miyamuto 
There is a term they teach in economics called "opportunity cost", that is, the cost of the next best alternative forgone. Basically, what else could you be doing in the same timeslot and how much money would you make doing that other thing? Stated differently, is this thing you are scrapping right now the very best use of your time. So, for someone who works a full-time job and knocks down $100k/year, it isn't worth it for them to scrap.
Another factor has to do with snobbishness or laziness, to put it bluntly. I know lots of people who have plenty of time on their hands and don't have that much money, but they wouldn't be caught dead doing their own yard work or housework. So they pay a yard crew and maid to take care of it for them. I bet there are a bunch of people on this site who go to places like Jiffy Lube instead of changing their own oil.
To add to a comment above, I recently gave away a golf cart that wouldn't run anymore. It was damaged in a big hailstorm and we just don't have a use for it anymore. I don't have a truck, so it is too big for me to take to the scrap yard. Before giving it away, however, I removed the six batteries, some aluminum and a bunch of copper wire.
Another factor that I didn't see mentioned above is that safety aspect. There are probably many people who don't want to open a computer or device that has a sign saying: "Danger. Risk of shock. No user serviceable parts inside."
We probably all do certain things where another person looks at us and thinks to themself "Man, they sure are wasting a lot of money!"
Bookmarks