Design Life-Cycle

Matthew Flores

924699254

DES0040A

2/19/2026

Raw Materials

The PS4 console is considered one of the best consoles to ever hit the market. Having over 117 million consoles sold and even more controllers sold, it is considered by many as Sony’s greatest console. The PS4 controller, or the DuelShock 4 was revealed to be the most successful controller in terms of dollar sales produced by the company by 2018. Although this number does not indicate that the controller is of good quality, many of the purchases can be attributed to the large demand for replacements when parts such as the internalized battery wear out. Due to the purposefully unknown process of replacing the internal battery of the Dualshock 4, many users opt to purchase a new controller. The production of the PS4 controller is a resource heavy process during the production and recycling process of the controller. The controller itself has little waste during its use and maintenance period due to its rechargeable internal batteries and durability of its parts making the resource demand smaller later into the life cycle.

The extraction of materials for creating the circuitry of the controller is a very energy heavy process that has many environmental impacts on areas where the extraction happens. The printed circuit board (PCB) of the Duelshock is extremely abundant in metals such as copper. The copper is extracted from mines in places like Chile and Peru, these two countries account for a large portion of the global production of copper. Sony gets their copper from a mining company called JX Nippon Mining & Metals Co. which is known for its stakes in mines primarily in Peru. The extraction of copper in countries like Peru pose a significant environmental threat to the country as the most unregulated mining operations cause significant pollution to the nearby populations such as arsenic making its way into the water supply. Another metal that’s found in the PCB is aluminum, which is mostly mined in areas like Australia and Brazil. Although the company Sony works with, Showa Aluminum, is known for obtaining their aluminum through recycling cans and processing trash as their primary source. The effects on the environment from mining bauxite ore are large, but the effects from the mining are not as significant due to who Sony chooses to partner with. Another material needed for the PCB is resin, the resin used inside the controller is hard to trace as there are countless types of resin that are made from many different methods. Although the most common type is Epoxy, which comes from epichlorohydrin (ECH) and bisphenol-A (BPA), two chemicals that are highly processed and manmade. Bisphenol is a more common plastic found in the linings of water bottles and other plastics. Epicholorhydrin is a more complex molecule that is processed through reacting substances like hydrogen chloride with glycerol to eventually get epichlorohydrin which is a more green process compared to other plastics as glycerol is a byproduct of making soap and biodiesel. The last significant resource used in the PCB is glass, which Sony gets from North Carolina The Spruce Pine mining district in North Carolina has received public scrutiny before over issues with potential waste dumping and hydrofluoric acid spills in 2018. Although this area is known for its very high quality quartz that's used in many major industries due to its very high purity.

The extraction of materials for creating the plastic and joysticks consumes large amounts of energy to create the desired material. The rubber material that covers the joysticks is made of silicone, a more environmentally friendly option to many plastics. Silicone comes from processing sand and heating it up to extremely high temperatures to get pure silicon by removing the silica in the sand. The pure silicon powder is then mixed with methyl chloride which is just methanol reacted with hydrogen chloride. The substance is then reacted with other substances like water and then distilled. Although lots of hydrogen chloride is used in this process which when in a gas form causes lots of pollution, this is safer and less damaging to the environment than the alternative petrol chemicals to plastic. Another material used for the controller is ABS plastic. ABS plastic is used on the outer shell and buttons and is an extremely common plastic in industry. To make ABS plastic, combining polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene produces Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene or ABS. Every single raw material needed to make ABS plastic comes from the refinement of petroleum as a byproduct or waste. This is extremely pollution heavy and causes significant damage to the environment it's produced in, refined in and extracted from.

The raw materials needed for transporting the PS4 controllers would be fossil fuels and the materials needed to produce a boat and truck as PS4 controllers are manufactured in east asia. The raw materials that go into transporting the controllers would be the boats, trucks, and the fuel they use to get to the stores they are being sold. Modern day cargo boats are mostly made from steel, fiberglass, aluminum, and wood. Steel is made from combining coal and iron while melting iron to create an alloy. To make fiberglass, silica needs to be melted to a liquid with materials like soda ash. The production of fiberglass has very hazardous byproducts that are released into the air such as styrene. To run these trucks and boats, petrol is required. Petrol has its own list of issues such as its extraction that causes major air pollution, the processing that also causes major air pollution, and its use that can cause both air and water pollution if not used properly.

