Remix Special Edition Xbox Controller is a Recycled Champ

[T0@st]

The new Xbox Wireless Controller - Remix Special Edition is made partly from reclaimed CDs, water jugs… and other controllers' parts. We aspire to create a future of gaming in a world that we want to play in. Earth Day is just around the corner, and it provides all of us with a special opportunity to reflect on how we can improve our impact on the planet. To celebrate this year, we've created an Xbox controller that features recovered plastics with one-third of it made from regrind and reclaimed materials.

Mixing post-consumer recycled resins with regrind consisting of previously molded colored parts creates custom, earth-tone colors with subtle variations, swirling, markings, and texturing - giving each Remix Special Edition controller its own look and feel. We aspire to create a future of gaming in a world that we want to play in. Earth Day is just around the corner, and it provides all of us with a special opportunity to reflect on how we can improve our impact on the planet. To celebrate this year, we've created an Xbox controller that features recovered plastics with one-third of it made from regrind and reclaimed materials.



Mixing post-consumer recycled resins with regrind consisting of previously molded colored parts creates custom, earth-tone colors with subtle variations, swirling, markings, and texturing - giving each Remix Special Edition controller its own look and feel. Regrind is the process of mechanically recycling leftover Xbox One generation controller parts into a raw material that can be used to partially create new controllers - while maintaining durability and performance. Post-consumer recycled resins are incorporated from reclaimed materials like automotive headlight covers, plastic water jugs, and CDs.



By incorporating these regrind materials, post-consumer recycled resins, and including the Xbox Rechargeable Battery Pack - Xbox is exploring ways to use less new plastic and reduce waste. Our goal is to bring fans along with us on our journey towards greater sustainability across the Xbox product portfolio. Visit the new Xbox Sustainability Hub to learn more about our commitments and explore a collection of controllers that use less new plastics.



We drew inspiration from natural landscapes and the physical world around us when designing the Remix Special Edition controller. The various earth-tone colors create a patchwork effect, featuring bright pops of color that create a vibrant yet serene vibe. The bright green Xbox button, D-pad, and front case color are inspired by lichen found in the Pacific Northwest Forest. The bumpers, triggers, and side grip areas feature a topographic texture pattern, a nod to the earth's dynamic landscape, while maintaining the tactility that our customers like.

The included Xbox Rechargeable Battery Pack lets you play without using disposable batteries. Recharge while you play or afterwards with a full charge for up to 4 hours, and up to 30 hours of battery life per charge. The bottom of the controller sports a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack which can be used to plug in any compatible headset. Chat with your friends online or share some of your best gaming highlights, captured using the dedicated share button. Make the controller your own by customizing button mapping with the Xbox Accessories app for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10/11. Feel free to take your controller beyond the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, with Bluetooth technology that allows for wireless gaming on your PC and mobile devices.



The Xbox Wireless Controller - Remix Special Edition is available for pre-order worldwide for $84.99 USD MSRP, and will be released on April 18. Check your local retailer for product availability in your region. For more product details, visit Xbox.com.



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[oldwalltree]

I would rather not buy recycled and save 20 dollars.

 

[mukumi]

I would rather not buy recycled and save 20 dollars.

The usual one don't have a battery pack if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Dristun]

While they're at it, why not switch the sticks to hall effect ones so they don't start drifting after a couple of years, hehe

 

[Steevo]

Fast decomposition toilet paper, sure its a bit better for the earth, but is it going to fall apart when I need it the most? This controller sounds like that.

The usual one don't have a battery pack if I'm not mistaken.

There are rechargeable batteries and a battery pack for Xbox controllers and or USB-C for fast charge

 

[Chrispy_]

Greenwashing at its finest.

First of all, recycled stuff should be cheaper, to incentivise consumers to pick the recycled option.

Additionally, green products don't actually have to be the colour green. I'd rather see the natural colour of the recycled plastics or just have it dyed black. Lets face it, this isn't green because it's made out of leaves, it's still just refined oil.

 

[R-T-B]

You gotta love the response TPU generates to any attempt to do anything "green" whatsoever.

