The Watch Series 9 is Apple’s first carbon-neutral product

While the Apple iPhone 15 line up stole the show at last night’s Wonderlust event, the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 have also received considerable attention. These watches have done so not just because of their new features, specs, and bands, but also because they happen to be Apple’s first carbon-neutral product. If you’re wondering how, read on.

There are four major methods the Cupertino-based company employed to achieve a net zero carbon emission with the Apple Watch Series 9.

Clean electricity

Apple first calculated approximately how much electricity would be required to charge an Apple Watch Series 9 throughout its lifecycle. Then, it invested in a number of renewable energy projects which would cumulatively help offset that amount.

It also bought renewable power on behalf of its customers. All offices and manufacturing facilities that Apple has, it says, also run on clean electricity, generated through renewable solar and wind energy, as well as nuclear energy and hydroelectric power.

Recycled materials

The Watch Series 9 case is made of recycled aluminium, with tin, gold, copper, and tungsten used for the connections inside. The battery is also made of 100 per cent recycled cobalt, all of which combine to significantly reduce emissions in the overall manufacturing process.

Secondly, Apple has also phased out leather straps, replacing it with a new material it developed, called FineWoven. FineWoven is made of 68 per cent post-consumer recycled content. In addition to this, it also redesigned its sport loop, which now features 82 per cent recycled yarn, a lot of it from discarded fishing nets.

Packaging

Another way Apple was able to make the Watch Series 9 carbon neutral, was by investing in packaging which was 100 per cent fibre-based, eliminating plastic entirely.

Transport

Transport is one of the biggest factors when it comes to carbon emissions. To reduce the same, Apple has begun to shift away from air transport more and move towards water-based transport, which has considerably less emissions. Also, the fibre-based packaging for the Watch Series 9 means that Apple can ship up to 25 per cent more watches per trip, further helping reduce carbon emissions.

ALSO READ: Apple Watch Series 9, Watch Ultra 2 launched with one-hand gestures, on-device Siri

Together, the aforementioned ways have reduced the total carbon footprint of the Apple Watch Series 9 by 78 per cent. The rest, the company says, will be offset in the form of carbon credits from forest plantation projects and wetlands Apple has invested in.

iPhone 15 and carbon emissions

While the iPhone 15 series isn’t entirely carbon neutral, Apple has significantly reduced its carbon footprint by using recycled cobalt in its batteries. Secondly, it has also phased out all leather cases for the iPhone, replacing them with FineWoven. Also, the packaging for the iPhone 15 is also over 99 per cent fibre-based.

The Apple Watch Series 9’s prices start from Rs 41,000 and will be on sale starting September 22.