Good article from Bloomberg Businessweek about Apple's recycling practices.
www.bloomberg.com
Non-paywall: https://archive.is/nEMHK
Apple sends its used iPhones and iPads to recyclers like GEEP for destruction. Employees at GEEP stole about 100,000 working iPhones, iPads, and Watches and resold them. Apple prefers to destroy used devices rather than refurbish them because they put pressure on new device prices (and lower demand). Looks like Apple may have dropped the case to avoid scrutiny of its recycling practices.

What Really Happens When You Trade In an iPhone at the Apple Store
Apple touts its network of shredding robots and contractors as a greener way to reuse old gadgets. A lengthy court battle and a Businessweek investigation have cast some light on the recycling industry’s dirty secrets.

Non-paywall: https://archive.is/nEMHK
Apple sends its used iPhones and iPads to recyclers like GEEP for destruction. Employees at GEEP stole about 100,000 working iPhones, iPads, and Watches and resold them. Apple prefers to destroy used devices rather than refurbish them because they put pressure on new device prices (and lower demand). Looks like Apple may have dropped the case to avoid scrutiny of its recycling practices.