Apple Says Taptic Engine in iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro is Made of 100% Recycled Rare Earth Elements

Wednesday September 18, 2019 6:44 AM PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple this week published environmental reports for the new iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max, revealing that the Taptic Engine in all three devices is made of 100 percent recycled rare earth elements.


The Taptic Engine, which powers haptic feedback, represents around 25 percent of the total rare earth elements used in each iPhone.

"This is one of those happy coincidences where what is good for the planet is really good for business at the same time," Apple's environmental chief Lisa Jackson told Reuters. "One of the things we talk about a lot internally, just in general, is how much more resilient this makes our supply chain."

Apple is able to recover and sort some rare earth elements using its recycling robot Daisy.

Tag: Taptic Engine
35 comments

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benshive
11 weeks ago

Im thinking the “rare element” Apple means, is cash.

The taptic engine is made out of cash? That's pretty cool. Seems like a bit of a waste though.
Rating: 5 Votes
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chucker23n1
11 weeks ago

I've always wondered if Apple is the only one who recycles and tries to minimize their carbon footprint or if they are just the only ones advertising it


For years, Greenpeace would complain that Apple didn't do enough for the environment. So Apple started doing these reports to say "actually, we're doing plenty".
Rating: 3 Votes
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gnasher729
11 weeks ago


For years, Greenpeace would complain that Apple didn't do enough for the environment. So Apple started doing these reports to say "actually, we're doing plenty".

Actually, that was Greenpeace not comparing what company _did_ for the environment, but what they said publicly. I remember them praising HP and condemning Apple because HP promised they would get rid of some led related stuff in the next years - while Apple had already done it without telling anyone.

Clearly they learn from this.


It’s such a lame sales pitch. I’ve always lost a bit of respect for companies that advertise, how green or eco friendly or diverse or *insert anything here* they are. If you really care about it- just do it. Why announce it publicly? Obviously to gain some sort of tangible result. Like- “ Wow, I always used Huawei phones, but now, that I know, that Apple is making some kind of small part from some kind of recycled metal- screw that earth destroying Chinese company” .


You say it's a "lame sales pitch". As I said, ten years ago Apple got hugely negative press from Greenpeace because they did things without telling anyone, while Greenpeace applauded companies for just _promising_ they would do the same thing.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Scottsoapbox
11 weeks ago
Too bad they can't use recycled force touch parts.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Mutepointer
11 weeks ago
Im thinking the “rare element” Apple means, is cash.
Rating: 2 Votes
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Kabeyun
11 weeks ago

Why not make this move sooner?

No idea, but you seem to suggest that the only possible answer is nefarious.
Rating: 1 Votes
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coolbeep
11 weeks ago
Ew! Used materials!!! This is an outrage. You better fix this Apple. Send people down into the core and get me the NEW rare earth materials! This is why Android is superior!

(Obviously sarcasm)
Rating: 1 Votes
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dan9700
11 weeks ago
Thought we was getting a better Taptic Engine this year, looks the same
Rating: 1 Votes
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Biu_miu
11 weeks ago
It’s such a lame sales pitch. I’ve always lost a bit of respect for companies that advertise, how green or eco friendly or diverse or *insert anything here* they are. If you really care about it- just do it. Why announce it publicly? Obviously to gain some sort of tangible result. Like- “ Wow, I always used Huawei phones, but now, that I know, that Apple is making some kind of small part from some kind of recycled metal- screw that earth destroying Chinese company” .
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
code-m
11 weeks ago

It’s such a lame sales pitch. I’ve always lost a bit of respect for companies that advertise, how green or eco friendly or diverse or *insert anything here* they are. If you really care about it- just do it. Why announce it publicly? Obviously to gain some sort of tangible result. Like- “ Wow, I always used Huawei phones, but now, that I know, that Apple is making some kind of small part from some kind of recycled metal- screw that earth destroying Chinese company” .


While I see it as a positive for any company to advertise its social and environmental responsibility, some of these companies other decisions are counter to what they proclaim, at the end of the day it is all marketing to give you that fuzzy feeling. Most countries have been making it the law and have provided companies a phase in period to recycle more or use more products with recycled components. How much of what Apple is announcing is just the law that they have to follow or be fined is hard to know.
Rating: 1 Votes
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