How Green is the iPhone [Infographic]

How Green is the iPhone?

The iPhone is one of the most popular consumer electronics in the world, but its production, use, and disposal come with significant environmental and ethical concerns. This infographic provides an in-depth look at the ecological impact of Apple’s iPhone, breaking down emissions, recycling rates, production labor conditions, and packaging improvements to determine how “green” the device truly is.

iPhone Production and Labor Conditions

The iPhone is a complex product requiring components from all over the world. More than 10,000 people across 30 companies in three continents contribute to the development of each iPhone. These parts come from various countries, including:

• Bluetooth chip – United States
• Touchscreen surface and LCD screen – Japan
• CNC chip, camera, battery, and connector cables – Germany
• Flash memory chip – South Korea
• Video processor chip – Taiwan

Despite the global reach of production, many workers in China—where assembly takes place—are underpaid. Over 300,000 workers earn less than $10 per day assembling iPhones, raising concerns about labor conditions and fair wages.

The latest iPhone 16 is produced outside of China. Apple assembled 14 percent of global iPhones in India in FY24 and India’s ranking in global electronics export improved by four positions. 

Apple has reportedly partnered with Foxconn to produce iPhone 16 units in Jundiaí, São Paulo.

Sources of iPhone’s CO₂ Emissions

According to Apple’s report, the carbon footprint of an iPhone is primarily driven by the following factors:

• Production (79%) – The majority of emissions stem from raw material extraction, production, and transport, as well as manufacturing, assembly, and packaging.
• Usage (18%) – Energy consumption during the iPhone’s lifespan, such as daily charging and app usage, contributes to emissions.
• Transportation (2%) – Emissions result from shipping the final product via air and sea from manufacturing sites to distribution centers.
• End-of-Life (Less than 1%) – This includes emissions from transporting devices to recycling facilities and the energy used in processing materials.

Production remains the most significant contributor, highlighting the environmental impact of manufacturing and material sourcing.

According to the Product Environmental Report published by Apple in September 2021, an iPhone emits a total of 64kg CO2.

Material Breakdown of the iPhone 

The iPhone is made of various materials, each contributing to its environmental impact:

• 80% recycled steel in multiple components (including the Taptic Engine, speaker, multiple small parts, and the display support plate)
• 40.0% glass
• 24.7% battery, 100% recycled aluminum in the thermal substructure, 100% recycled cobalt in the battery, and Over 95% recycled lithium in the battery — a first for Apple
• 15.4% circuit boards, 100% recycled copper in multiple printed circuit boards, 100% recycled copper foil and wire in the inductive charger,, 100% recycled gold wire in all cameras and Camera Control, 100% recycled gold in the plating of multiple printed circuit boards, the USB‑C connector, and multiple small parts
• 7.2% display
• 5.0% other materials
• 3.1% plastic, 50% recycled plastic in 20 components

Apple attempted to improve sustainability by reducing the packaging size, leading to 18% lower emissions and 22% more efficiency than previous models. Additionally, the iPhone 4’s packaging was made from post-consumer recycled fiberboard and biobased materials.

iPhone Recycling and E-Waste Crisis

One of the biggest environmental challenges with smartphones is electronic waste (e-waste). The infographic highlights that less than 10% of old phones are recycled, with the vast majority ending up in landfills. The statistics from 2010 are alarming:

• 42.3 million iPhones were trashed
• Only 4.7 million were recycled
• 47 million iPhones were sold that year (iPhone 15 approx 38.4 million)

Globally, around 130 million phones end up in landfills yearly—over 2 million per week. This leads to 65,000 tons of toxic waste annually, equivalent to the volume of three small oil tankers.

Although Apple offers free and environmentally sensitive recycling programs, most consumers do not take advantage of them. This results in unnecessary waste and environmental pollution.

Additional Environmental and Health Concerns

The infographic also reveals some hidden dangers related to the iPhone’s production and materials.

Toxic Chemicals

• The original iPhone contained hazardous chemicals PVC and bromine, which can be harmful to both human health and the environment.
• Workers at Lianjian Technology in Taiwan were poisoned while assembling the iPhone’s touchscreen.

Radiation Exposure

The iPhone emits 1.19 W/kg of SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) radiation, which is just under the limit considered safe. While this is within regulated standards, radiation exposure has been linked to behavioral changes in animals, sparking concerns over potential health effects on humans.

Short Lifespan and Consumer Culture

One of the primary reasons for high e-waste levels is the short lifespan of smartphones. In 2023, approximately 29% of iPhone users held onto their devices for three or more years, compared to 21% of Android users. By 2024, this gap grew slightly, with one-third of iPhone users keeping their phones for at least three years.

Sustainability Efforts by Apple

Despite these challenges, Apple has made efforts to improve the sustainability of its devices:

• Reducing the size of iPhone packaging to lower emissions.
• Making iPhone packaging from recycled and biodegradable materials.
• Offering free recycling programs for old devices.
• Developing energy-efficient power adapters that exceed global standards.

However, there is still a long way to go. Increasing recycling rates, reducing toxic materials, and improving labor conditions should be key areas of focus for Apple to create a truly green iPhone.

Final Thoughts

The iPhone is an innovative and widely used device, but its environmental and social impact cannot be ignored. From high emissions and toxic waste to poor labor conditions and low recycling rates, the iPhone’s sustainability is far from ideal. While Apple has made some strides in eco-friendly packaging and energy efficiency, the company—and consumers—must do more to reduce electronic waste and carbon footprints. Choosing to recycle old phones, extend product lifespans, and support ethical labor practices are crucial steps toward making the iPhone a truly sustainable product.

Would you consider the iPhone “green“? Based on this data, the answer is not yet—but with increased efforts, it could become a more environmentally friendly device in the future. While the infographic below talks more about the iPhone 4 we can say the data is comparable to the latest iPhone in relation.