---
title: "Apple’s New iPhone Packaging: A Sustainable Shift?"
id: "7289"
type: "post"
slug: "apples-new-iphone-packaging-a-sustainable-shift"
published_at: "2024-11-08T13:53:24+00:00"
modified_at: "2024-11-08T13:53:39+00:00"
url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/11/apples-new-iphone-packaging-a-sustainable-shift-007289/"
markdown_url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/11/apples-new-iphone-packaging-a-sustainable-shift-007289.md"
excerpt: "Apple is replacing plastic with wood fiber in iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max packaging as part of its environmental commitment."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Business"
  - "Circular Economy"
  - "Design"
  - "Electrical & Electronics"
  - "Industry"
  - "Materials"
  - "Packaging"
  - "Recycling"
  - "Results"
  - "Strategy"
  - "Sustainability"
  - "Trending"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "Eco-friendly packaging"
  - "iPhone 16 Pro"
  - "iPhone 16 Pro Max"
  - "iPhone's Packaging"
  - "plastic replacement"
  - "Sustainable Packaging"
  - "Wood Fiber"
---

[Home](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/)
 » [News](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/news/)
 » [Industry](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/industry/)
 » [Packaging](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/industry/packaging/)
 » Apple’s New iPhone Packaging: A Sustainable Shift?

# Apple’s New iPhone Packaging: A Sustainable Shift?

 The packaging for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max is entirely made of wood fiber. Courtesy of Apple Product Environmental Report.### **Apple is replacing plastic with wood fiber in iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max packaging as part of its environmental commitment.**

As one of the world’s most valuable companies, Apple has committed to eliminating plastic from its packaging by 2025. However, at its recent Wonderlust event in September, Apple announced it would achieve this goal ahead of schedule. The packaging for the new iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max reflects this commitment. It is 100% fiber-based, with minimal plastic in the inks, coatings, and adhesives. Additionally, Apple redesigned the phone boxes to reduce their volume. This change minimizes material usage and allows more phones to be transported per trip, contributing to a lower carbon footprint. These shifts support Apple’s ongoing efforts to minimize its environmental impact.

**You can also read:**[The Polymers Behind Apple’s Vision Pro](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/03/the-polymers-behind-apples-vision-pro-004130/)

## **Wood Fiber Replaces Plastic on the New iPhone’s Packaging**

Apple chose to use wood fiber that is either recycled or sourced from responsibly managed forests. By managing these forests directly, Apple ensures a reliable supply of virgin wood fiber when recycled material falls short. This approach not only fulfills Apple’s fiber needs but also promotes oxygen production through reforestation. This process helps offset the company’s environmental impact. With every new tree planted, Apple actively supports carbon reduction and biodiversity.

## **Redesigning Packaging for Greater Efficiency**

Apple also redesigned the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max packaging to maximize compactness and efficiency. Engineers reduced the box volume by 6%, allowing more boxes to fit on each pallet. This adjustment enables Apple to ship more phones in fewer trips. It helps achieve an estimated 3% reduction in transportation-related carbon emissions.

**You can also read:**[How to Measure Headspace in Packaging](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/05/how-to-measure-headspace-in-packaging-004608/)

## **Setting New Standards for Packaging**

Through these packaging changes, Apple significantly lowers GHG emissions associated with the new iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. These advances in eco-friendly packaging reflect Apple’s commitment to pioneering sustainable packaging design and setting new industry standards for environmental responsibility.

By **[Laura Gonzalez](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/lauragonz/)** | November 8, 2024

##### [Laura Gonzalez](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/lauragonz/)

[+ postsBio ⮌](#)

### Other posts you could read

[May 7, 2026PCR Plastics Are Redefining Aesthetic Standards](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/05/pcr-plastics-are-redefining-aesthetic-standards-011186/)

[May 8, 2026Redefining “Premium” Appearance in Sustainable Plastics](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/05/redefining-premium-appearance-in-sustainable-plastics-011191/)

[May 4, 2026Why Your Feeder Choice Is Quietly Undermining Consistency](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/05/why-your-feeder-choice-is-quietly-undermining-consistency-011175/)

[May 1, 2026High-Viscosity Photopolymers Transform Additive Manufacturing](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/05/high-viscosity-photopolymers-transform-additive-manufacturing-011153/)

[April 15, 2026ANTEC 2026: Rheology Understanding Leads to Competitiveness](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/antec-2026-rheology-understanding-leads-to-competitiveness-010797/)

[April 30, 2026Upcycling Polyolefins into Jet Fuel Components](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/upcycling-polyolefins-into-jet-fuel-components-011138/)

[April 28, 2026IKV Colloquium 2026: The Journey of Research and Industry](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/ikv-colloquium-2026-the-journey-of-research-and-industry-010989/)

[April 27, 2026Nanocomposite Films from Car Bumper Waste](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/nanocomposite-films-from-car-bumper-waste-011041/)

### The 5 comments

Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.

