Instead of Binning an Old PlayStation, Here Are Ways to Give It a New Purpose
Tech site Engadget offers tips on what to do with an unused Sony PlayStation console: turn it into a media center, reuse its parts, sell it, donate it or recycle it.
Tech outlet Engadget has published advice for owners who no longer use their old Sony PlayStation game console. The article argues the device does not need to be thrown away, since it can be given another job, and if it is truly of no use it can be sold or recycled. This matters partly because of the growing volume of electronic waste.
Media center and reusable parts
The console can serve as a media player in three ways: through streaming apps, physical discs or USB drives. On the PlayStation 3, streaming options are limited because many major services no longer support it. The PlayStation 2 plays DVDs, while the PS3 and PS4 handle both DVDs and Blu-rays. To play files from USB, the drive must be formatted as exFAT (FAT32 for the PS3), and the PS4 requires the Media Player app to be installed.
Individual parts can also be useful. The DualShock 4 controller works with phones, tablets, PCs and some newer consoles, as well as the Amazon Fire TV Stick. The hard drive, which Sony designed to be user-replaceable, can be reformatted and placed in a USB enclosure as external storage. The HDMI and power cables can be reused too.
Selling, donating and recycling
There are three main ways to sell a console. Retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon and GameStop are the most convenient, but they tend to make low offers and often pay only in store credit. Buyback sites such as Back Market Trade-in pay cash and usually offer more, though payment is slower and there are shipping risks. Marketplaces such as Swappa and eBay can bring in the most money, but the process is more demanding and takes longer.
The console can also be handed down to a younger person or donated, for example to Gamers Outreach, which gives consoles to children in hospitals. The article advises checking a charity's profile and reviews first, because scammers can pose as charities. A damaged console should go to a local e-waste facility, since electronics contain hazardous substances such as lead. Best Buy and Staples run recycling programs, and Earth911 can be used to find local recyclers.
Preparing the console
Before parting with it, the article recommends backing up saved data to a USB drive or the PlayStation Plus cloud, unlinking a PS4 from the user's account, and performing a factory reset.
