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Nintendo Product Recycling

Video game products have a significant nostalgic value and are still fun to play and own even decades after they're first purchased. Unlike other electronics, such as cell phones, computers and televisions, video game systems are usually kept, resold, or handed down to family and friends. As such, we see very limited demand to dispose of video game products.

Because video game systems retain significant value, Nintendo of America offers a number of options to maximize their continued use, while also offering recycling options to consumers and businesses that help minimize the waste disposal of video game products.

How Nintendo of America helps minimize the waste disposal of video game products:

    • Offers a free and convenient Take Back Program for consumers and businesses that would like Nintendo to recycle their products for them. The Take Back program uses a network of thousands of UPS locations across the country to ship the products in at no cost. We'll even recycle a competitor's home console for those consumers who have purchased a Nintendo system.
    • Offers reasonably-priced and convenient repair options to maximize continued use of current Nintendo systems.
    • Continues to offer repair support for Nintendo systems well after retail sales of new products have ended (for example, Nintendo GameCube systems).
    • Remanufactures or refurbishes retailer and consumer returns and utilizes them for repair and replacement programs, as well as for sales into some secondary markets.
    • Recycles close to 100% of the materials from any returned products or repair parts that can't be re-used, and partners with a certified recycler to ensure that responsible recycling practices are utilized*.

      (In calendar year 2012, Nintendo of America processed 357 tons of returned products (U.S. and Canada). Of that amount there is a 99% recycle rate, with almost two-thirds being reused in its original form, which is the most environmentally friendly recycling option.)

How to recycle or repair Nintendo products

    • Repair
      If your Nintendo system is no longer working, a repair might be an option for you. We offer reasonably-priced repairs on many systems even long after they stop being sold new at retail. Click here for more information on troubleshooting and repairs.

    • Take Back Program - Free!
      We provide a free courtesy product Take Back Program for the recycling of Nintendo hardware, software, accessories, and rechargeable batteries. In addition, we will also accept a video game console, made by another company, from consumers who have also purchased a Nintendo console.

      Once your Take Back order is set up, complete instructions for packaging your shipment and locating a free and convenient UPS location will be provided. If a drop-off location is greater than 5 miles from your location, please call 1-800-255-3700 for free pick-up instructions.

      If you are interested in sending product to Nintendo for recycling, there are two options for you to choose from:

      • Use our convenient online Take Back Program form (U.S. only).

      • If you are a business sending in multiple systems, or are a US or Canadian consumer who would prefer to call to set up your product Take Back order, please call Nintendo of America at 1-800-255-3700. Representatives are available between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Pacific Time), seven days a week.

    • Recycle locally and responsibly**
      If you'd like to recycle your Nintendo products locally, there are a variety of programs available. Nintendo recommends that you use a recycler with a commitment to supporting environmental stewardship by handling the donated material in a responsible way.

      • *Additional information on Nintendo of America's recycling efforts: Nintendo supports the goals of certifications such as R2 and e-Steward's, and we believe that a successful national recycling certification must be supported by government, business and affiliated associations. Nintendo partners with a R2 certified national recycler with a commitment to environmental stewardship that meets our Corporate Social Responsibility goals and values, and we require the following from our recycling partner:

      • Be certified in Quality, Health and Safety, and Environmental management systems (e.g. ISO 9001, 14001 and 18001), and R2 Responsible Recycling guidelines published by the EPA (http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/ecycling/r2practices.htm.)
      • Specifically disallow the export of defective electronics for processing to non-OECD countries.
      • Operate a transparent and closed-loop recycling process.
      • Wholly support a zero electronics-to-landfill policy and utilize domestic processors for preparation of materials into smelters and refiners.

      Any products we receive through our Take Back Program that cannot be reused will be recycled responsibly. In calendar year 2011, Nintendo of America processed 548 tons of returned products (U.S. and Canada), of which 68 percent was reused and 30 percent recycled. We also offer a take back program for consumers with older products, rechargeable batteries, etc.

      Attn: Residents of the state of Illinois - All waste video game consoles, televisions, etc. generated by households in Illinois must be recycled. For more information about Illinois' electronic waste law, please visit the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency website at: www.epa.state.il.us/land/electronic-waste-recycling/index.html.

      Attn: Residents of the state of Maine - All waste video game consoles, televisions, etc. generated by households in Maine must be recycled. For more information about Maine's electronic waste law, please visit the Maine Department of Environmental Protection website at: www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/ewaste.

      Attn: Residents of the state of Maryland - Waste televisions, hand-held video game consoles, and other electronic products with display screens exceeding 4 inches generated by households in Maryland must be recycled at no cost to the consumer. Nintendo provides a free courtesy product Take Back Program - click here for the online form. If you require packaging, Nintendo will provide it for free when you contact us at 1-800-448-6797. For information about Maryland's electronic waste law, please visit "Recycling Resources for Residents of Maryland."

      Attn: Residents of the state of New York - All waste video game consoles, televisions, etc. generated by households in New York must be recycled. For more information about New York's electronic waste law, please visit the New York Department of Environmental Conservation website at: www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/66872.html.

      Attn: Residents of the state of Vermont - All waste video game consoles, televisions, etc. generated by households in Vermont must be recycled. For information about Vermont's electronic waste law, please visit the Vermont E-Waste Recycling Program website at: http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/e-waste/.

      Attn: Residents of the state of West Virginia - Waste televisions, hand-held video game consoles, and other electronic products with display screens exceeding 4 inches generated by households in West Virginia must be recycled. For information about West Virginia's electronic waste law, please visit the West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board website at: http://www.state.wv.us/swmb/RMDP/EWaste/e-Cycle_WV.html.

      Residentes no Brasil - todas as baterias ou pilhas descartadas no Brasil devem ser recicladas. Para obter informações sobre o processo de reciclagem de baterias entre em contato com um ponto de coleta em sua cidade ou entre em contato com a HG Digital Service, telefone: (11) 3868-2658. Para obter maiores informações sobre a Lei de Reciclagem de Baterias no Brasil, por favor visite o website do Ministério do Meio Ambiente em: http://www.mma.gov.br/port/conama/legiabre.cfm?codlegi=589

       

      **Your personal information: If your Wii U, Wii, Nintendo DSi, or Nintendo 3DS is still functional enough to do so, remove any personal information from it before you sell, donate, or recycle it. For steps on doing this, use these links:
      Wii U      Wii      Nintendo DSi / Nintendo DSi XL      Nintendo 3DS / Nintendo 3DS XL

      For consumer protection all items received through our Take Back Program are thoroughly dismantled and crushed prior to shipping them out to be shredded for recycling. In this way all consumer data contained on the system is permanently destroyed prior to leaving our facility.

 

More about Nintendo of America and the environment
For additional information on Nintendo of America's efforts to protect the environment and better the community, please read our Corporate Social Responsibility Report.