Sustainability in Education: Why iPad A16 Makes Sense for Irish Primary Schools

Apple has engineered the iPad A16 to deliver powerful learning tools while minimising its environmental impact. 

• Energy efficiency: Apple designs the iPad A16 to minimise power use; the device is engineered for lower emissions during use. While Apple does not publicly confirm a “65% less than ENERGY STAR” number in its environmental report for A16, it emphasises minimising emissions from product use. 
• Durability and longevity: Constructed with a 100% recycled aluminium enclosure and built for durability with unibody design and rigorous testing, the iPad A16 is intended to last. Over time, this durability combined with historical iPadOS support (often extending many years) can help schools reduce replacement cycles and lower e-waste. 
• Responsible manufacturing: Apple works with its suppliers to shift toward renewable electricity in manufacturing, and the iPad A16 is free from harmful substances like mercury, PVC, and brominated flame retardants. When a device reaches end-of-life, Select offers a Trade-In / recycling program to recover materials. Through our Class Act leasing solutions, we maintain strong take-back and refurbishment policies, where devices may be repurposed rather than discarded. 

Every iPad A16 is built with the same attention to environmental detail as it is to performance, ensuring technology and sustainability work hand in hand. 

Many Irish schools proudly display their Green Flag, earned through participation in An Taisce’s Green-Schools programme. Choosing technology that reflects those same values strengthens your school’s whole-school sustainability strategy. 

By integrating environmentally responsible devices into the classroom, teachers can also inspire students to think differently about how technology and sustainability connect — turning each iPad into a learning opportunity about responsible consumption and innovation. 

Sustainability isn’t only about reducing carbon emissions, it’s also about making smart, long-term financial choices. 

• Lower total cost over time: With fewer replacements, lower maintenance requirements, and continued software support, iPad A16 offers excellent value over its lifetime. 
• Leasing for sustainability: Leasing allows schools to upgrade devices on a planned cycle without generating e-waste. With our Class Act leasing solutions, returned devices are refurbished and reused responsibly, ensuring your technology strategy supports both financial and environmental goals. 

This approach gives schools predictable budgeting, regular refresh cycles, and confidence that old devices are being managed sustainably. 

Your school’s technology decisions can make a lasting difference, for your students, your budget, and the environment. The iPad A16 combines Apple’s best-in-class performance with genuine sustainability, helping schools across Ireland advance their Green Flag commitments while delivering exceptional learning experiences.