iPhone locked to Owner

If you see a "Locked To Owner" message, one referring to iCloud locked, or activation locked:

Take it back to the person from whom you received it. Get them to do the things in this support article or ask for a refund --> What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support There is no way to discover the owner of a device unless they left a message to display on the device when it is turned on, or the person who gave you the device knows them.

Read this article about how to remove Activation Lock --> How to remove Activation Lock - Apple Support Unless you have the account information that set the lock, the original receipt from Apple, or can demonstrate legal inheritance from a deceased owner, you cannot remove the lock and should recycle the device.

The ownership of a phone is demonstrated by access to the ID that is signed into the phone, by accepted documentation (e.g., a receipt from an Apple authorized reseller), or documented provenance from a deceased owner (in that situation read: How to request access to a deceased family member's Apple account - Apple Support ). If you can't prove to Apple's satisfaction that you are the true owner of the phone, they just have to assume you are a scammer making up a story to try to get into another person's phone.

From the very bottom of Apple Trade In - Apple :

"Does Apple offer recycling?

Yes. Apple Trade In lets you recycle any Apple device (including devices from Apple-owned brands) at any Apple Store and on Apple for free. That includes your batteries and old electronic products as well as free, on-demand packaging recycling for our commercial, education, and institutional customers. When we receive your device, it will be thoroughly inspected to determine if components can be recycled or reused. Whether recycled or reused, all activities relating to the processing of your device will be managed in an environmentally responsible way."