Google has said that all its devices will include recycled materials by 2022. The company said it already uses post-consumer recycled plastic in some of its Nest products, but it will commit to using more types of materials going forward.
Google also said that by next year, all shipments of its products going to or from customers will be carbon neutral. That means there would be no net release of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, usually by doing something to offset carbon dioxide emissions, like planting trees.
To reach carbon neutrality, Google will work with shipping partners to reduce emissions, a spokeswoman said. For example, that means doing more shipments by ocean instead of by air, the company said. For the emissions that remain, Google will invest in “high-quality carbon offset” projects, including landfill gas projects and animal waste management systems.
Google’s announcement comes as tech giants try to address the environmental toll of their electronics. Companies like Google and Apple release new versions of their hardware devices every year, leaving consumers with decisions over what to do with their old devices.