Setting aside the secrecy assertion, don't we want companies to innovate and use reduced eco-footprint as a marketing advantage? Companies are profit motivated and must be to survive. Don't we want other companies to look at Apple and see the market goodwill fostered by eco-friendly practices and strive to emulate that? Or strive to create even better ways of doing things?
Throwing stones at environmental innovation just seems a counter-productive reaction.
I am definitely glad to see they're not using primary cobalt and instead using only recycled, though, and think that part is praiseworthy.
They're creating a culture of sustainability. That means not ignoring the small stuff just because it's small. And cutting plastic waste by the truck every few hours [1] is not small.
[1] 26,500 iPhones' plastic covers saved every hour
[a] 232.2mm iPhones shipped in 2022 https://www.businessofapps.com/data/apple-statistics/