Apple announced on Wednesday that all 14 of its final assembly sites in China have achieved zero-waste, using recycling or converting waste into energy.
Around the world, Apple has 18 final assembly suppliers/facilities in total. Of these, 14 are in China, two are in the United States, one is in South America, and one is in Europe.
Apple says the achievement of zero-waste was by working with UL, formerly known as Underwriters Laboratories, an independent science testing and safety company in America.
The UL standard has put the manufacturing waste to reuse, recycle, compost, or convert into energy when necessary.
Meanwhile, Apple also announced a commitment by its major glass supplier in China, Lens Technology Co, to power all of its glass production with entirely renewable energy by the end of 2018. Lens is the first supplier to commit to 100% renewable energy for all Apple operations.
Based in Shenzhen, Lens’ main product, touch-screen glass covers, are used in about one fifth of the world’s total smartphones, including Apple, Samsung and LG.
“We’re proud to work with suppliers like Lens that are committed to protecting the environment and advancing clean energy,” Tim Cook, CEO of Apple posted on his Weibo on Wednesday during his visit in China.
Lens Technology’s commitment is part of Apple’s new clean energy program in China, launched last year to promote green growth. With the clean energy programs, Apple plans to reduce over 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas pollution in China by 2020.
(Top photo from Baidu Images)