The environmental problem of AirPods that no one is talking about

Apple AirPods are some of the best wireless earbuds for audiophiles, bolstered by a comfortable fit and accessible design. However, since their introduction in 2017 and up to their current release, AirPods have faced a persistent environmental problem. While Apple likes to tout its eco-friendly practices in creating AirPods, for good reason, the device’s limited lifespan of less than two years, compounded by Apple’s reluctance toward user repairs, makes them problematic from an environmental standpoint.

Production of the AirPods is relatively environmentally friendly, thanks to a company-wide focus on reducing its carbon footprint and the high percentage of recycled content found in the AirPods Pro 3. But once the battery stops holding a charge after about 18 months of use, there is virtually nothing the user can do to extend the lifespan, as the AirPods cannot be opened without completely destroying them. This essentially forces owners to get rid of their AirPods and buy another one, negating much of the environmental benefits that Apple’s production procedures can provide.

Let’s be clear, the production of AirPods is not absolutely negative for the environment. As part of Apple’s ambitious plan to become carbon neutral by 2030, a portion of all its devices are made from recycled materials. In the case of the current AirPods model, the Pro 3, the earbuds use 40% recycled content, the MagSafe charging case is made from 65% recycled plastic, and the batteries come from 100% recycled cobalt and 95% recycled lithium.

Apple also encourages users to recycle AirPods that have reached the end of their lifespan through its Trade In program. You can send broken or non-working AirPods to Apple and receive credit toward new devices, while the company manages the recycling process. In a vacuum, this seems like a net positive for the environment, and while these procedures help alleviate the AirPods’ environmental problem, Apple’s approach still has some weaknesses.

Several issues compound the environmental impact of each pair of AirPods made by Apple. First and foremost, AirPods have a set shelf life, much like when your smartphone becomes too old to use. Every part of the device, from the batteries to the speakers, is on borrowed time as soon as it leaves the production line. The precise lifespan of a pair of AirPods varies depending on the model and how you use them, but generally speaking, things will start to fail after about two to three years of ownership.

AirPods are made in part from recycled materials, but as Apple continues to make new units to replace broken ones every few years, these environmental benefits may start to shrivel. One solution to this problem would be to allow users to extend the life of their AirPods through repairs and replacement of parts, including batteries. Unfortunately, at least with the AirPods Pro 3, there’s no way to open the earbuds or charging case without damaging them.

Even if you could open the devices, Apple doesn’t sell replacement parts for their proprietary parts, so end users have no way to repair them. This means that when your AirPods break, disposing of them is the only option. Sending old AirPods to Apple for recycling is helpful, but due to their proprietary design, only Apple can do this, while many third-party recycling plants can’t help.