> From the large enterprise IT departments I've seen, cleaning up old laptops that aren't being re-used by the enterprise is a very, very low priority

That's a political choice. If there was a direct cost associated with scrapping electronics rather than reusing it, there would be an immediate cost-benefit analysis done.

For example, if there was a $100 deposit on all electronics sold in US stores that would be refunded when a refurbishing company refurbished the product, a company can immediately see a return on investment of company time. It will immediately be worth it to have an IT person spend the 5 minutes it would take to get the device ready for refurbishment. Hell, if the company is large enough, it would be worth it to have someone employed to do only that.

It would also incentivise private individuals to dispose of their devices responsibly, because who wouldn't want $100 just for handing in eWaste?