1. [91 CLUB APP](https://91club.co.com/) says: [August 21, 2025 at 7:33 am](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/11/apples-new-iphone-packaging-a-sustainable-shift-007289/#comment-4745) It’s great to see Apple taking steps towards sustainability with their new packaging! Reducing plastic use is a huge milestone, and I hope to see more companies follow suit. This shift not only benefits the environment but also sets a positive example for the industry. Looking forward to seeing how this evolves! [Reply](#comment-4745)
2. [REJEKIBET](https://rejekibet.lol) says: [August 23, 2025 at 11:53 am](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/11/apples-new-iphone-packaging-a-sustainable-shift-007289/#comment-4789) It’s great to see Apple taking steps towards more sustainable packaging! Reducing plastic waste and incorporating recyclable materials is a necessary shift for the industry. I’m curious to see how this will influence other tech companies to follow suit. Hope this trend continues! [Reply](#comment-4789)
3. [51 club](https://51-clublogin.in) says: [September 8, 2025 at 10:15 am](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/11/apples-new-iphone-packaging-a-sustainable-shift-007289/#comment-4919) This is a fantastic shift towards sustainability! It’s great to see Apple taking responsibility for its environmental impact. I’m curious to know more about how these changes will affect the overall user experience and whether they’ll inspire other tech companies to follow suit. Keep up the good work! [Reply](#comment-4919)
4. [big mumbai](https://bigmumbaigames.pro/) says: [September 17, 2025 at 6:20 pm](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/11/apples-new-iphone-packaging-a-sustainable-shift-007289/#comment-5144) Great article! It’s encouraging to see Apple taking steps toward more sustainable packaging. I’m curious to see how these changes will influence other tech companies to adopt similar practices. Sustainability in packaging is definitely a move in the right direction! [Reply](#comment-5144)
5. [Amar Club Login](https://amarkhela.com) says: [September 20, 2025 at 3:02 pm](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2024/11/apples-new-iphone-packaging-a-sustainable-shift-007289/#comment-5173) I appreciate Apple’s effort in moving towards more sustainable packaging solutions. It’s impressive to see such a major company take steps to reduce plastic waste. I hope this shift not only improves their environmental impact but also inspires other tech companies to follow suit. Looking forward to seeing how this initiative evolves! [Reply](#comment-5173)

## Leave A Comment [Cancel reply](/2024/11/apples-new-iphone-packaging-a-sustainable-shift-007289/#respond)

- [https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=7289&text=Apple%E2%80%99s+New+iPhone+Packaging%3A+A+Sustainable+Shift%3F&via=Plastics_Mag](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=7289&text=Apple%E2%80%99s+New+iPhone+Packaging%3A+A+Sustainable+Shift%3F&via=Plastics_Mag)
- [https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=7289&t=Apple%E2%80%99s+New+iPhone+Packaging%3A+A+Sustainable+Shift%3F](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=7289&t=Apple%E2%80%99s+New+iPhone+Packaging%3A+A+Sustainable+Shift%3F)
- [https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=7289&title=Apple%E2%80%99s%20New%20iPhone%20Packaging:%20A%20Sustainable%20Shift?&summary=Apple+is+replacing+plastic+with+wood+fiber+in+iPhone+16+Pro+and+iPhone+16+Pro+Max+packaging+as+part+of+its+environmental+commitment.&source=Plastics+Engineering](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=7289&title=Apple%E2%80%99s%20New%20iPhone%20Packaging:%20A%20Sustainable%20Shift?&summary=Apple+is+replacing+plastic+with+wood+fiber+in+iPhone+16+Pro+and+iPhone+16+Pro+Max+packaging+as+part+of+its+environmental+commitment.&source=Plastics+Engineering)
- [https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=7289&title=Apple%E2%80%99s+New+iPhone+Packaging%3A+A+Sustainable+Shift%3F](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=7289&title=Apple%E2%80%99s+New+iPhone+Packaging%3A+A+Sustainable+Shift%3F)
- [/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d9e6aaacbbb3bcbaade489b5b8aaadb0baaaf99cb7beb0b7bcbcabb0b7bef9f4f998a9a9b5bc3b5940aaf997bcaef9b089b1b6b7bcf989b8bab2b8beb0b7bee3f998f98aacaaadb8b0b7b8bbb5bcf98ab1b0bfade6ffbbb6bda0e4b1adada9aae3f6f6aeaeaef7a9b5b8aaadb0baaabcb7beb0b7bcbcabb0b7bef7b6abbef6e6a9e4eeebe1e0](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d9e6aaacbbb3bcbaade489b5b8aaadb0baaaf99cb7beb0b7bcbcabb0b7bef9f4f998a9a9b5bc3b5940aaf997bcaef9b089b1b6b7bcf989b8bab2b8beb0b7bee3f998f98aacaaadb8b0b7b8bbb5bcf98ab1b0bfade6ffbbb6bda0e4b1adada9aae3f6f6aeaeaef7a9b5b8aaadb0baaabcb7beb0b7bcbcabb0b7bef7b6abbef6e6a9e4eeebe1e0)
- [5](#comments)