Apple's recycling partners asked to scrap working devices

Are you throwing away good gadgets? Apple is apparently destroying working iPhones, iPads, Watches.

Last week, a report on Bloomberg called out Apple for paying external recycling partners to destroy fully functional devices.

How it came to light

It turns out that one of the partners was sued in 2020 for breach of contract, accused of siphoning devices meant to be scrapped for resale in China.

These devices were taken in by Apple for trade or recycling; many were in working condition.

Nothing has come from the lawsuit, which will lapse in 2025. The report implied that Apple is not keen for people to learn of it destroying functional devices in the 100,000s.

Designing gadgets that last

Recycling and refurnishing of devices is a complex issue that many organisations are only just starting to look into, so I am not inclined to be too harsh on Apple.

Here are my biggest grouses:

• Hardware that is impossible to repair.
• Gadgets that become unusable over time*.
• New product releases that are barely better.

* Think rubberised coating that 'melts' and becomes sticky over time.

Thankfully, I know of brands that have moved to create repairable devices designed to last, while others only release new products with noteworthy improvements.

Let's do this now

But getting businesses to make devices that last and are easily repaired won't happen overnight.

Here are some things I wish organisations would stop doing these immediately though:

• Give out souvenirs that won't be used.
• Door gifts such as battery packs.
• Yet another thumb drive.

👉 What about you? What are your top grouses with e-waste, and do you resell gadgets that you have stopped using?