There are little to no raw materials needed for the use phase of the PS4 controller but there are raw materials needed for recycling and disposal of the controller. To break down ABS plastic, highly concentrated solvents are needed. Solutions of acetone or Ethyl Acetate are commonly used to break down ABS plastic into a liquid for repurpose. Although, the repurposing that the ABS plastic can be used for is things like 3D printing or filament. Another common way to recycle ABS plastic is to melt it at around 270 degrees celsius. This process does not change the ABS chemically and has more limited uses compared to dissolving it in acetone. Another material that can be broken down is the silicone components. Silicone can be broken down chemically using methyl ethyl ketone, this can then be made into products like oil or industrial filler. Due to silicone being a thermoset material, it cannot be melted down as that would decompose the material. It can however be grounded up and shaped into new silicone molds.

The PS4 controller has an even distribution of raw materials demand with high costs to produce but lower raw resources needed later in its life cycle. Although the DuelShock 4 controller has known issues with its ability to last a long period of time, the raw resources needed for the controller after its production is relatively small. The resource heavy production of the DuelShock 4 comes with its own issues however, the large metal demand the controller creates continues to keep some rural villages in Peru in a constant state of worry for their water supplies and health. The material choice for the controller like ABS plastic can also be improved upon with a more biodegradable material.

Works Cited

Desroches, Louis-Benoit. “Video game console usage and US national energy consumption: Results from a field-metering study.” Springer, 2014, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12053-014-9308-0. Accessed 5 Feb 2026.

National energy consumption in the US measured with a sample of 12 people starting in 2012. Showing an estimated national average that is lower than what other studies claim.

Ignacio, Daniel. “Technical Description of PS4 Controllers.” CUNY Academic Commons, https://engineering.commons.gc.cuny.edu/technical-description/. Accessed 5 Feb 2026.

Description of every part inside the PS4 controller that walks through each function and what the part is called. Gives insight on what components needed to be more closely researched

Mahmood, Basharat H. “Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Video Games based on 2022 Market Data.” Diva Portal, 2022, https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2%3A1976660/FULLTEXT01.pdf? Accessed 5 Feb 2026.

In depth life cycle assessment of gaming devices including controllers. Also measured sustainability of many hand held devices including controllers and phones.

MCL. “How are PCBs Made?” Millennium Circuits Limited, 2025, https://www.mclpcb.com/blog/pcb-manufacturing-process/. Accessed 5 Feb 2026.

Process on how PCBs are manufactured and describe different types of PCBs such as double sided, layered, or rigid. Other details given are cleaning during the process and how checks are made on the PCBs.

Nembo, Tangwa. “NEW PLAYSTATION (PS3 & PS4) CONSOLES REFURBISHING PROCESS, GAMESTOP, LTD. GRAPEVINE, TEXAS.” MavMatrix, 2015, https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/honors_spring2015/6/. Accessed 5 Feb 2026.

This goes into recycling methods used by companies to refurbish items like disks and controllers. Companies like gamestop that are based in the US have an easier time doing this as they have relatively low shipping costs compared to companies with outsourced labor.

NextPCB. “An In-Depth Guide to PS4 Controller PCB: Understanding its Components and Functions.” NextPCB: Reliable Multilayer PCB Manufacturer, https://www.nextpcb.com/blog/diagram-of-ps4-controller. Accessed 5 Feb 2026.

Detailed overview of all parts of the PCB inside a PS4 controller. Including analog stick arrangements and the battery inside the controller.

Salameh, Maysa. “PCB Raw Materials Guide.” Fineline Global, https://www.fineline-global.com/knowledge-centre/pcb-raw-materials-guide/. Accessed 5 Feb 2026.

Guide to all raw materials used inside of a PCB. Goes over types of resin used and how each metal is used.

SIMTEC. “Silicone: A Guide to Production, Uses and Benefits - SIMTEC.” SIMTEC Silicone Parts, 11 December 2022, https://www.simtec-silicone.com/blogs/how-is-silicone-produced/. Accessed 5 Feb 2026.

Explains silicone rubber and its uses. Also goes over how silicone rubber is produced and silica. Also compares the differences between plastic and silicone rubber.

