Apple Environmental Responsibility Report

Product Durability
A durable device is a greener device.
To ensure that they can stand up to
repeated use, the keys on MacBook
are pressed millions of times.
When products can be used longer, fewer resources need to be extracted
from the earth to make new ones. So we assess all of our products in our
Reliability Testing Lab, using rigorous testing methods that simulate our
customers’ real-world experiences with their devices. For example, we
analyze how devices stand up to extreme heat and cold, exposure to water
and everyday chemicals, and scratching tests from materials like steel wool
and denim. In addition to industry-standard measures, we also devise our
own tests and even build custom testing machinery. We design these tests
based on our studies of user behavior and by analyzing returned products
to fully understand any problems.
In the event that something does break, we have programs like AppleCare
and Apple-certified repair services to help our customers use their
devices longer. We also release regular free software updates that keep
our products current and extend their lives as long as possible. And we
design those software updates to be compatible with older generations
of products. macOS Sierra, for example, is compatible with Mac models
dating back to late 2009. And when customers decide to upgrade to new
devices, the old ones often have new lives with friends or family, or in the
refurbished market through programs like Apple Renew.
Environmental Responsibility Report | 2017 Progress Report, Covering FY2016
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