Mini-Essay report: Apple’s Sustainability Plan (How I feel about my Apple Watch)
Apple is a company used by billions of people. According to their action plan called “Apple 2030,” they are considerate of their carbon footprint. Apple, by implementing Sustainability to their business model and diverting from the “greenwashing” bait that some companies channel, allows their products to be satisfactory to the customers and the planet. However, what Apple cannot control are their customers’ choices. Their autonomy is restricted by this fact. On their part, they can and will follow their plan, but they will not have enough evidence to say, “All our products have no effect on the environment”. Even in 2030 and beyond, I hypothesize that people may replace their products every other year because of the inevitable "broken" circumstance or the dopamine-obsession to buy, and the choices that customers make may end up contradicting the original purpose of reducing waste.
I bought my apple watch in the summer of last year in hopes of using it for tracking pace and recording data during Cross Country practices as well as for listening to wireless music on the go. At the time, I felt it was an investment. I would tell myself, “If I were to get this watch, not only would I be able to track my health data, I would also be doing the planet a favor”. In hindsight, I realize that by not getting a watch, I am doing the planet an even greater favor as I was not in dire need to get the watch. Sometimes, less is more. Overtime, I have learnt to think twice about buying things, whether need overrules want. If I only want to have something, chances are: I don’t need it.
In addition, Apple products and packaging comprise of minimized usage of materials. In the meantime, Apple will not sacrifice their iconic minimalistic look for no packaging at all. But, could they pare down the quantity of materials or specific materials in their products while not compensating for quality? Has the manufacturing of products created a never-ending vicious cycle of waste?
I hope not. Yet, I wonder if there is an even more sustainable way to own tangible products.