Brits can earn as much as £160 from previous consoles utilizing recycling methodology | Gaming | Entertainment | EUROtoday

As we trundle by means of the rest of January, loads of us will probably be beginning to really feel the pinch as payday stays frustratingly distant. If you’re searching for a method to stretch your price range till the tip of the month, it could be value rooting round within the loft for an previous online game console you not use.

According to new analysis from Virgin Media O2, the UK is dwelling to round 49 million consoles which might be sitting unused. Valued at £4.14 billion, that’s a number of cheddar gathering mud.

Sales information from the tech vendor signifies that console gross sales figures rose considerably over Christmas 2025. With households changing previous consoles with newer ones, they’re usually relegated to a drawer as a substitute of buying and selling them again in for a bit of cash.

However, there’s a simple method to recycle your previous gaming {hardware}. Not solely is it higher for the planet, however you’ll receives a commission on your efforts, too.

O2 has a recycling scheme that may take your previous consoles in return for money. It could be discovered over on O2’s website with a search bar to seek out the console you wish to eliminate.

Of course, fashionable consoles will fetch the best costs. Here’s how a lot you could possibly get for a latest system relying on its high quality:

• PlayStation 5: Up to £160
• Nintendo Switch OLED: Up to £92
• Xbox Series X: Up to £110

Older consoles are accepted, however fetch a a lot smaller value. For instance, O2 will solely reward you with £8 for a Wii U, or £4 for an Xbox 360.

Still, it’s higher than nothing – particularly if these consoles are simply taking on house in your attic.

Speaking in regards to the O2 Recycling system, chief sustainability officer Dana Haidan stated: ““With millions of new consoles taking pride of place in gamers’ homes this January, we know it can be overwhelming for Brits to know what to do with their unwanted gaming gadgets.

“That’s why O2 Recycle exists – to keep consoles and other tech in use for longer, whether that’s refurbishing and reselling them so they can be enjoyed by other gamers, or by ensuring they’re responsibly recycled when reuse isn’t possible.”

It’s value noting that different providers can be found for buying and selling in your individual tech. For instance, a PlayStation 5 in good situation will fetch £180 in money at CEX, whereas the high-street dealer gives you £108 for a Switch OLED in its authentic packaging.

However, costs at these shops usually depend upon the situation of the merchandise you’re buying and selling in. A pristine console that’s been nicely taken care of will fetch a a lot larger value than one which’s taken a beating.

As such, I’d advise players to buy round for the most effective value for his or her unused tech. Selling in your previous {hardware} stays a good way to stretch your January price range somewhat additional, although – particularly if Chrismtas noticed a model new console substitute your previous one.