 

[Chrispy_]

You gotta love the response TPU generates to any attempt to do anything "green" whatsoever.

Because consumer electronics are some of the least green products in existence.

Plastics? Yes
Built-in obsolescence through disposable design? Yes.
Rare earth metals with hideous environmental costs for extraction and refining? Yes.
Lack of first-party replacement parts to encourage disposal and repurchase rather than repair? Yes.
Produced exclusively in the country with the highest pollution-per-capita on earth because it's more profitable? Yes.

It's green in colour, that's about it. Also, I don't like the colour.

 

[R-T-B]

Because consumer electronics are some of the least green products in existence.

And an attempt to make them from recycled materials is somehow... even worse? Why the mockery?

Besides, half of your points don't even relate to sustainability. Some posts are just ranting generally, without direction. The points may be valid, but they only come out when attempts at improvement to sustainability are made. I guess my question is a simple "why?" What does an attempt to improve things do to you to garner such commentary?

I'd rather see the natural colour of the recycled plastics

I will grant this as a valid point though. The coloration is indeed just silly.

 

[Calenhad]

That price is absolutely a rip-off. And the colour scheme is a cynical choice for sure.

But the product itself is a welcome move. We need to use more recycled plastics where we can.

Fast decomposition toilet paper, sure its a bit better for the earth, but is it going to fall apart when I need it the most? This controller sounds like that.

Such a stupid comment. True ignorance at work.

Because consumer electronics are some of the least green products in existence.

Making them greener is somehow a bad thing?

 

[sLowEnd]

That price is absolutely a rip-off. And the colour scheme is a cynical choice for sure.

But the product itself is a welcome move. We need to use more recycled plastics where we can.


Such a stupid comment. True ignorance at work.


Making them greener is somehow a bad thing?

If you care to read, there are a number of reasons why greenwashing is bad practice.

Greenwashing: Definition, How It Works, Examples, and Statistics

Greenwashing is conveying a false impression that a company or its products are more environmentally sound than they really are.

www.investopedia.com

According to Microsoft's press release, 1/3 of the shell is recycled plastic. That's the only "environmentally green" thing about this controller. It's about as low effort as it gets. "But it's better than nothing" is technically right, but is also missing the bigger picture. People ought to demand more from large companies like Microsoft, if they want any substantial change. If this is all it takes to impress people, this is all we'll get from companies.

 

[lexluthermiester]

You gotta love the response TPU generates to any attempt to do anything "green" whatsoever.

That is because the vast majority of "green" announcements are nonsense at best and flat-out lies at worst. This controller is a perfect example. 1/3 recycled plastic in the shell alone? This is it? That is something to mention in promotion materials, not something to make a whole product line about. This is nothing more than a pathetically transparent attempt(failed) at improving on their dismal public image.

@ microsoft
You want to improve your public image?
1. STOP intruding on peoples rights to privacy.
2. STOP trying to tell people how to use their PC's by forcing the use of apps and programs you've created.
3. STOP pushing unfinished, poorly thought out crap(hardware AND software) to the public.
4. STOP forcing everyone to upgrade to new hardware just to use the current OS/software. It's vapid and transparent, it's also not your right.
5. STOP buying anything and everything under the Sun. You're too big for your trousers anyway.
6. Treat your customer base with ACTUAL respect instead of your twisted and warped idea of respect.
7. Always remember, we don't care about your claims of what your rights might be, our rights come FIRST and always will.
8. Trust is EARNED, not bestowed. You are a very long way from being what most would consider trustworthy. Do something about that and be snappy about it.
And last, but certainly NOT least,
9. STOP acting like cut-throat skivvy low-lives. This is the 2020's, not the 80's & 90's. Grow up and do better!

 

[Calenhad]

If you care to read, there are a number of reasons why greenwashing is bad practice.

Greenwashing: Definition, How It Works, Examples, and Statistics

Greenwashing is conveying a false impression that a company or its products are more environmentally sound than they really are.

www.investopedia.com

According to Microsoft's press release, 1/3 of the shell is recycled plastic. That's the only "environmentally green" thing about this controller. It's about as low effort as it gets. "But it's better than nothing" is technically right, but is also missing the bigger picture. People ought to demand more from large companies like Microsoft, if they want any substantial change. If this is all it takes to impress people, this is all we'll get from companies.

