Nov 7, 2025

At Philip Morris, we are focused on reducing the environmental impact of IQOS and lil devices, as well as the tobacco sticks used with them, through recycling and energy recovery. Through our Circular Program, we offer adult users a simple way to return used IQOS and lil devices, as well as tobacco sticks, helping us collectively reduce environmental impact.
But this is just one part of our broader strategy. Through a range of initiatives – from eco product design standards, packaging waste minimization to support for responsible care and disposal– we actively contribute to the development of a circular economy We are working to reduce the waste generated by our products, to make them last longer, to maximize recycling and upcycling, and to turn the waste we collect into something new. 
Read on to learn more about our efforts to reduce environmental impact and our other circularity efforts.
 

Eco-design for less environmental impact

Reducing our environmental impact begins at the design phase. This is why our work is guided by eco-design principles to deliver products that aim to minimize environmental impact. 
We aim to drive continuous improvement in future product generations. To this end, we have explored eco-design standards and identified the criteria applicable to IQOS devices to further embed eco-design principles through an end-to-end approach to minimize impacts related to materials selection and sourcing, components production, product manufacturing, use, and product end-of-life stages. 
Notably, we began using recycled plastic and recycled metal.
We have always been at the forefront of innovation, and today we are taking the steps to achieve eco-design certification for all our smoke-free electronic devices introduced on the market as of the end of 2025. We understand that such certification can drive product performance by raising environmental and social standards and educating consumers so they can make more informed choices.
 

Packaging waste minimization

Less packaging. Less waste.
As our product portfolio changes, so does our packaging, which continues to evolve in line with our expansion into new product categories, adaptations to better meet consumer expectations, and shifts in regulation. Thus, we focus on improving the recyclability of our packaging and reducing the volumes of cardboard and plastics used across our packaging for consumables and devices.
We are working to reduce unnecessary packaging from our IQOS devices and consumables without compromising protection, quality and performance. Overall, between 2018 and 2024, we reduced our average packaging material and are on track to meet our 15% reduction target by the end of 2025. 
During 2024, we developed a new packaging design using less board for our IQOS devices and no more plastic. We intend to roll out this new solution in all our markets over the course of 2025 and 2026.
 

Supporting responsible care and disposal

With every technology generation we aim to improve the quality, reliability and longevity of our devices while supporting our users to maximize the life cycle of their device. 
We strive to extend the life cycle of our IQOS devices. Achieving this starts with design and choice of materials, followed by imposing high standards of quality and reliability and extends to engaging with our consumers to preserve devices through proper care. This in turn lowers return rates for us and contributes to the overall improvement of our device circularity as less used devices end up as waste. 
We help our users care for their devices, so they serve them for longer by providing them with care simple tips and cleaning guidance. We release regular software updates that improve device efficiencies and encourage proper device charging to extend battery life. 
We also have a set of free support services available in selected IQOS service points, such as professional cleaning of devices, airflow checks and firmware upgrades. Our contact centers assist consumers with their devices and ensure that their purchase is complemented by a best-in-class after-sale support. All this helps users keep our devices in optimal condition for longer and slows the need to change them. 
We also want our IQOS users our products with less impact on the environment. This is why we are providing them with a responsible disposal method for their used devices and tobacco sticks. Our Circular Program, also available in Croatia, strive to ensure that waste generated by our products (used IQOS and lil devices or used tobacco sticks) can be recycled or used for energy recovery. In parallel, we aim to educate consumers on how to properly dispose of our products at the end of their life cycle. The best way is to take them to our selected IQOS stores, from where we will hand them over for recycling or energy recovery. We recycle the components that can be recycled. Non-recyclable components are to be used for energy production.

Learn more about our Circular Program, available in Croatia. 
Together we can make a difference.