Laptop Recycling: What Happens to your Laptop after pickup?

by | Jan 14, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Laptop recycling is often highly undervalued. This is ironic due to the fact that laptops are one of the most commonly replaced electronics for businesses. New models roll out every year, batteries wear down, screens crack, storage fills up, and suddenly a device that once ran your business is sitting in a drawer “just in case.”

The good news is that laptops are highly recyclable. It’s important that old or unwanted laptops go through the right recycling process, because laptops contain valuable recoverable materials — and a few components that need careful handling.

Below is a clear look at what’s inside a laptop, how each part is recycled, and why certified electronics recycling matters.

 

What’s inside a laptop?

A typical laptop contains:

  • Plastic and metal casing

  • LCD or LED screen with glass layers

  • Circuit boards

  • Memory modules (RAM)

  • Storage drives (HDD or SSD)

  • Lithium-ion battery

  • Cables, connectors, and small metal parts

Responsible recyclers aim to separate each of these material streams so plastics, metals, glass, and electronic boards can be processed properly. Large-scale electronics recyclers describe this separation process as the foundation of modern e-waste recycling.

Source: https://www.simslifecycle.com/oem/how-computers-are-recycled/

 

The screen and glass

Most laptops use LCD or LED-backlit LCD screens, similar to computer monitors.

These screens contain layered glass, plastic films, and liquid crystal material, along with a backlight unit. Older LCDs may use CCFL backlights that contain mercury, which is why screens must be handled carefully during recycling.

Research from environmental agencies confirms that LCD recycling requires controlled separation of glass layers and backlight components to safely manage mercury-containing parts.

Source: https://www.epa.ie/publications/research/waste/strive-122—state-of-the-art-recycling-technology-for-liquid-crystal-displays.php

When screens are intact and not shattered, recyclers can separate these layers more safely and efficiently. Damaged screens are still recyclable, but they require stricter handling procedures, decreasing the value of the recyclable materials.

 

The circuit boards

Inside every laptop is a collection of printed circuit boards, including:

  • Motherboards

  • Graphics boards

  • Power regulation boards

These boards contain copper, gold, silver, palladium, and other recoverable metals. Electronics recyclers send circuit boards to specialized downstream processors where precious metals are extracted and refined.

The U.S. EPA notes that electronics recycling helps recover valuable metals that would otherwise require new mining.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling

 

Memory (RAM) and processors

Memory modules and processors are removed during disassembly and sent into electronics-grade material recovery streams. While individual RAM sticks are small, in bulk they contribute meaningful recoverable metal content.

They are processed similarly to circuit boards — separated, shredded, and refined by specialized downstream smelters.

(Industry overview of board-level recovery: https://www.simslifecycle.com/oem/how-computers-are-recycled/)

 

Hard drives and solid-state drives

Storage devices are one of the main reasons businesses delay laptop recycling: data security.

  • Hard disk drives (HDDs) contain aluminum platters, steel housings, and electronic control boards.

  • Solid-state drives (SSDs) contain flash memory chips and controller boards.

Both are recyclable — but only after secure data destruction. Certified recyclers either wipe or physically destroy storage devices before sending them into material recovery streams.

This is why reputable electronics recyclers always include data handling as part of their commercial recycling services.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling

 

Plastic and metal casings

Laptop shells are typically made from:

  • ABS or polycarbonate plastics

  • Aluminum or magnesium alloy frames

During recycling, casings are separated from internal components and sent into plastic reprocessing and metal recovery streams. These materials are reused in manufacturing new products, reducing the need for raw material extraction.

Large recyclers describe this as one of the most consistent recovery streams in electronics recycling.

Source: https://www.simslifecycle.com/oem/how-computers-are-recycled/

 

The battery

Laptop batteries are usually lithium-ion. These cannot go in regular trash and require dedicated recycling channels.

Lithium-ion batteries are processed to recover cobalt, nickel, lithium, and copper, and to prevent fire risk in landfills or waste facilities.

The U.S. EPA specifically lists lithium-ion batteries as requiring specialized recycling due to their chemical content and fire hazard potential.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling

 

Why certified laptop recycling matters

When laptops go through informal disposal routes:

  • Batteries can cause fires

  • Mercury-containing screen components can break improperly

  • Data can remain exposed

  • Valuable metals are lost to landfills

Certified electronics recyclers follow controlled disassembly, proper downstream processing, and environmental compliance standards — the difference between real recycling and simple disposal.

 

Laptop recycling for Utah businesses

If you’re a business in Utah with laptops ready to retire, the easiest solution is simple:

Recycle IT provides free pickup of unwanted laptops, along with other electronics, from businesses.

And because data matters, we include free data destruction for businesses as part of the service — so your equipment leaves your building safely and responsibly.

👉 Schedule a free pickup here.

Clear space, reduce risk, and handle laptops the right way.

 

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