Kathy Chu for USA Today:

Apple has told prominent environmental activists in the U.S. and China that it will soon allow independent environmental reviews of at least two suppliers’ factories in China, the activists said.

Apple agreed to the audits in January. The company has improved its record in recent years for using recyclable, reclaimable materials, but has been criticized because of the processes some of its suppliers use to create the components used in its hardware. Environmental groups allege those suppliers dump hazardous waste and use toxic chemicals in the production of components.