And it is still 1/3 more than nothing. This is by no means a perfect product and definetly greenwashing. But it still a more environmentally friendly product compared to the standard controllers. People need to stop viewing the world in black and white. Just because a product is not perfect, does not mean it should not exist. View this as a beta test for potentially doing this with all their controllers in the future if that makes you feel any better.

*snip*

I have no love for MS. But why on Earth would you pick this thread to go on a rant about their business practices? Go write a letter to Satya Nadella instead. You have an infinite better chance to be heard that way. (0% vs 0.00001%)

 

[Chrispy_]

And it is still 1/3 more than nothing. This is by no means a perfect product and definetly greenwashing. But it still a more environmentally friendly product compared to the standard controllers.

Hell no, you are so wrong.

When your cheap rheostat-based analogue sticks die, Microsoft want you to throw away your gamepad and buy another one. Two gamepads, even with one-third recycled shell are more environmental impact than one gamepad that didn't need to be thrown away in the first place. Just use higher-quality hall-effect sensors that last 10x longer in the first place....

The environmental impact of reducing virgin plastics in the shell by 1/3rd is practically nil. The shell material itself isn't the most damaging part of production, and emissions/pollution created as part of recycling the plastics are comparable to those of creating virgin plastics. The ONLY benefit to the environment these greenwashed remix controllers bring is a reduction of about 40g of virgin plastic. That's less than one small single-serving coke bottle's worth of plastic to offset the entire environmental damage of consigning the first (worn out analogue-stick gamepad) to landfill and making a second entire controller from scratch and shipping it halfway around the world all over again.

If I can't convince you that this is a terrible, minimum-effort solution of pretending to be green, then I give up - I don't have the will to link hundreds of educational videos on the environmental cost of production of various components that go into a gamepad for you nor the history, lobbying, and political corruptuion of greenwashing. I also don't have the will to explain why RRR is better than disposable-goods capitalism. There's simply far too much to throw at you for it to stick. If you want to continue consumering in ignorance, that's your choice.

I'm not some eco warrior, I have tons of filthy tech at home and my career is in environmentally-damaging tech for the AEC industry which is the second highest polluting sector after transportation. What I am, is aware that companies will continue to lie and spin greenwashing as a way to misdirect attention away from their un-green practices and mask their multiple-orders-of-magnitudes ethical failures as manufacturers to reduce waste and environmental footprint.

People ought to demand more from large companies like Microsoft, if they want any substantial change. If this is all it takes to impress people, this is all we'll get from companies.

Nailed it.
That's why I said greenwashing at it's finest.

I don't know what the total environmental saving of this controller is compared to a regular one in terms of extraction of ores/crude oil to end product in the hands of a consumer is, but I would hazard a guess at between "too small to realistically measure" and 1%. From what I know about plastics recycling and my engineering masters, I would expect the overall carbon emissions of this controller to be worse. It does offset virgin plastics use but honestly that is such a tiny tiny part of the environmental cost of an XBOX controller that it's negligible down to decimal places of a single percent.

What it has managed to do is dupe people who aren't educated enough to think that "Microsoft Is Doing Good Things For The Environment Because They're An Eco-Friendly Company (TM)" Nothing could be further from the truth and if Multi-billion-dollar corporations aren't going to clean up their act, why the f*ck should the rest of us bother? I know that's the wrong attitude to take but that's sometimes what it feels like when you're trying to do you part for the environment!

 

[R-T-B]

That is because the vast majority of "green" announcements are nonsense at best and flat-out lies at worst. This controller is a perfect example. 1/3 recycled plastic in the shell alone? This is it? That is something to mention in promotion materials, not something to make a whole product line about. This is nothing more than a pathetically transparent attempt(failed) at improving on their dismal public image.