Sony. “Our products | Reducing the environmental impact of PlayStation products.” PlayStation, https://www.playstation.com/en-us/corporate/playstation-and-the-environment/our-products/. Accessed 5 February 2026.

Official PS4 website talking about environmental impacts they confess to making and their courses of action to reduce those specific footprints.

Sony. “PlayStation® & the environment | What we're doing to reduce our global impact.” PlayStation, https://www.playstation.com/en-us/corporate/playstation-and-the-environment/. Accessed 5 February 2026.

Official PS4 website discussing initiatives that Sony is a part of and participation in UN resolutions to reduce the carbon footprint caused by industry.

Andrea Lima Lorenzana

Professor Cogdell

DES 040A

2 March 2026

The PlayStation 4 Controller’s Life Cycle: Energy

      Both Sony—the company behind PlayStation, Sony cameras, headphones, and more—and the PlayStation console itself have garnered quite a large following since the first PlayStation’s release in 1994, becoming a household name. Popular with both kids and adults, each new console was met with anticipation and eagerness to see what was next. Changes in technological capacity and cosmetic design of the console are looked forward to by the fanbase, mainly. Sony Interactive Entertainment is the specific subsidiary of Sony that runs all PlayStation operations, managing their product’s life cycles. The PlayStation 4’s controller is more like a tool to the console itself, but still necessary nonetheless.  Because of this, it can be a common misconception that the controller doesn’t take a lot of energy—however, not all stages of the controller’s “life” cycle are being considered. Throughout the material acquisition; manufacturing, transportation, and distribution; use; and the recycling and disposal of the product, energy is present in every stage. Energy is needed to power machinery used in every stage, buildings (e.g. warehouses), and vehicles for transportation. The PlayStation 4 controller, being only an accessory to the PlayStation 4 console itself, uses up notably less energy in comparison; However, like most technology products, its creation, use, and disposal still consume plenty of energy throughout the entirety of its life cycle.

     Starting from the very beginning of the PlayStation 4 controller’s life, is material acquisition. Raw materials are collected and synthetic materials are made for the controller’s final product. Energy is present from the very beginning of the life cycle, when the materials themselves are acquired. This establishing step often goes overlooked, as people usually look at a product and think about what it goes through during its use and occasionally, disposal or recycling, not the multiple moving parts that are needed to even get the materials required. Large amounts of mechanical, electrical, and thermal energy are required at this step, even though it’s only the first. Being an electronic product, lots of machinery will be mentioned and used throughout its life cycle; At this stage, industrial machinery is used to extract and mine resources like copper, lithium, petroleum, etc. Sony has made it a point to try to be more sustainable throughout product life cycles—partnering with their material suppliers to save energy throughout this stage (Sony Global Environmental Plan), yet it is still a long way from being considered low levels of energy. Exact numbers are not public to measure the energy used at this stage, however it can be known that it is no small amount, with all the machinery needed to collect and then alter essential materials. This will later be covered in more detail, but transportation of, to, and from these materials also takes place during and/or between stages, contributing to the overall energy spent, with fossil fuels (chemical energy) powering that transportation. The previously mentioned synthetic materials would be the ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastics used to make the controller’s outer shell that encases the inner mechanics. The creation of this certain material is energy intensive, specifically thermal and chemical energy to not only make the material, but later form it into its final shape (de Naoum). 

