We’re in the business of saving iPhones. We’re like a hospital for them. We can’t save them all, though. Some are so damaged that it would cost more to replace all of the parts than to buy a brand new device.
If you’ve ever decided to let go of your device, you probably have wondered what happened to it. Bloomberg Business took the time to find out and write an in-depth article about it.
Apparently, there’s a factory in Hong Kong that only has one job – dispose iPhones. There are only a few of them in the world, and they are all secret. As we see, Apple wants the entire makeup and destruction of their iPhones completely private. What’s even more peculiar is that the workers at the factory even have to weigh the shreds, which need to meet specific standards.
Unfortunately, the exact process of disposing Apple devices is unknown. Bloomberg Business contacted some of the workers and Apple, and no one would provide information. They definitely weren’t able to tour the facility.
What we do know is that whenever an Apple device is turned in, it goes through a process of determining whether it should be destroyed or resold. If the iPhone can be reconstructed and functional, it will be sent to a second market. If not, it’s sent to one of these factories. Everything is accounted for every step of the way.
The only thing that Apple can’t identify is how many Apples are out in the world right now. Some people have sold their devices to other people, some have thrown them in a drawer, and others have just thrown them in the trash. As much as Apple wants to keep track of all devices, they simply can’t do that since they are owned by those who buy them.
So, what happens to the scraps?
Since iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks are shredded, you’re probably wondering what happens to the shreds. Well, they are recycled to make glass tiles, aluminum window frames and furniture. Any hazardous waste ends up in a licensed facility.
There you have it – now you know what happens to your device when you turn it in for a new one.