It was the Apple vs GEEP court case, where Apple literally used working devices in those containers to track where they were, even though they were "off" and not recycleable ;)

Apple does not allow recyclers to refurbish their devices, even when they are still fully functioning, by its written contract with the recycling companies.

After it got public and traction, Apple seemed to have just dropped the lawsuit, which was suing for 30M in damages (for 100.000 devices that were being tracked while being shipped and refurbished).

[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2020/10/07/apple-g...

[2] https://thelogic.co/news/exclusive/apple-sues-ontario-electr...

About 20% of devices that were to be recycled were being sold -

https://www.theverge.com/apple/2020/10/4/21499422/apple-sues...