Blink and you may have missed it. But in a newly published case study, big consultancy firm McKinsey takes a deep look at Apple’s efforts to build a circular manufacturing ecosystem. It also shows the company calling out to others across adjacent industries to lend a hand in building a vibrant ecosystem that can support such initiatives.
The study seems to be part of an extensive collaboration between the two firms: Apple called in consultants from McKinsey to work together at a top level to gain insights into what the company is doing to reduce emissions, make sure those rare earth elements don’t go to waste, and figure out how to build a sustainable market for this approach to manufacturing. The last bit is super important, as it shows Apple recognizes the need to work with others to create a vibrant market for recycling technologies and materials.
What the report sets out to do
To be clear, the case study doesn’t go too far behind the curtain of what the secretive computer company does. It does, however, represent Apple’s interest in identifying new opportunities for use of circular materials in its business, and its attempt to better identify hitherto untapped reserves of recyclable materials.
This story originally appeared on Computerworld
