Apple senior director impressed with Vietnamese students

Clean water is one of the pillars to protect the environment and deal with climate change, emphasized in Apple's commitments in Vietnam.

Clean water is one of the essential resources most vulnerable to climate change. Photo: Apple .

Alisha Johnson Wilder, Apple's Senior Director of Environment, Policy & Social Initiatives, expressed her deep impression of the Vietnamese students when talking about the Gravity Water clean water project.

"Today, I just met the environmental leaders of the future," Ms. Wilder shared with Tri Thuc - Znews during her visit to Can Gio commune, Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of December 8.

Why Apple is looking for a partner to supply clean water in Vietnam

At the clean water supply project at Long Hoa Secondary School, Can Gio Commune, rainwater is collected and treated through 4 filtration steps, including rough filtration, carbon filtration, microfiltration and UV sterilization. The goal is to make the output water safe enough to drink directly from the tap.

The system is also equipped with a sensor that counts the amount of filtered water, an application that helps control and remind when to change the filter, contact the installation unit and instructional videos . When rainfall is low, such as during the drought season, the system can also filter tap water.

Ms. Alisha Johnson Wilder (in black, standing in the middle) and Ms. Tilden Mitchell (far right) talk with teachers and students of Long Hoa Secondary School. Photo: Anh Le .

Automation helps the school to be proactive in its operations, without having to depend on the supplier. Filter cores are also provided free of charge for the first 3 years. On the supplier side, the smart system helps control the amount of rainwater collected and filtered.

“The system utilizes natural rainwater to produce clean, drinkable water, helping the school save money. Students do not have to bring water from home to school, and are also aware of protecting the environment and saving water,” said Ms. Co Thi Ngoc Nu, acting principal of Long Hoa Secondary School.

This is an extension of the clean water supply project that Apple cooperates with Gravity Water in Vietnam, after launching in 2024. Ms. Wilder said that these are efforts to demonstrate Apple's commitment to the environment.

“This also demonstrates the power of technology to create transformative solutions for an area of ​​critical need,” said Ms. Wilder.

Rainwater collection and filtration system installed at school. Photo: Apple.

Unlike the old Hoa Binh mountainous area, the Mekong Delta region is affected by both floods and saltwater intrusion, greatly affecting the ability to provide clean water.

“Even when people boil water, there is still salt in it and it affects health in the long term,” said Tilden Mitchell, international director of Gravity Water.

Gravity Water representatives said that so far they have supported 330 schools, and aim to have 1,000 schools with clean water systems nationwide, concentrated in the Mekong Delta and the Mekong region.

Vietnam's role in combating climate change

Over the past few years, Vietnam has become an important manufacturing base for Apple and a fast-growing market. Apple has also shown its commitment to environmental and educational goals in the country.

In addition, Apple also emphasized the use of recycled materials as one of the important ways to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. Ms. Wilder said 24% of the materials in products in 2024 are recycled.

“Vietnam is an important market for us because we have a lot of partners here. We have a lot of customers here, and both suppliers and customers are involved in the goal,” said the senior Apple executive.

Students were also educated and shared about the benefits of saving water and protecting clean water sources. Photo: Apple .

Apple was also one of the first companies to encourage users to send their old, unused devices back to the company through the online Apple Store for recycling.

“That’s how we ensure the devices are recycled properly. Thanks to our global recycling and collection program, we help keep millions of tons of electronic waste out of landfills,” Wilder told Tri Thuc – Znews .

Apple recently announced donations to rebuilding efforts in several Asian countries severely affected by flooding, including Vietnam. Apple’s environmental representative said that while immediate support is needed, solutions like providing clean water can have a long-term impact in tackling climate change.

“We support solutions to think about how to deal with future storms,” concluded Ms. Wilder.

Source: https://znews.vn/giam-doc-cap-cao-apple-an-tuong-voi-hoc-sinh-viet-nam-post1609704.html