     Once again, the manufacturing process involves a lot of machinery, and consequently lots of electricity. PCBs, or Printed Circuit Boards, are to be made and then put into the controller’s build. PCBs take up a great quantity of energy to make, as thermal, mechanical, radiant, and electric energy are used (Al-Barwani). The soldering of components of the PCB is what uses that thermal and radiant energy. Overall, the PCB’s creation and assembly take up a significant amount of energy throughout the manufacturing of the PlayStation 4 controller, due to many working parts needed for it. Another key energy intensive process required for the PlayStation 4 controller is the making of the rechargeable lithium battery that powers it; The estimated measure of energy it takes to make a lithium ion battery, according to public data from two big manufacturing facilities—plus modified findings from a previous study—is 50-65 kWh (Davidsson Kurland). This amount of electrical energy can really be put into perspective when compared to the (2025) average household’s daily average of about 30 kWh per household in the U.S (SolarTech). The previously mentioned ABS plastics have to be heated in order to then be injected into the molds for the controller’s shell, yet another use of thermal and electrical energy (de Naoum). The controller’s analog stick, light bar, battery, buttons, triggers, light bar, touch bar, cooling fan, and rumble motors are all also put into the shell, which uses—notably less than the previous steps—electrical energy due to machinery as well (NextPCB). Moving past this manufacturing stage, comes the transportation and distribution of the product. When distributed, the PlayStation 4 controllers are put into plastic trays and carton boxes with a see-through plastic front to display the product. Mechanical and electric energy are required to manufacture and fold the boxes holding the controller, and additionally thermal energy to heat the plastic casing and outer packaging as well, repeated for each individual controller to be packaged. Sony Interactive Entertainment uses both sea freight and rail freight to transport their products, as an attempt to reduce transport emissions, using fossil fuels, which are chemical energy (PlayStation). 

     After the product reaches the consumer—alongside the PlayStation 4 console—it uses up way less energy than the previous stages of its life cycle. The charging of the PlayStation 4 controller is done via a USB-C charger connected to the PlayStation 4 console and uses up around 4.5W (Eco Cost Savings) of electrical energy, and could normally last for up to 9 hours of gameplay (Lloyd). These 9 hours of usage could be optimized by cutting out features of the controller that take up more energy. These features are added to enhance gameplay and further immerse the player into the experience, but are still optional. The controller’s built-in speaker can be turned completely off; rumbling and controller vibration can be turned off and motors disabled; the light bar can be dimmed; and the controller can be set to automatically power off, all to save energy drained from these attributes (Lloyd). This is completely optional, but a good way to reduce energy usage if these features are already not being used too often. These measures optimize the controller’s battery life, requiring less frequent charging and therefore, energy usage.

     When it comes to the recycling and disposal of the PlayStation 4 controller, it can go many ways. People, often within families, can just pass them on to another family member for reuse if they no longer have a use for a working controller; People who are maybe unaware of the recycling options in place for electronics may just throw them out as junk; Others can take the controllers and consoles to be recycled. The junk route inevitably uses chemical energy in the fossil fuels used to transport the newfound “junk” to a landfill, where more electrical energy is used to run the place. Here, it is most likely that mechanical energy is used once again to compact the junk and later be kept at the landfill. If recycled, the energy used in transportation will of course remain the same, but more of the controller will eventually be made use of. A good example of the recycling process for electronics would come from Best Buy, a well known electronics and appliances store. They, partnered with contracted recyclers, provide a recycling program—for free when it comes to consoles, charging cables, and controllers—that are then inspected to determine if they can be “repaired, repurposed or recycled” (Best Buy).  After inspection, the controller would be dismantled and divided into what is waste and what can be reused. The program makes sure to properly dispose of e-waste and pass the usable materials on to enter a new product’s life cycle. Though there isn’t much information on the energy usage throughout this recycling process, it can be assumed that electrical and mechanical energy will still be used, alongside chemical energy when it comes to transporting the recyclables and waste. It can be argued that this energy usage may be justified when compared to other energy uses as it is being put to good use, reducing emissions and recycling viable parts of something once new. This recycling process is often (rightfully) praised due to the care for the environment, using energy to dispose of things the right way, instead of just throwing harmful and useful parts out. Whichever route of disposal the PlayStation 4 controller ends up going down, chemical energy will always be used for transportation, and electrical to run the facility that handles it in its disposal.

     Although the PlayStation 4 controller is definitely much smaller in size and power than the main console itself, it is still important to consider the energy needed to create such an important part of the gaming experience when it comes to the PlayStation 4. From its creation, to its  use, and finally, destruction, energy will always be present throughout the process. Acquiring the materials needed, manufacturing process, both transportation and distribution, consumer use, and lastly, the recycling or disposal of the product each have different levels and amounts of energy usage, all to make one controller for the customer. In the wake of this research, it seems to me that the three stages of material acquisition, manufacturing, and the end-of-life process–or recycling and disposal–take up the most energy of the PlayStation 4 controller’s life cycle.

