I usually dismantle them when I get a pile.
The following doesn't work with every fan but should with most consumer PC fans. Once you get practice with some you can adjust as different fans present different challenges. This may not be worth your time; only you can make that determination.
Usually you remove the sticker on the back and you'll reveal the post (my terminology may not be standard) with some sort of retaining ring to keep it from flying off the motor. These can be plastic or metal with various means of removal.
I usually disconnect the wires here as close to the circuit board as possible.
Once the ring is off just pull the fan off, leaving you with plastic, steel and a some sort of magnet on the fan side. (If the fan uses bearings the post can be useful in pulling or pushing them out.)
On the motor side a set of adjustable pliers will help to pull the motor and small circuit board off. May need to twist before pulling. A small flathead can usually pry off the circuit board.
There may be a small (or not so small) bit of steel or brass left in the center of the main plastic housing or in the middle of the motor depending on construction. This may be able to be punched out or may need to be cut out.
So you should have: the fan blade with mixed material the plastic housing a motor a low-low peripheral grade board and various steel and/or brass
_________________ Here to learn more so I can recycle more My grades are my own opinion and not an official grade from Boardsort
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