According to a report from the Electronics TakeBack Coalition, some 3.16 million tons of electronic waste, or e-waste, was generated in the United States in 2008, only 14 percent of which was recycled. Most parts of electronics and computers can be recycled.
First is the battery. Most of the batteries of electronics can be recycled like batteries of computers and of smartphones. Their power source is recyclable. That means its life will go on and on, without leaking dangerous chemicals into a landfill.
Then, motherboards are highly recyclable. Some recyclers would salvage every piece of recyclable material in the motherboard. Some companies crush the motherboard to smithereens and then use a magnet to pull the valuable metals out. Some even melt the whole thing down (plastic, metal, and all), so that they can skim precious metals from the goop.
In addition, metals and plastics that made for computers can be recycled. They can be melted to shape as new components for new electronics to prevents from abuse of materials and follows principles of sustainable developments.
Reference:
May, R., Taylor-Reynolds, J., Allen, J., White, M., & Turner, J. (2015, October 31). E-Waste: What Percent of Your Laptop can be Recycled? Retrieved March 07, 2018, from http://www.businesspundit.com/e-waste-what-percent-of-your-laptop-can-be-recycled/