Apple appears set to launch a noteworthy in-store promotion just ahead of Earth Day, offering customers a chance to snag a discount on popular accessories by recycling old electronics. According to reports spearheaded by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this initiative is slated to begin this week and run for a full month, providing a rare opportunity for savings directly from Apple Stores. The promotion centers around Apple’s long-standing free electronics recycling program, adding a tangible incentive for bringing in items that wouldn’t typically qualify for trade-in credit.
The core of the offer involves customers receiving a 10% discount, capped at a maximum of $20, on select new Apple accessories when they recycle used electronics at an Apple Store. This discount reportedly applies to a range of desirable peripherals, including AirPods, AirTag trackers, the Apple Pencil, various Apple Watch bands, iPhone cases, and even Mac accessories like the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad. What makes this promotion particularly interesting is that it seems designed to reward the recycling of items that Apple usually accepts for free disposal but offers no monetary value for, potentially including electronics from other brands.
This move differs significantly from Apple’s standard trade-in program, which provides store credit or an Apple gift card primarily for relatively recent iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches that still hold resale value. The upcoming Earth Day promotion, however, could give value to that drawer full of old cables, chargers, or outdated gadgets from any manufacturer that you’d otherwise just be recycling for environmental reasons. It transforms the simple act of responsible disposal into a small but welcome saving on a future Apple purchase, specifically targeting the company’s often pricey accessories.
Considering Apple rarely offers direct discounts on its products outside of major events like Black Friday or its Back to School promotions, this limited-time recycling incentive stands out. It represents a unique window for consumers to potentially acquire items like an AirTag or a new Apple Watch band for slightly less cash simply by bringing in unwanted electronics. While official confirmation and the full details are still pending from Apple, including crucial information on whether this promotion will be limited to the US or available internationally, it signals a potentially clever strategy by Apple to encourage recycling while simultaneously boosting accessory sales and further integrating customers into its ecosystem.
Keep an eye out for an official announcement soon if you have old tech ready for recycling.
(via Mark Gurman)
