With the release of the Mac mini M4, Apple says it has reached an important milestone on the way to its environmental goal of complete carbon neutrality by 2030.
The new Mac mini is Apple's first carbon-neutral computer. It joins the carbon-neutral Apple Watch Series 10 smartwatch.
According to Apple, the Mac mini is 50% recycled, including 100% recycled aluminum in the body, 100% recycled gold in the circuit boards, and 100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets.
Apple claims that the electricity used to produce the Mac mini comes from 100% renewable sources.
Mac mini M4 box 📦 pic.twitter.com/gO1YvkYJLJ
Mac mini M4 box 📦 pic.twitter.com/gO1YvkYJLJ
— Beta Profiles (@BetaProfiles) October 29, 2024The packaging for the Mac mini is made of special fibers. Apple says this brings it closer to its goal of eliminating plastic in packaging by 2025.
Apple has also updated its delivery methods. Now, 50% of Mac mini computers are delivered from the factory to the next destination not by air, but by sea, for example, across the ocean.
According to Apple, these changes have reduced the Mac's carbon footprint by more than 80%, and to offset the remaining emissions, Apple "applies high-quality carbon credits derived from natural products," such as those from the Restore Fund. The Restore Fund uses funds from Apple and other companies to invest in carbon sequestration projects, such as reforestation.