Sorry, I might be stupid, but I'm not sure what you're saying. What _is_ the critical issue? Generally destroying objects?

There is some spectrum between a usable item and complete refuse, it feels like most of the stuff being cut up is closer to refuse, but I could be very wrong.

Destroying objects that have historical value (which is distinct from collectible value).

As an exaggerated example, you wouldn't chop up a Dead Sea Scroll into tiny fragments just because it's useless as bedtime reading. The fact that collectors would be willing to buy very tiny pieces of dead sea scroll (perhaps collectively netting more than the sale of a single intact scroll) doesn't make it okay.