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How Gamers Are Killing the Planet (and How to Stop It)

How Gamers Are Killing the Planet (and How to Stop It)

E-waste. It’s a huge problem, and those of us who love gaming are a part of it. According to The Verge , we’re expected to toss over 91 billion pounds of electronic waste globally this year. Giant dumps of discarded TVs and gadgets are growing in third world countries. Huge “islands” of plastic and discarded consumer goods are showing up in the middle of the ocean. The compounds used in our electronics seep into the soil and poison water supplies. It’s not much fun to think about, but we really should, and so should the companies that make our gaming devices. That’s why I’m concerned with this new trend towards mid-generation console replacements like the PS Pro and Project Scorpio. Even more than a brand new console generation, these partial upgrades contribute to the scourge that is e-waste.

Why’s that? Well, a brand new console generation only comes along every so often, and even when it does, you tend to keep your old consoles so you can still play your old games. Even if you don’t, you can trade it in, and there’s a steady demand for used consoles from previous generations. Mid-generation replacement consoles are different. If you get a PS4 Pro, you’ve got no real use for your old PS4 anymore. Its life span has just been dramatically shortened, and only so many people are going to want to buy a used regular PS4 when it’s so easy to get a nice PS4 bundle on sale. Same deal with Project Scorpio.

We’re bad enough as it is with our cell phones and other mobile devices, which are purposefully made with short shelf lives so we’ll plonk down another $300-$600 (or commit to an overpriced contract so they’re “free”) on the next model that comes around. We replace our TVs less often, but when we do get rid of them, they’re a massive pain to recycle, if they get recycled at all. Do we really need to add more game consoles to the pile? It’s something for all of us to think about.

If the big console makers are going to keep up this trend, a far better choice for the next generation would be to create modular consoles that allow owners to easily upgrade hard drives, memory, and even graphics cards. It would create less waste and give consumers more choices. Sure, it requires some clever engineering and, yes, it raises the risk of console mods that bypass DRM. However, if Sony and Microsoft really want consoles to be more like PCs, they’re going to have to take on some of the same risks that the PC market faces. Modular consoles would be far better for consumers and the environment.

How Gamers Are Killing the Planet (and How to Stop It)

In the meantime, what can you do if you’re looking to replace your old PS4 or Xbox One with a mid-generation model? If it’s broken and you need to throw it out, consult your city’s web page about how to safely recycle it. There may also be local charity organizations that will recycle it for you, though that’s more common for old PCs than consoles. If it still works, you can trade it in, resell it, donate it, or perhaps give it to a friend or relative. Even if they aren’t big gamers, they can use the console to watch DVDs and use streaming services. Just don’t send it to the dump with your regular garbage. You’ll make the pandas cry.

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