2. Who Is Apple? Mission Statement: Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software and Internet offerings.
3. Who Is Apple? Since its inception, Apple has evolved into a broad-based consumer electronics company. In the past several years, Apple has been at the forefront of innovation within consumer electronics, launching key products geared towards the high-end mobile market (the iPhone) and the home entertainment industry (Apple TV). On June 9, 2008, Apple announced the iPhone 3G, which featured increased speed, improved design, and lower pricing. The iPod has grown faster than any other music player in consumer electronics history, accounting for half of the company's revenue from the sales of hardware and content. Its rising brand equity has generated a "halo effect" contributing to increases in sales of Mac desktops and laptops and the opportunity to penetrate existing markets. Its popularity among consumers has turned the tech company into one of the highest revenue per square foot retailers in the world.
16. CSR CSR History “We want Apple to be at the forefront of green technology, and to clearly show other companies how to do it the right way.” – Greenpeace In October of 2003, Greenpeace contacted Apple concerning their chemicals policy. In November of 2004, Apple met with Greenpeace for the first time to discuss Apple’s chemicals policy. In September of 2006, Greenpeace launched the Green my Apple campaign. In December of 2006, Apple makes first official comment on the Green my Apple campaign. In May of 2007 Steve Jobs responds with an open letter about Apple’s environmental policy.
17. CSR History Annual Shareholder Meeting: At the February 25, 2010 Annual Shareholder Meeting, twopetitions were made asking Apple to introduce new environmental governance measures. Proposal No. 6 and Proposal No. 7 of the Annual Shareholder Meeting asked for Apple to release an annual sustainability report and to establish a committee on the board to address Apple’s corporate sustainability policies.
18. CSR History Apple Shareholder Response: Apple stated that it already takes adequate measures to report on its environmental performance, arguing that sustainability information provided on the Apple website “represents the most comprehensive accounting of any electronics company’s carbon footprint.” “The board believes that updates like these provide shareholders with a great deal of relevant information in a more timely manner than an annual report.”
19. Current Issues Primary Focus Areas: Removing hazardous chemicals from current and future product lines Increasing amount of electronics recycled Level of importance for releasing an annual sustainability report Transparency of Apple’s current CSR policies and programs
20. Proposal To raise awareness of Apple’s green initiatives, we propose that Apple promote a new campaign called iWorld that will encourage recycling nation-wide through a free computer take-back program and rebate offer. Through the potential monetary benefits, Apple seeks to educate customers on the importance of recycling, Apple’s current CSR initiatives, and Apple’s supplier relationships.
21. Goals Company Wide CSR Goals: Increase the amount of products recycled through Apple’s own take-back program Increase publicity through updated website, television, and in-store advertisement Expand Supplier Employee Education and Development (SEED) program in supplier facilities overseas Form a partnership withBest Buy to expand recycling program Convert Customers “Once you go Mac you can’t go back”
23. Transparency To increase public awareness of Apple’s current policies and programs, we advise that Apple make the following changes to increase the success rate of the iWorld campaign: An annual report should be published on the CSR section of Apple’s website. The annual report will be in addition to the current updates Apple currently provides customers and shareholders. An easy to find link to access Apple’s CSR pages should be moved to the homepage of Apple.com and Applestore.com to increase foot traffic. A new section of the Apple.com should be added solely for the purpose of the iWorld campaign. The iWorld campaign section will include updates on the campaign, how customers can get involved, and will be user interactive. The iWorld section of the Apple.com website will have an open discussion forum that readers/customers can respond to. The forum will include a question and answer section as well as a user CSR idea section.
24. Rebate Program To encourage participation by new and current Apple customers, we advise Apple implement a three year recycling rebate program as part of the iWorld campaign. The rebate program would include the following: FREE take-back recycling program for all computer brands Take-back program for mailing in electronics would have no processing fee For every laptop or desktop computer that is recycled, a rebate of 10% off any one apple product will be issued in a form of a rebate card that can be used within one year of the date issued. This rebate code can be used at any Apple store or on Apple.com.
