More than 85% of post-consumer rare earth magnets are scrapped instead of recycled, leading to substantial material and human costs. By 2035, only 5% of rare earths are likely to be recycled due to insufficient recycling facilities. In contrast, Apple has achieved a significant milestone, with nearly all magnets in its products derived from recycled rare earths. The company also invested in MP Materials, a firm focused on mining and recycling in the U.S. Moreover, 24% of materials used in Apple products were from recycled sources in 2024, showcasing their commitment to sustainability.
More than 85% of post-consumer rare earth magnets are scrapped, rather than recycled. That's a major loss, both in terms of cost of these materials and the human cost of obtaining them.
Just 5% of rare earths are likely to be recycled by 2035 because of the lack of recycling facilities.
Apple has raced to leadership and has already reached a point at which almost all the magnets used in its products come from recycled rare earths.
In 2024, 24% of the materials shipped in Apple products, by weight, came from recycled sources.
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