Summary
Everyone loves shiny new gaming gear, but inevitably your gaming hardware will break, or become too obsolete for your needs. So instead of hoarding it all, you’ll need some way to get rid of your old gaming gear in an environmentally-friendly way.
So before you just tip those old joysticks or whatnot into a garbage bag and call it a day, consider one of these fine alternatives.
Trade or Sell It
You may not have noticed, but gaming hardware is incredibly expensive these days. When I have a browse through Facebook Marketplace, as one example, I’m shocked at how much people have been selling PC hardware from ten years ago for. Also, don’t get me started on anything that has the phrase “retro gaming” in it, because those sellers have smelled blood for sure.
If you’re looking to get rid of your old gaming gear, however, that’s potentially good news for you, and stuff you may think isn’t worth much could actually have a decent amount of demand.
Even if you have gear that’s broken, like old consoles that won’t turn on anymore, or have broken optical drives, some people like to buy these devices up and make working units from the spares.
So before you throw away your gaming-related stuff, advertise it online and see if you get any decent bites.
Donate to Schools or Charities
While an old computer, laptop, or gaming console might not be of use to you anymore, there are organizations that will happily take them as a donation and put them to good use. You can donate your stuff to charity shops that give their profits to designated charities, and sometimes schools will take any computer equipment you have, because it’s still good enough to write an essay on or access the internet.
Of course, you shouldn’t dump your junk on these charities, since they can’t repair the equipment most of the time. So it has to be in working and usable condition, but if it’s not worth selling, it might be worth giving away to someone who can still use it.
Using a Recycling Program for Electronics
If you can’t donate, gift, or sell your old gaming gear, then you should check if you have an electronics recycling facility nearby, since these specialized recyclers can extract useful materials like gold and copper from your stuff and dispose of toxic materials safely in places designed for that purpose.
Even if you can’t find some place that lets you drop off your electronics, if you speak to a local thrift store or computer outlet, they may have an agreement with a recycler that does pickup and might be willing to include your stuff with their refuse.
Dispose of Batteries Separately
If the stuff you want to throw away contains built-in batteries, then you should remove those batteries and dispose of them separately, unless you’re handing the device over to a specialized electronics recycler, in which case they’ll probably do it.
However, I don’t recommend that you do this for devices where the batteries were not designed to be easily removed, like modern smartphones. You run the risk of puncturing or otherwise damaging the battery, which could be dangerous. So, rather, take these phones to a dedicated recycler. You might also have the option to trade or dispose of devices like phones at certain stores. In some cases, you could actually get a gift card or cash back for old phones that can still be refurbished and resold.
Re-Use the Controllers
If you have a broken console with working controllers, you might want to hang on to the controllers, even if you aren’t going to keep the console. It’s usually possible to get controllers working with a PC with adapters or some software magic, which can be great for retro emulation, and you never know when an old controller will come in handy.
Keep It for a Retro Gaming Experience
If you want to get rid of old gaming gear simply because it’s out of date and you want to spend time with new shiny stuff, think twice. I really regretted selling my old CRT monitor and CRT TV, and had to spend quite a bit of time and money to find ones again once I realized what I was missing.
Likewise, I wish I had kept my original PlayStation from the 90s, and now I’m looking at a fair chunk of cash to get a clean used one today. Which is why I’ve made a personal rule not to sell my old gaming stuff unless the replacement clearly replaces it in every way.
It’s all fun and games until you have to consider the environmental impact of our hobby, so take the time to dispose of your unwanted gaming stuff responsibly, and you’re able to keep on gaming with a clear conscience.
