Microsoft Promises Xbox Consoles Will Be 100% Recyclable By 2030
Microsoft intends to make Xbox consoles, accessories, and packaging 100% recyclable by the time we reach 2030.
In an update to its sustainability commitments last week, Microsoft singled out its Xbox business when detailing the efforts being made to achieve a "carbon negative, water positive and zero waste" state over the next eight years.
You may be surprised to hear the Xbox Series X and Series S are already rated as 97% recyclable using the standard metric (UL 2789 Environmental Claim Validation (ECV) Procedure). That last 3% is now the focus, and Microsoft is looking to improve both the hardware and software to get there.
Late last year, the Xbox Series S started using Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) resins for some internal components and casing. Those same resins are being used in Xbox controllers (50% internal, 30% external) and a minimum of 25% PCR resins are used for the 15 Xbox Design Lab color options.
The Energy Saver sleep mode option both Series consoles include was also improved last year—it now uses 20x less power than Standby mode. Energy savings were also made when the consoles are downloading updates in this sleep mode. Xbox Cloud Gaming will benefit from Microsoft's Azure datacenters moving to 100% renewable energy by 2025.
Other ares of improvement so far include switching from plastic to paperboard for Xbox gift cards, no more single-use plastic in packaging after 2025, running a Trade-in and Consumer Mail-back programs for old devices (laptop, tablet, phone, or game console), and a free ground shipping option for the Microsoft Store in the US, which "typically results in the fewest carbon emissions."
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