Works Cited

“ABS Injection Molding: Definition, Applications, Process, and Techniques.”, de Naoum, Kat. Edited by Megan Conniff, Xometrys RSS, Xometry, 11 Sept. 2025, www.xometry.com/resources/injection-molding/abs-injection-molding/. 

     A detailed explanation of ABS injection molding and how it’s used. Different ways used are listed, alongside the advantages and disadvantages of this technology.

“An In-Depth Guide to PS4 Controller PCB: Understanding Its Components and Functions.” NextPCB, NEXTPCB, www.nextpcb.com/blog/diagram-of-ps4-controller. 

     Walks the reader through the PlayStation 4 Controller’s PCB (Printed Circuit Board). There’s (brief) coverage on other parts as well such as the analog sticks, battery holder, lightbar, rumble motors, touchpad, and more.

“Average Household Power Consumption: Complete 2025 Guide to Understanding Home Energy Usage.” SolarTech, 4 Aug. 2025, solartechonline.com/blog/average-household-power-consumption-guide-2025/#:~:text=your%20energy%20costs.-,Understanding%20Average%20Household%20Power%20Consumption,average:%2010%2C332%20kWh%20per%20household. 

     An analysis of power consumption in households in states across the U.S. Explains which appliances or sources may be taking up the most energy and possible geographic factors as well.

“DUALSHOCK 4 Wireless PS4 Controller.” PlayStation, www.playstation.com/en-us/accessories/dualshock-4-wireless-controller/. 

    Published by PlayStation, this source gives a customer friendly overview of what the PlayStation 4 controller is and does. Features like the light bar, motion sensors, and stereo headset jack are highlighted to appeal to customers.

“Electronics, Appliances and e-Waste Recycling at Best Buy.” BestBuy.Com, www.bestbuy.com/site/services/recycling/pcmcat149900050025.c?id=pcmcat149900050025. 

     Best Buy provides information as to what items can be brought in for their e-waste recycling program and what is done with them. This source helps to better understand the recycling process (and therefore energy expended) after an electronic product’s “life”.

“Energy Efficiency.” Efficient Gaming: Energy Efficiency, efficientgaming.info/efficiency/energy-efficiency#c5. 

     Under the “Legal” section of PlayStation’s Ecodesign website, this site covers energy use, power consumption and settings of big brands like Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Kilowatt rates are listed for consoles and information on how to conserve energy are linked too. This is an example of the context of the PlayStation 4 controller’s place in energy usage in comparison to the whole console.

“Environment: Road to Zero.” Sony Global Environmental Plan - Sony Group Portal, www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/csr/eco/RoadToZero/gm_en.html. 

This official Sony website talks about how Sony plans for the “Road to Zero”, aiming for a zero environmental footprint. The website talks about sustainable measures and what that looks like during product life cycles.

“How Game Controllers Are Made.” Tomorrow’s World Today®, 21 Dec. 2018, www.tomorrowsworldtoday.com/manufacturing/how-game-controllers-are-made/#google_vignette. 

    This source gives some insight to some of the basic inner workings of most controllers (with mentions to both Nintendo and PlayStation). Some notable explanations are that of the rumble feature in controllers–which is a big part of the PlayStation 4 controller–and the motor behind the feature. This, of course, uses energy that contributes to the controller’s overall usage. The explanation of the shell on the controller is helpful as well, using plastic molding to achieve the desired shape.

“How Many Watts Does a PS4 Use? Tests Reveal Actual Wattage & Costs By Mode.” L, 11 Feb. 2024, ecocostsavings.com/how-many-watts-does-a-ps4-use/#:~:text=PS4%20rest%20mode%20uses%200.00047,the%20controller%20is%20fully%20charged. 

     This article gives a breakdown of how much energy is used up by the PlayStation 4 console when in use. It also makes sure to mention the different modes of the console and then the additional energy spent if the controllers are plugged in and charging.

Lloyd, Craig. “How to Get Better PS4 Controller Battery Life.” Gotta Be Mobile, Gotta Be Mobile, 5 Oct. 2015, www.gottabemobile.com/how-to-get-better-ps4-controller-battery-life/#:~:text=Turn%20Off%20Vibration,and%20then%20uncheck%20the%20box. 

     A helpful guide to preserving the PlayStation 4 controller’s battery life when it comes to the controller’s additional features. The rumble, speakers, light bar, and automatic shut off are ways listed to help this issue. Overall, the article helps  to get a longer play time with the controller after a full charge.

