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Microsoft just announced a new Xbox wireless controller that is not only stylish but also environmentally friendly. The Xbox Remix Special Edition wireless controller is made from recycled materials sourced from discarded gamepads, CDs, and automotive headlight covers, among other sources. The move is part of Microsoft’s efforts to promote sustainable manufacturing and reduce electronic waste.
While the controller does not offer any new features, it is a bold move by Microsoft to raise awareness about sustainable manufacturing. The company says one-third of each gamepad is made from post-consumer recycled resins and regrind materials. The resins are sourced from materials like plastic water jugs and CDs, while the regrind comes from leftover Xbox One controller parts that are recycled into new material.
The combination of recycled resins with regrind creates unique, earth-tone colors with subtle variations, swirling, markings, and texturing that give each Remix Special Edition controller its own look and feel. The controller also has a topographic texture pattern on its bumpers, triggers, and side grip areas, which nods to the Earth’s dynamic landscape. Finally, the green hues on its front case, D-pad, and Xbox button were inspired by lichen, a composite organism found in the Pacific Northwest.
To make the controller more environmentally friendly, Microsoft bundles an Xbox Rechargeable Battery Pack with each special-edition gamepad (worth $24.99). It’s a welcome addition that ensures that users don’t need to resort to disposable AA batteries that end up in landfills.
The Xbox Remix Special Edition controller costs $84.99, the same price as a standard Xbox wireless gamepad with a rechargeable battery pack. It is available for pre-order and will launch on April 18th, four days before Earth Day.
It’s easy to be cynical about companies that virtue-signal with Earth Day products that most people won’t buy. However, Microsoft deserves credit for making a positive contribution towards sustainable manufacturing. The company has set ambitious goals of being carbon-negative, water-positive, and zero-waste by 2030, and it is also improving its consoles’ Energy Saver sleep mode.
The Xbox Remix Special Edition wireless controller is a bold move by Microsoft to promote sustainable manufacturing. The use of recycled materials and the inclusion of a rechargeable battery pack make it an eco-friendly option for gamers who want to vote with their wallets for environmentally friendly products. It’s a step in the right direction towards reducing electronic waste and promoting sustainable manufacturing practices.
