In a time when electronic waste (e-waste) is piling up by the millions of tons, Apple has introduced a new technology that makes it easier to recycle its iPhones. The whole process is done by a recycling robot that goes by the name of Liam.

According to Apple, Liam can open and remove all the aluminum, copper, tin, tungsten, cobalt, gold and silver parts in an iPhone six– all in 11 seconds flat.

But Reuters reports that Liam will only be able to recycle a fraction of the hundreds of millions of iPhones it produces each year, and the technology will not be available for third-party recyclers.

Waste from used electronics may only comprise 2 percent of the waste in U.S. landfills, but according to DoSomething.org, e-waste is responsible for70 percent of the toxic wastein these landfills.

The toxic waste from electronics isn't just bad for the environment, it's bad for your health. The World Health Organization (WHO)warns of contact with lead, cadmium, chromium, and other chemicalseither directly in factories or indirectly as the substances leach into the soil and groundwater. WHO notes this is an especially dire concern in developing countries where the electronics are produced.

But Apple's announcement is a move in the right direction. Now, Apple customers will have more options than ever to recycle their iPhones. Liam is part of a new Apple Renew program that aims to make it easier for customers to hand in all kinds of Apple products for recycling.

(MORE: Top 6 Toxic Threats to the Environment)

Apple's focus on recycling iPhones isn't the only thing the company is doing to be more eco-friendly. Tech Times reports that Apple facilities in China and the United States have already achieved Apple's goal of running on 100 percent renewable energy. The company is also currently building a massive solar farm in Chinaand investing in rooftop solar technology in Singapore,Inhabitat reports.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM: 13 Architectural Wonders and Spaces Reclaimed