Kurland Davidsson, Simon. “Energy Use for GWh-Scale Lithium-Ion Battery Production.” Environmental Research Communications, IOP Publishing, 14 Nov. 2019, iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2515-7620/ab5e1e#:~:text=Based%20on%20public%20data%20on,per%20kWh%20of%20battery%20capacity. 

     This article includes some estimates for energy usage when it comes to the manufacturing of Lithium Ion batteries using public data. Includes some history in the introduction followed by subsections divided by different factories/companies and their energy usage. Ends off with a comparison to previous studies and a plan and suggestions for the future.

Nembo, Tangwa. “New Playstation (PS3 & PS4) Consoles Refurbishing Process, GAMESTOP, Ltd.. Grapevine, Texas.” MavMatrix, mavmatrix.uta.edu/honors_spring2015/6/. 

     With the PlayStation 4 controller taking up only a few lines of this source, I find that although it doesn’t provide the bulk of the information surrounding my chosen area, it provides some context within the manufacturing/refurbishment process. The PlayStation 4 controller plays a much lesser role when compared to the entire console, taking less energy and time–connecting to this source’s brief mention of the controllers as an “accessory” when placed side-by-side with the PlayStation 4 console. Energy is expended in the controller’s manufacturing process (as always), which is still important, but diminished by the console’s “importance”

“New PS4 and Xbox One Game Consoles: A Mixed Bag for Energy Efficiency.” NRDC, 18 Dec. 2013, www.nrdc.org/bio/noah-horowitz/new-ps4-and-xbox-one-game-consoles-mixed-bag-energy-efficiency. 

     The NRDC, or the Natural Resources Defense Council, is an organization made up of members, environmental specialists, and more. This NRDC article talks about the energy measurements of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, which had both been released about a month earlier. Pros, cons, and answers to energy-related questions surrounding the systems are listed.

“Our Products: Reducing the Environmental Impact of PlayStation Products.” PlayStation, www.playstation.com/en-us/corporate/playstation-and-the-environment/our-products/. 

     Another official PlayStation website, this source covers energy efficiency, carbon footprint, resource efficiency, and hazardous substances in the PlayStation 4. Some solutions to reducing carbon impact and customer energy usage are an example of the source’s content. 

“PlayStation® & the Environment: What We’re Doing to Reduce Our Global Impact.” PlayStation, www.playstation.com/en-us/corporate/playstation-and-the-environment/.

     From PlayStation’s official website, this source gives a broad overview of what PlayStation has done and is doing for the environment when it comes to the PlayStation and related products. Subcategories within the site include information on the supply chain, energy, and recycling.

Al-Barwani , Nasih. “Printed Circuit Board - Design Life.” Design Life-Cycle, www.designlife-cycle.com/printed-circuit-board#:~:text=The%20metals%2C%20plastics%20and%20fossil,the%20by%2Dproducts%20and%20waste. 

     A previous student’s research paper of the energy needed to make a PCB. Walks the reader through the PCB’s life cycle and the energy used throughout the process.

Ignacio, Daniel. Technical Description - Writing for Engineering Portfolio - CUNY, engineering.commons.gc.cuny.edu/technical-description/. 

     Providing an in depth breakdown of the PlayStation 4 controller and its anatomy, this source gives a better understanding of what exactly goes into the PlayStation 4 controller. This can then lead into the breakdown of what else goes on when it comes to the acquisition, use, and discarding of those components.

Madoka Sugita 

March 13 2026

Des 040 A

Life Cycle Assessment of a PS4 cController; Waste

The gaming industry has been a huge success and has amassed massive popularity throughout the years through different forms of consoles, which includes the PS4 and its controllers. . While its popularity is definitely deserved considering the entertainment it provides, it’s also important to be mindful of its production analysis and waste emissions, as well as its proper recycling process. The PS4 controller is a structurally complex mechanism that goes through various processes during the manufacturing, distribution, and usage. Its life cycle produces an astounding amount of GHG emissions from plastic production each year as well as further consequences in the environment from degradation and waste when not refurbished properly. 

