, hecho de bagazo y fibra de bambú . De igual manera, el nuevo Vision Pro de Apple incluyó un inserto de pulpa moldeada, hecho de bagazo, para apoyar el objetivo de Apple de tener un embalaje 100 % desplastificado para 2024.

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Reducción de emisiones y uso de materiales a base de fibra

Desde 2015, Apple ha reducido sus emisiones totales en un 45%, manteniendo su liderazgo en energía verde y materiales reciclables. Las fundas del iPhone 13 y el iPhone 13 Pro de 2021 ya no utilizan film plástico, lo que reduce el uso de plástico en 600 toneladas. En 2022, Apple rediseñó el embalaje del iPad para eliminar el film exterior de plástico, convirtiéndolo en un 97% de fibra, mientras que el nuevo embalaje del iPad Pro es un 99% de fibra. El 8 de mayo de 2024, Apple lanzó un nuevo embalaje para el iPad Pro y el iPad Air que ya no incluye la pegatina de plástico del logotipo de Apple.

Liderazgo ambiental y futuro de los envases ecológicos

Apple ha demostrado su firme compromiso con la protección del medio ambiente y su responsabilidad como líder tecnológico. Con la adopción por parte de los grandes gigantes tecnológicos de envases ecológicos , los envases de pulpa moldeada , como material ecológico y reciclable, adquirirán cada vez mayor relevancia y se aplicarán en más áreas, lo que revitalizará el desarrollo sostenible de la industria.

Transición de los envases de plástico en productos anteriores

Anteriormente, el iPhone 5 y el iPod de Apple se empaquetaban en envoltorios y embalajes de plástico de Apple , que, si bien eran elegantes y atractivos, no eran ecológicos. Estos plásticos de Apple se han vuelto obsoletos a medida que Apple migra a embalajes sostenibles . Hoy, Apple se centra en materiales reciclables , abandonando los métodos de producción al aire libre con plástico de Apple sin procesar y optando por soluciones más ecológicas y reciclables , lo que refleja su compromiso con la sostenibilidad.

FAQ · Questions You May Ask

When will Apple completely eliminate plastic from its packaging?

Apple accelerated its timeline and will eliminate 100% of plastic from packaging by the end of 2024—originally scheduled for 2025. This means all new Apple products launched after 2024 will come in completely plastic-free packaging. The company is also phasing out leather products and aims for net-zero climate impact by 2030, with key metals like aluminum, cobalt, and gold sourced from recycled materials. Over 300 suppliers will use 100% clean energy for manufacturing Apple products by 2030.
What is Apple using instead of plastic packaging?

Apple is transitioning to molded pulp packaging made from bagasse (sugarcane fiber) and bamboo fiber. Products like Beats Studio Pro headphones and Vision Pro already use molded pulp inserts as part of Apple's 100% de-plasticized packaging goal. The iPad packaging is now 97-99% fiber-based after eliminating plastic outer film, and new iPad Pro/Air models no longer include the plastic Apple logo sticker. This shift to recyclable, biodegradable materials represents Apple's commitment to sustainable packaging solutions.
How much plastic has Apple already eliminated from its packaging?

Apple has made significant progress: the 2021 iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro cases eliminated plastic film, reducing plastic use by 600 tonnes annually. Since 2015, Apple reduced overall emissions by 45% while maintaining leadership in green energy and recyclable materials. The 2022 iPad packaging redesign removed plastic outer film to become 97% fiber-based, with iPad Pro packaging reaching 99% fiber content. These changes demonstrate measurable impact across Apple's entire product line.
Why is molded pulp packaging better for the environment than Apple's old plastic packaging?

Unlike the plastic wrap and plastic packaging used for older products like iPhone 5 and iPod (which weren't biodegradable and contributed to landfill waste), molded pulp packaging is fully recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable. Made from bagasse and bamboo fiber—renewable agricultural waste—it eliminates petroleum-based plastics entirely. Molded pulp also reduces carbon footprint in production and can be efficiently recycled by pulping to create new packaging, supporting circular economy principles that align with Apple's net-zero 2030 goal.
Will other tech companies follow Apple's lead on sustainable packaging?

Yes, major technology giants are already following Apple's example. Companies like Sony (smartphones and earbuds), Microsoft (Ocean Mouse), Dyson (hair dryers), and others are adopting molded pulp packaging solutions. With Apple demonstrating that eco-friendly packaging doesn't compromise product protection or premium aesthetics, the industry trend is accelerating. As environmentally friendly packaging becomes standard, molded pulp—being recyclable, biodegradable, and cost-effective at scale—will be applied across more product categories, driving sustainable development throughout the tech industry.