Earth Day takes place on April 22 and, as it has for years, Apple has its own tie-in promotions ready to help publicize the annual event dedicated to environmental protection.
From today through Earth Day, Apple will donate $1 to Conservation International — up to a maximum of $1 million — for every Apple Pay transaction via Apple’s website, the Apple Store app, or in physical Apple Stores.
Founded in 1987, Conservation International is an American nonprofit located in Arlington, Virginia. In the “About Us” section of its website, it notes that:
“For over thirty years, Conservation International has worked to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides to humanity. Combining fieldwork with innovations in science, policy and finance, we’ve helped protect more than 6 million square kilometers (2.3 million square miles) of land and sea across more than 70 countries. Today, with offices in more than two dozen countries and a worldwide network of thousands of partners, our reach is truly global.”
In an email announcing the Apple Pay promotion, Apple also highlights several sustainable businesses that accept Apple Pay. These include sustainable shoe and clothing company Allbirds; Pela, a company that makes iPhone cases from plants and microorganisms; recycled materials outdoor gear company The North Face; and renewable energy electric bike and scooter company Lime.
Apple and Earth Day
Earth Day commenced in 1970. To mark the April 22 event each year, Apple typically turns the Apple logo in its retail stores green for a show of solidarity. In recent years, Apple has stepped up its Earth Day activities. In 2019, for instance, it announced details about Daisy, a new robot that can break down 200 iPhones an hour to recycle precious materials. Daisy was a modified version of Liam, Apple’s previous recycling robot. Last year, Apple debuted a short film on Apple TV+, Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, featuring Meryl Streep. It also frequently promotes an Apple Watch Activity Challenge to coincide with Earth Day.