@ microsoft
You want to improve your public image?
1. STOP intruding on peoples rights to privacy.
2. STOP trying to tell people how to use their PC's by forcing the use of apps and programs you've created.
3. STOP pushing unfinished, poorly thought out crap(hardware AND software) to the public.
4. STOP forcing everyone to upgrade to new hardware just to use the current OS/software. It's vapid and transparent, it's also not your right.
5. STOP buying anything and everything under the Sun. You're too big for your trousers anyway.
6. Treat your customer base with ACTUAL respect instead of your twisted and warped idea of respect.
7. Always remember, we don't care about your claims of what your rights might be, our rights come FIRST and always will.
8. Trust is EARNED, not bestowed. You are a very long way from being what most would consider trustworthy. Do something about that and be snappy about it.
And last, but certainly NOT least,
9. STOP acting like cut-throat skivvy low-lives. This is the 2020's, not the 80's & 90's. Grow up and do better!

I get all that. This is a totally greenwashed product there is no denying it, I just find the negativity around ALL such announcements kind of weird.

But for this particular one: I just don't get how being only a "small bit green" still makes it worse than the standard line. I view a half-assed attempt as better than no attempt (though there are almost certainly better options around).

I would expect the overall carbon emissions of this controller to be worse.

That's an interesting claim, given the electronics you are complaining about are likely identical between the samples. Care to explain?

 

[Chrispy_]

I would expect the overall carbon emissions of this controller to be worse.

That's an interesting claim, given the electronics you are complaining about are likely identical between the samples. Care to explain?

Sure - recycling thermoset plastics is more energy-intensive than creating virgin plastics; It's that simple! Go watch some videos on why plastics recycling is so hard and expensive rather than take my word for it. You will have to sift away from the PET/disposable plastics that will flood search results - recycling those is truly less energy-intensive than creating plastics from scratch, but that's because they're soft thermoplastics that can be melted to some extent. Dealing with thermoset hard plastics as in a controller is a different category and different process altogether. Refining and processing of existing resins is what actually goes into XBOX pads, "Normal" XBOX pads already use PCR so the extra stages of colouring and sourcing even-less suitable PCRs for these greenwash pads is extra work, extra processing stages, each of which takes energy.

In the long run, energy is getting (environmentally) cheaper as we transition to renewables so trading higher energy use to recycle old plastic rather than saving energy to create virgin plastics is OBVIOUSLY the best thing to do, but with current Chinese manufacturing being primarily fossil-fuelled, the additional energy costs of using recycled plastics are easily worse in terms of emissions. Don't get me wrong, emissions are only a part of the whole picture, but we're talking China here, the coal-burning capital of the world.

Regardless of whether the emissions or plastics use differ significantly or not for this controller, it's such a pathetic, tiny, insignificant olive-branch of a move from such a huge, damaging, wealthy, morally-corrupt corporation. Microsoft aren't anywhere near as bad as Apple, but that doesn't make them environmentally responsible, not even a little bit. They're just less awful.

 

[R-T-B]

Genuinely, thanks for the explanation. It is appreciated.

 

[Chrispy_]

Oh god, I just read the OP more carefully. It's worse than I thought!

"Regrind is the process of mechanically recycling leftover Xbox One generation controller parts into a raw material"

What exactly is a "leftover" part in a product that is still current-gen? Microsoft still sell Xbox One controllers for PC. Are they taking unsold new stock and grinding it up, or are they working with partners to track down and buy faulty/worn XBO controllers from the used market? They scrapped their trade-in program years ago when they ditched Microsoft retail stores, and those had near-zero global coverage anyway. You'd think if they were reusing waste plastic they'd call it that - both for PR brownie points and SEO. They do seem to avoid using the word "waste", and perhaps I'm reading between the lines too much but chances are good that Microsoft had a whole bunch of surplus (new) Xbox One inventory and no real incentive to go and source old hardware at their own cost.

This is the stuff I hate most about marketing BS, especially when there's an ulterior motive (greenwashing) - the specifics are never detailed and there's zero accountability. You have to assume the worst, because on those few occasions when something is scrutinised by a governing body, your worst assumptions are usually proven true.

 

[TheoneandonlyMrK]

I get all that. This is a totally greenwashed product there is no denying it, I just find the negativity around ALL such announcements kind of weird.

