making it difficult for its smartphones to be
repaired without visiting an Apple Store. The
company even sues companies that repair
devices. Thanks to proprietary screws, unibody
enclosures, and other manufacturing and
design techniques, it’s virtually impossible for
some products to be repaired or replaced, with
batteries often glued to some other component
or adding complex and sensitive parts that
make repairs tough. AirPods are the greatest
example of this, with iFixIt giving the product
a zero rating for repairability. Indeed, if your
AirPods or AirPods Pro break, you can either take
them back to Apple if they’re in warranty, or
you’re forced to buy a new pair. Even attempting
to open the AirPods will result in you ripping
apart the hardware. The company has, of
course, said that it works hard to improve the
sustainability of its products, but argues that
its highly-integrated design on products like
its MacBook Air and AirPods allows the firm to
create “products that are not only beautiful, thin
and powerful, but also durable, so they can last
for many years.” Apple adds that “authorized
providers can ensure the quality, safety, and
security of repairs for customers” in most cases,
and that it takes its responsibility for recycling
products seriously.
APPLE’S COMMITMENT TO E-WASTE
Like most tech giants, Apple isn’t perfect, but
it has made great strides in order to create a
more sustainable product portfolio. Last year,
it made a big commitment: removing EarPods
and the charging brick from packaging to
reduce the amount of e-waste it produces.
During a keynote to unveil its new iPhone 12