Last week, as part of New York City’s new electronics waste collection program, officials stated that more than 100,000 items were collected from homes in fewer than three years. And while that means fewer electronics—like computers, cell phones or televisions—in our landfills, it’s an incredibly small number. According to one estimate, the U.S. generated 6.9 million tons of e-waste in 2016.
And while your used PS4 or Xbox may not make up a significant portion of that e-waste, that doesn’t mean they’re not contributing to the problem. If you have any used gaming consoles, don’t trash them—you can likely re-sell them at any electronics store or recycle them at the very least.
Resell them online or at big-box retailers
Before you get rid of your console, first, you should research your options to resell it, assuming the console still functions. if it’s an especially valuable console, chances are you’ll make some money in the process.
Sites like DeCluttr and BuyBackWorld will buy your consoles and re-sell them on your behalf, saving you the process of having to deal and negotiate with actual buyers. Most major electronics stores like Best Buy also have trade-in programs, though you should expect to get a little less out of the deal. (GameStop, in particular, gets a bad rap for its trade-in deals.)
Alternatively, you can list the console and sell it for yourself on eBay, Craigslist or even Facebook’s Marketplace. Of course, use good judgment; do some research on the right price and don’t immediately accept low-ball offers. If you have several consoles and games to sell, you should list them individually as opposed to in a bundle, as it might earn you a little more cash.
And before you sell your console, don’t forget to wipe any personal information and back up any data. On a Reddit thread, u/blackboxinquiry recommends factory-resetting your console to erase any of your information and placing it in its original packaging, if possible. You should research how to properly wipe your console.
Donate them to local organizations
If a gaming console might not earn you all that much, try donating it to local organizations and charities instead. Both Gamers Outreach and Charity Nerds will accept used gaming consoles and provide them to children at hospitals during extended stays. Just mail them to the addresses provided on their websites. Otherwise, contact your local library or family shelters that might put your old console to good use; they’ll likely accept any used video games, too.
Be sure to properly vet the organization before donating; gaming consoles are valuable and it shouldn’t come as a surprise that people might scam you out of one. (Look them up online and for reviews by other donors, if possible.)
Recycle using a local e-waste facility
If your used console is unsalvageable (R.I.P.), your next course of action is to recycle it. Given the various parts of a console—from the plastic casing to the circuit board—it’s not easy to disassemble and recycle each part.
Luckily, several retailers including Best Buy will accept your entire console for recycling. At Microsoft stores, you can trade-in an Xbox for store credit if it still works; otherwise, the company will recycle it on your behalf. Nintendo also offers a take-back recycling program for any of its consoles.
Alternately, perform an online search or use Earth911's search locator to find e-waste recyclers. (Search for “Video Game Cartridges” or “Video Game Peripherals” and your zip code. You’ll likely find a facility that will accept your console. Just be sure to contact them in advance to be sure.)
And if you just can’t let go of your console just yet, that’s fine, too. Try repurposing it using our guide or save it for the long run. Who knows how much it might be worth a decade or two from now?