But for this particular one: I just don't get how being only a "small bit green" still makes it worse than the standard line. I view a half-assed attempt as better than no attempt (though there are almost certainly better options around).


That's an interesting claim, given the electronics you are complaining about are likely identical between the samples. Care to explain?

He IS probably right though.

When it comes to plastics new moulds are a piece of cake very easy, and cost efficient hence the last 30 years of plastic is best packaging.

Now grinding up old plastic fine enough to reuse, adding a binder and working new special moulded to allow a denser fiber added filler.

It's easily more expensive, absolutely uses at least three times the energy and I'm definitely being kind there.

It's green washing hence the green colour and holier then others bs pr.

 

[sepheronx]

And used condoms for joysticks?

 

[Chrispy_]

He IS probably right though.

When it comes to plastics new moulds are a piece of cake very easy, and cost efficient hence the last 30 years of plastic is best packaging.

Now grinding up old plastic fine enough to reuse, adding a binder and working new special moulded to allow a denser fiber added filler.

It's easily more expensive, absolutely uses at least three times the energy and I'm definitely being kind there.

It's green washing hence the green colour and holier then others bs pr.

Unless Microsoft publish the exact manufacturing process and exact material composition it's hard to know for certain.
So, as a disclaimer, I am guessing.

There are definitely some energy savings from re-use of old plastics (specifically the polycarbonate used in controllers, not the easily-recylclable polyethylene/PET used in single-use bottles/cartons etc) but it's absolutely not an energy-free process and in the best-case scenario using European methods (Dutch and German), the energy savings are very small once you factor in the whole recycling chain and it requires quite a few nasty chemicals in quite large quantities per tonne of plastic recycled; Hydrogen Peroxide, made from energy-intensive electrolysis, nitric acid which involves vast amounts of ammonia, and the whole batch needs to be dissolved into ethanol - a fossil fuel.

That's how they recycle hard plastics somewhere responsible like Europe. Now try to imagine China doing it responsibly whilst keeping a straight face - This is the country that buys waste plastic "to recycle" from other countries, and for about 90% of it dumps it illegally, incinerates it, or buries it in the ground instead of doing anything good with it :\

 

[lexluthermiester]

I have no love for MS. But why on Earth would you pick this thread to go on a rant about their business practices?

You missed something. Let's review;

This is nothing more than a pathetically transparent attempt(failed) at improving on their dismal public image.

Yup, there it is, thus my continuing statement;

@ microsoft
You want to improve your public image?

So yeah, got it yet? Or do you need a slide-rule to line it up for you?

Sure - recycling thermoset plastics is more energy-intensive than creating virgin plastics; It's that simple! Go watch some videos on why plastics recycling is so hard and expensive rather than take my word for it. You will have to sift away from the PET/disposable plastics that will flood search results - recycling those is truly less energy-intensive than creating plastics from scratch, but that's because they're soft thermoplastics that can be melted to some extent. Dealing with thermoset hard plastics as in a controller is a different category and different process altogether. Refining and processing of existing resins is what actually goes into XBOX pads, "Normal" XBOX pads already use PCR so the extra stages of colouring and sourcing even-less suitable PCRs for these greenwash pads is extra work, extra processing stages, each of which takes energy.

In the long run, energy is getting (environmentally) cheaper as we transition to renewables so trading higher energy use to recycle old plastic rather than saving energy to create virgin plastics is OBVIOUSLY the best thing to do, but with current Chinese manufacturing being primarily fossil-fuelled, the additional energy costs of using recycled plastics are easily worse in terms of emissions. Don't get me wrong, emissions are only a part of the whole picture, but we're talking China here, the coal-burning capital of the world.

Regardless of whether the emissions or plastics use differ significantly or not for this controller, it's such a pathetic, tiny, insignificant olive-branch of a move from such a huge, damaging, wealthy, morally-corrupt corporation. Microsoft aren't anywhere near as bad as Apple, but that doesn't make them environmentally responsible, not even a little bit. They're just less awful.

This whole statement nails it!!

The effort made by microsoft here is pure tokenism.

I am guessing

Perhaps, but I know some of the chemistry involved and can confirm you're not far from reality if not spot on.