Same for me… After getting a new laptop we were supposed do deliver the old one to a recycling centre.

My first work laptop from that job served as my home server up until last month or so (about 8 years). My second laptop I kept after quitting the job. I was also supposed to deliver it to a recycling point. I quit that job about 4-5 years ago. I'm writing this reply from that 2nd laptop right now :)
Seems like a better use of resources than having it scrapped. I don't really consider it stealing, but I do get it's probably not 100% legal either.

Both laptops are Lenovo's.