The extremely flash and statement-making Apple drawstring plastic bags are about to be no more. Apple is preparing to make changes to its bags, phasing out the iconic plastic ones altogether in favor of a more environmentally-conscious paper bag.
At Apple’s iPhone SE announcement event on March 21, Apple discussed its green ambitions, specifically noting that 99 percent of Apple’s product packaging comes from recycled or sustainable sources. This latest move shows an ongoing effort on Apple’s part.
The paper bags which will replace Apple’s plastic counterparts will be made from 80 percent recycled materials. Furthermore, Apple will encourage retail store employees to ask customers whether they require a bag at all rather than making it a default provision.
Apple hasn’t yet unveiled a new design for the paper bags, and while it plans to introduce the bags from April 15, remaining stocks of plastic bags will be exhausted before moving on to the paper replacements.
The details were revealed in a note to Apple employees titled “Goodbye plastic. Hello paper” which was later shared by 9to5Mac. It reads:
“We’re committed to leaving the world better than we found it. One bag at a time. So on April 15, we’ll switch to paper shopping bags made from 80 percent recycled materials. These bags come in medium and large.
When customers are buying a product, ask if they need a bag. They may decide they don’t. And you’ll encourage them to be even more environmentally friendly.
If you still have plastic bags in stock, use them before you switch to the new paper bags. Learn more about all of our environmental projects at www.apple.com/environment”
Apple is well known for its desire to “leaving the world better than we found it”. This included the announcement of a new recycling robot named LIAM at the recent live event linked above, while elsewhere, Apple has also started exploring powering its stores with solar energy.