Don’t Throw Your Old Xbox or PlayStation in the Trash
As part of New York’s new electronics waste collection program last week, s official said more than 100,000 items were collected from home in less than three years. And while that means there will be fewer electronics like computers, cell phones or televisions in our landfills, this is incredibly small. According to one estimate , 6.9 million tons of e-waste was generated in the United States in 2016.
While the PS4 or Xbox you use may not make up a significant portion of that e-waste, that doesn’t mean they aren’t contributing to the problem. If you have used game consoles, don’t throw them in the trash – you can most likely resell them at any electronics store, or at least recycle them.
Resell them online or in retail stores.
Before you dispose of your console, you should first explore options for reselling it, assuming the console is still functional. if it is a particularly valuable console, chances are you will make some money in the process.
Sites like DeCluttr and BuyBackWorld will buy your consoles and resell them on your behalf, saving you the hassle of dealing and negotiating with real buyers. Most major electronics stores like Best Buy also have exchange programs, although you should expect to benefit less from the deal. (GameStop, in particular, is getting a bad reputation for exchange deals.)
Alternatively, you can host the console and sell it to yourself on eBay, Craigslist, or even the Facebook marketplace. Of course, be prudent; Research a suitable price and do not immediately accept low offers. If you have multiple consoles and games for sale, you should list them individually, not bundled, as that might make you a little more money.
And before you sell your console, be sure to erase any personal information and back up any data. On the Reddit thread, u / blackboxinquiry recommends resetting your console to factory defaults to erase any information you have and, if possible, place it in its original packaging. You should learn how to properly wipe your console.
Donate them to local organizations
If your game console may not be making you that much profit, try donating it to local organizations and charities instead. Both Gamers Outreach and Charity Nerds will accept used game consoles and provide them to children in hospitals during extended stays. Just email them the addresses listed on their websites. If not, check with your local library or family shelters who may make good use of your old console; they will probably also accept any used video games.
Be sure to check the organization before donating; game consoles are valuable and it’s no wonder people can fool you on one of them. (Look online and, if possible, see reviews from other donors.)
Dispose of with your local e-waste recycling facility
If your used console cannot be RIP, your next course of action is to recycle it. Considering the various parts of the console, from the plastic case to the circuit board, it is not easy to disassemble and recycle each part.
Fortunately, several retailers, including Best Buy , will recycle your entire console. At Microsoft Stores, you can exchange Xbox for Store Credit if it still works; otherwise, the company will dispose of it on your behalf. Nintendo also offers a recycling program for all of its consoles.
Alternatively, search the Internet or use the Earth911 search locator to find e-waste recyclers. (Search for “Video Game Cartridges” or “Video Game Peripherals” and your zip code. You will likely find a center that will accept your console. Just be sure to contact them ahead of time to be sure.)
And if you just can’t let go of your console yet, that’s okay too. Try repurposing it with our guide, or keep it for a long time. Who knows how much it might be worth in ten or two decades?