Apple Unveils 'Daisy' Recycling Robot Ahead of Earth Day

Apple on Thursday unveiled a robot called Daisy to take apart junked iPhone models and recover valuable materials that can be recycled. Ahead of Earth Day, the Cupertino, California giant revealed the latest addition to its robot-recycling team, which is similar to the Liam robot that it had launched in 2016. The company also announced that for every handset received at Apple stores and its website through the Apple GiveBack programme till April 30, it will make a donation to a non-profit organisation called Conservation International.

With Apple GiveBack programme and Daisy support, the company aims to move closer to a day when it will make its products using "only recycled or renewable materials." The disassembly robot, Apple says, "is the most efficient way to reclaim more of the valuable materials stored in iPhone." Daisy is said to have been developed by Apple's in-house Research and Development team and even leverages some of the same components that were initially created for its predecessor, Liam.

Apple says that Daisy is capable of disassembling nine versions of iPhone and sorting their key components for recycling.

Daisy is capable of disassembling nine versions of iPhone

Daisy can take apart up to 200 iPhone devices per hour, Apple says. It can remove and sort components that will help the company recover materials that "traditional recyclers can't."

Daisy uses some of the same components that were created for Liam

Along with Daisy, Apple has announced the GiveBack programme. As mentioned, for every device that customers turn in or trade till April 30, the company will make a donation to Conservation International. Notably, eligible devices will still qualify for an in-store or gift card credit.

On the occasion of Earth Day, Apple Watch users will receive a notification about an Earth Day Challenge, which is an activity encouraging them to get outside and complete a workout of at least 30 minutes. On completion of the tasks, the users will receive a special achievement and unique stickers in iMessage. Interestingly, from Friday, Apple stores around the world are featuring logos with green leaves or window decals in honour of Earth Day.

This news comes right after Apple announced that its entire operation, including stores, offices, data centres, and co-located sites across 43 countries, is entirely powered by green energy. Apple will also release its annual Environment Report, detailing the company's environmental progress in three priority areas such as carbon footprint, conservation of resources, and pioneering the use of safer materials.