Almost certainly coinciding with Earth Day, Apple unveiled its newest recycling robot named Daisy. Apple previously released a recycling robot in 2016 named Liam.
Parts to build Daisy can take apart nine different versions of the iPhone.
Dismantling iPhones
Daisy is pretty much Liam's direct successor down to using part of the robot itself. It was developed by Apple engineers. Daisy resides in Apple's Austin, Texas factory. This will make it easier to reuse and recycle parts of the iPhone.
Along with taking the iPhones apart, it also sorts the reusable components in the process. In an hour, Daisy is able to disassemble 200 iPhones. Other methods that have been used to recycle iPhones in the past haven't been very effective and would destroy valuable components in the process.
Daisy is faster than its predecessor Liam. It is able to operate more quickly and take apart a much large number of iPhones than Liam. When it was launched, Liam could take about 1.2 million iPhones a year, it was built for the iPhone 6 series. If Daisy was allowed to run continuously for 24 hours, taking apart 200 iPhones an hour, it would be able to take 1.7 million iPhones apart in one year.
Apple plans to build more version of Daisy in other locations across the country. It has already announced that the company will eventually install a second Daisy robot in Europe. Daisy is just one of the announcements that Apple made on April 19. Apple also mentioned its GiveBack program for recycling old iPhones.
GiveBack Program
Apple combined two separate programs called Trade-Up and Recycling into the GiveBack program. It is designed to make it easier to be able to trade in old iPhones. In return, people will receive an Apple Store gift card or get credit towards the purchase of a new device.
Through April 30, Apple will be making a donation to Conservation International every time that someone gives an iPhone back through GiveBack. Conservation International is a nonprofit that works on methods to protect the environment. People who trade-in their device will still receive the gift card or credit.
More Apple Announcements
Apple wasn't done making announcements for Earth Day. Apple Stores around the world will feature green leaves on their logos or window displays for Earth Day.
On April 21, Apple Watch users will get notifications about Apple's Earth Day Challenge. It will encourage users to get outdoors and exercise for at least 30 minutes. Users who complete this challenge will be rewarded with unique stickers in the Messages app.
