Apple vows to ‘one day’ use recycled metals to make all of its products

TECHNOLOGY giant Apple wants to "one day" end the need to mine materials from the earth to make its gadgets, it said in its annual environmental responsibility report.

The company's research concluded that recycled aluminium should come from old Apple products rather than from recycling facilities because the gadget need to be made with high grade metal.

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Apple has been encouraging customers to return used products for recycling and has melted down iPhone aluminum enclosures to make mini computers used in its factories.

"Traditional supply chains are linear," Apple wrote today.

"Materials are mined, manufactured as products, and often end up in landfills after use. Then the process starts over and more materials are extracted from the earth for new products.

"We believe our goal should be a closed-loop supply chain, where products are built using only renewable resources or recycled material."

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The ultimate aim is "to one day end our reliance on mining altogether," said Apple, without settling a date.

Apple is already has been using recycled tin for its iPhone 6s.

"For tin, we took a different approach," the tech giant said.

"Unlike aluminium, there is an existing market supply of recycled tin that meets our quality standards."

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Apple did not disclose the amount of recycled products currently used in its products.

The tech giant said 96 percent of the electricity at its global facilities comes from renewable energy and that its new corporate campus is powered entirely by renewable energy.