The second day of Apple's new Mac announcements brought a refreshed and radically smaller M4 Mac mini. But the redesign isn't just about aesthetics. The new Mac mini is now also Apple's first carbon-neutral Mac.
Mac mini joins Apple Watch as second major carbon-neutral product
According to Apple's press release:
Mac mini is made from more than 50 percent recycled materials overall, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure, 100 percent recycled gold plating in all Apple-designed circuit boards, and 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets. The electricity used to make Mac mini comes from 100 percent renewable electricity. And to achieve 100 percent of the electricity customers use to power Mac mini, Apple has invested in clean energy projects around the world. Apple has also prioritized low-carbon shipping methods, like ocean freight, to further reduce transportation emissions. Taken together, these actions have reduced the Mac mini’s carbon footprint by more than 80 percent.2 For the small amount of emissions that remain, Apple applies high-quality carbon credits from nature-based projects, like those generated by its innovative Recovery Fund.
Apple also highlights that the Mac mini’s packaging is “all fiber-based,” which helps Apple reach its goal of eliminating plastic from all of its product packaging by 2025.
Previously, Apple’s only completely carbon neutral product was the Apple Watch. The first carbon-neutral Watch launched last year with the Series 9 and expanded to more options with this year’s Series 10 lineup.
Not everyone agrees with Apple’s definitions of carbon neutrality, with the EU banning Apple from advertising its new Watch as carbon neutral last year. This is due to Apple's reliance on carbon credits to cover some of its emissions, just as the company does with the Mac mini.
Still, progress toward Apple's 2030 goals can be clearly seen with today's product launch.
