What does changing the iPhone 15 charger mean for the environment?

With the Introducing young people iPhone 15 the apple Cancel it Lightning port On her phones after 11 years and relies on the charging port USB C It is compatible with non-Apple products. That means one less cable on your desk, and one less thing to forget when packing for the weekend.

But this movement is accelerated by no one European Commission Law I voted last year, he is the one A largely symbolic measure, years after most other devices switched to USB-C. It will do little to reduce the mountains of electronic waste accumulating around the world.

“I would describe EU law and Apple’s compliance as an evolution, not a revolution,” says Marian Cherto, professor of industrial environmental management at the Yale School of the Environment.

When the European Commission voted in favor of the directive last year, it cited two reasons: First, everyone agrees. It’s very annoying to have a lot of cables around. Second, having a common charger for all devices — whether they’re made by Apple, Samsung, Garmin, or someone else — It would “significantly reduce electronic waste”.

At first, Apple resisted — logically, because selling Lightning cables made it a lot of money — and used the argument that its prospects… Wireless charging They will soon make the cable issue meaningless. However, he complied with the new rule.

Electronic waste problem

Pulling the Lightning cable may create one Electronic waste waveiPhone users will throw away useless Lightning cables or put them in a drawer to dispose of later – which is not recommended, as Apple has a well-organized system. Recycling programmewhile related recycling bins are also available in large electronics stores.

However, overall, the impact of Apple’s move to remove the Lightning port on the world’s mountains of e-waste is likely to be minimal. Almost there 66 million tons of electronic waste are produced every yearsays Rüdiger Kohr, Head of the Sustainable Courses Program at the United Nations University. the Charging cablesas he explains, correspond to “A few hundred thousand tons”.

“When we look at the pure numbers, they are close to nothing,” Kohr says. “But we think it’s a very important step in making the world aware of the issue we’re dealing with.”

Electronic waste is a growing problem It has not yet entered the public consciousness. Most of it ends up where it shouldn’t – in cupboards and drawers with miscellaneous waste – which means more materials have to be extracted e.g Copper, gold and platinum To produce new products.

“Nearly 80% of all e-waste generated worldwide is not properly treated,” Kohr asserts.

However, to Apple’s credit, the company is an “industry leader.”Waste and reuse of rare earths (Including very rare metals found in very few places on the planet) through its recycling program,” notes Cherto. Last year, Apple announced that it reuses more than two-thirds of the aluminum it needs.

With information from: Apple just killed the iPhone Lightning connector. What to do with your old chargers By Alison Morrow, CNN