Tomorrow - ein McKinsey Podcast Auf dem Weg zur Kreislaufwirtschaft: Apples Weg in der Ressourcennutzung
Nov 20, 2025
Peter Spiller, a McKinsey partner specializing in sustainability, shares insights on Apple's ambitious goal of using 100% recycled and renewable materials. He discusses the significant CO2 reductions achievable through recycled aluminum and the challenges of downcycling. Spiller emphasizes the importance of partnerships across the supply chain for effective recycling and innovative technologies like laser-spectroscopy. He highlights the political complexities of rare earth recycling and Apple's robotic efforts to enhance recycling capabilities, urging broader alliances to scale circular economies.
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Apple's Clear North Star
- Apple set a North Star to make all products from 100% recycled and renewable materials.
- This goal reduces emissions, pollution, mining needs, and energy consumption.
Mapping Upstream Material Footprints
- McKinsey used deep upstream industry insights and tools like Mindspans to map mining, processing, costs and footprints.
- These analytics reveal circular-material pools and where to source and scale recycled inputs.
Aluminium's Downcycling Problem
- Recycled aluminium can save up to 95% of CO2 versus primary production, but much aluminium is downcycled into low-value uses.
- Peter Spiller describes how mixed scrap flows and lack of sorting prevent closed loops for high-value aluminium parts.