Lens Technology commits to renewable energy

On 17/08/2016, Apple Inc. announced that its glass supplier Lens Technology committed to powering all Apple related production with 100 percent renewable energy by the end of 2018. Apple said the supplier would transition its operations using a power purchase agreement with local wind farms in Hunan Province, China. The agreement was described as covering the full scope of Lens Technology’s manufacturing for Apple products, making it the first supplier to commit to running its entire Apple production line on renewable electricity. Apple estimated that the transition would reduce carbon emissions by nearly 450,000 metric tons annually. The company compared this reduction to the electricity use of approximately 380,000 homes in China. Lens Technology manufactures glass components used in Apple devices, including display covers and other structural elements. Apple said the commitment formed part of its broader initiative to move its supply chain toward renewable energy sources. Alongside the supplier announcement, Apple reported progress in waste reduction across its final assembly operations in China. The company confirmed that all 14 of its final assembly sites in the country had achieved zero waste compliance. Apple stated that these facilities had diverted about 140,000 metric tons of waste from landfills since 2015 through recycling, reuse, and recovery programs. The updates were presented as part of Apple’s ongoing environmental and supplier sustainability efforts.