The news came with the iPhone 15 launch event and the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 9.
Replacing leather, the company will be using a microtwill material called FineWoven, made of 68% post-consumer recycled content, which it says has a “suedelike” feel. This material will be used for phone cases and watch straps alongside other applications.
The move comes as Apple makes other significant changes to its products and packaging, including removing all mercury, PVC and beryllium from the iPhone 15, increasing the amount of recycled metals and reaching 99% fibre-based packaging.
With select case and band combinations, the Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Apple Watch SE are also the company’s first certified carbon neutral products.
