Video Games Alternative ways to recycle Trash Container Do Not Place in Garbage Video games can leach harmful metals into the environment if not properly disposed of as e-waste. Game Consoles Are Also E-Waste Game consoles are e-waste. Though made of similar materials as video games, game consoles have different disposal options. Find out what to do with game consoles. Alternative Ways to Recycle Best Buy Game Trade-In Trade in unwanted video games in exchange for a Best Buy gift card. Look up your game’s trade-in value here. Nintendo Product Recycling Nintendo offers a free take-back program for their hardware, software, accessories and chargers. They also accept video game consoles from customers who have purchased a Nintendo console. Find out more. Electronics Recovery and Recycling Program California passed the Electronics Recycling Act of 2003 to regulate how electronics are handled at the end of their life. Find out which organizations will take back unwanted or damaged electronics. Ways to Reduce Take Proper Care of Games Handle games carefully and store them where they will stay clean and dry, away from dust, lint and moisture. Avoid touching the game connectors directly with your fingers and always check the edge connector for debris before inserting into a game system. Not Working? Try Cleaning It If your console is having a hard time reading your game, try cleaning both of them. Follow Nintendo’s instructions for cleaning game discs or instructions for cleaning a console. Using old school cartridges? Here’s how to safely clean those. Buy Used Games Instead of buying a new game, consider opting for a used game in good condition. When properly stored and well cared for, games can last for decades. Download Games Download games directly onto your gaming console from the console’s online store (such as the Nintendo online store, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, etc.). For PCs, download games from online shops such as Steam or Epic Games. Ways to Reuse Sell Old Games Consider selling unwanted video games at used game stores such as GameStop or online on sites such as eBay or OfferUp. Donate Unwanted Games Consider donating unwanted video games to places such as family shelters, children’s hospitals, schools or thrift shops. Did You Know? The History of the Game Cartridge Video game engineer Jerry Lawson and others achieved various technical breakthroughs to invent the game cartridge that launched a billion-dollar business and transformed the future of video games. Read more about the invention of the cartridge from Fast Company or the story behind inventor Jerry Lawson from Wired.