25. SEED Program Expansion Purpose of SEED: To support the educational aspirations of manufacturing workers To provide access to English-language education, technical certifications on computer hardware and software, and associate-level degree programs in various topics To improve the lives of many people working in manufacturing operations
26. SEED Program Expansion Layout of pilot program in China: Launched in summer of 2008 Six classrooms (four in factory buildings and two in dormitories) Classrooms are furnished with 500 iMac computers Programs Offered: English-language Five computer software courses Seven associate degree programs
27. SEED Program Expansion Results from pilot program in China as of 2009: A total of 14,800 workers have participated in the programs 7120 took the English-language courses 7561 completed technical skills courses 119 students are currently working towards their associate degrees with a graduation date of 2010. Since hosting the pilot project, the plant has received the highest employee morale and lowest employee turnover statistics compared with other sites.
28. SEED Program Expansion Expansion Plan: Location: Taiwan Number of Classrooms: 6 Number of Computers: 500 Start Date: January 1, 2012 Programs Offered: English language, computer software, and associate degrees Training: Training will be done by current US Apple employees in a 2 week workshop.
29. SEED Program Expansion Funding: A replica of the SEED program in China will be placed in Taichung, Taiwan with the same cost structure. Additional funding that will go towards more computers, classrooms, and educational programming will be determined by the amount of rebates used in the iWorld campaign. Ex: If a customer buys a $2000 laptop and receives 10%, that 10%, equaling $200, will be the amount allocated on Apple’s behalf to the SEED expansion initiative.
30. Best BuyPartnership Current Best Buy Recycling Practices: Regardless of where you bought it, what brand it is, or how old it is Best Buy will take your e-waste and recycle it. Exchange select gently used electronics for a Best Buy gift card. Partnership: Form partnership with Best Buy by August 1, 2012 Goal with Best Buy is to provide consumers with increased access to e-waste recycling collection sites.
31. Timeline August 1, 2010 Begin iWorld rebate offer August 1, 2011 Release annual recycling and rebate results January 1, 2012 Start SEED expansion in Taiwan August 1, 2012 Release annual results August 1, 2012Best BuyPartnership August 1, 2013 iWorld rebate offer ends
32. Short-term June 1, 2010 – Begin construction of iWorld section of Apple.com July 1, 2010 – Begin media campaign for iWorld and recycling rebate July 15, 2010 – Install update onto Apple Store’s inventory computers for new rebate tracking program August 1, 2010 – Begin iWorld campaign and rebate program January 1, 2011 – Begin SEED expansion in Taiwan (infrastructure and promotion) August 1, 2011 – Release annual results September 1, 2011 – Begin communication with Best Buy
33. Long-term January 1, 2012 Begin SEED program in Taiwan August 1, 2012 – Form partnership with Best Buy September 1, 2013 – Release rebate program results for all 3 years January 1, 2014 – Expand SEED program to two more facilities
35. Financial Breakdown With the recycling rebate program, Apple overall, will be taking a 20% profit cut from its product revenue, due to customers getting a 10% price cut, and Apple matching that 10% for the SEED program expansion fund.
36. Financial Breakdown Current cost of recycling and transporting e-waste: $2.3 million (per year) Predicted average cost of recycling program for all 222 U.S. Apple Stores with iWorld campaign = $3.2 million (per year) Breakdown: Cost of recycling e-waste = $2,850,000 (for 19 million pounds) Cost of transporting e-waste = $340,992 (monthly store pickups) Additional expenses predicted after rebate program begins: $900,000 (per year)
37. Financial Breakdown SEED Employee Two Week Training Cost: Cost of airfare per employee roundtrip to Taichung, Taiwan: $1500 Hotel expenses per employee: $910 (double occupancy) Total Cost Per Employee = $1410
39. Sources greenpeace.org/apple 2010 Annual Meeting Of Shareholders Overview of Proposals http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2010/02/25/green-surprises-apples-shareholder-meeting 2008 Supplier Responsibility Progress Report http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/01/20/apples-board-opposes-calls-green-reforms 2009 Environmental Update http://www.csrwire.com/csrlive/commentary_detail/26-Dell-vs-Apple-vs-HP-vs-Who-s-Really-the-Greenest- http://www.apple.com/environment A Greener Apple – Letter from Steve Jobs 2010 Progress Report