The PS4 controller is made up of different components, varying from its built-in two point capacitive touch pad, copper springs and wires, and aits 1000 mAh lithium-iron battery. (5) In this paper, I will assess the waste production from different stages of the life cycle of the PS4 controller, starting from the raw material acquisition. 15% of energy-related global GHG emissions are taken up by oil and gas operations that are used to fuel the production of primary plastic, the dominant material of the PS4 controller. (6) For the extraction of these fossil fuels in the form of coal, gas, it must undergo the procedures of drilling, fracking, mining, development, and extraction – a heavy process that has high levels of emissions from fuel combustion and CH4 leakages. For the production of crude oil, GHG emissions range from 7.3-13.3 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per megajoule. For natural gas production, these numbers rise up to 7.5 to 20 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent to megajoule. Finally, for coal production, about 0.2 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions are produced on average. Aside from direct emissions from the mining of fossil fuel, the extraction of materials for the actual PS4 controllers contribute to damages and waste as well. Copper, nickel, gold, lithium, and lead are one of the many other toxic elements that go into the production of the console, and the consequences of the extraction of these materials are nowhere close to being light. The extraction of these ores often release harmful chemicals like arsenic and mercury into the surrounding environment. (2) Furthermore these extractions are often conducted in developing tropical nations where problems like deforestation and pollution cannot easily be fixed. These numbers and problems only account for the emissions of the acquisition of raw materials. The statistics for the actual production of the product is even more staggering. 

The GHG emissions from plastic production in 2019 was about 2.24 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, which accounted for approximately  5.3% of the total global GHG emissions globally. 75% of these emissions from plastic production occur before steps of polymerization, with 26% generated during the monomer making process. Furthermore, 29% are generated from the refinement of hydrocarbons, 20% from the extraction of fossil fuels, and the remaining 25% from polymerization and product shaping stages. GHG emissions for individual polymers are estimated to continue growing from 2019-2049. Emissions are estimated to reach a staggering 4.75 gigatons of carbon dioxide by 2050 if it continues to grow at the rate of 2.5% a year. (6) Furthermore, waste produced from plastic shell encasings (10) in gaming electronics is often disproportionately dumped in lower income ethnic communities, and people who live in these areas are often forced to suffer health risks from the highly polluting petrochemical factories, being referred to as “Cancer Alley” in certain places. (2) After the production of the console is finished, it must also be transported and distributed to retailers and companies for profit. This process will also contribute to the waste emissions of the life cycle of PS4 controllers. 

Transportation and distribution of gaming products that significantly include PS4 consoles and controllers collectively account for 10-15% of the annual carbon footprint of major game studios. (7) The process of shipping, and selling digital game products has shown in continuous studies that it contributes a significant amount to the total carbon footprint. There are both digital and physical means of distributing PS4 games to the public, with a surprisingly low amount of difference in emissions between the two. For physical distribution, resource depletion of fossil fuels has been found to be 2.25989e+1 in MJ surplus, and the ecotoxicity has been measured to be 1.33788e+2 in units of CTUe. (3) The primary building and manufacturing of PS4 controllers take place in China but materials are gathered globally, the transportation of supplies as well as distribution of finished products add to the total greenhouse gas emissions. “Internet pollution”, the pollution emitted from the use of data usage from online games that PS4 games contribute to, have been found to account for 3.7% of global GHG emissions as well. (4) Unfortunately, the additive carbon footprint does not simply end at extraction of materials, production of the console, and distribution/shipping – it also extends to usage of the actual product through gaming as well.Overall, the estimated annual carbon footprint of the PS4 consoles from the 117 million sold – assuming 1 hour daily gameplay, is approximately 3.17 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent. (7) Local play on PS4 was shown to consume about 0.15 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per hour, compared to the embodied carbon of 80-100 kg for manufacturing. However, compared to other gaming consoles such as PCs, the power consumption and emission rates were found to be lower. Not much information is given on the waste produced from the reuse and maintenance of PS4 consoles, but circular business models (CBM) such as refurbishment for a second use are often designed for the intention of maximizing the console’s efficiency while also reducing waste, potentially showing potential environmental benefits of 12-57%. (9) As for maintenance and repairs, the motherboard of the controller is the key component to the function of gameplay, and regular inspections are needed to maintain its quality. However, since individual parts are not directly sold, third-party manufacturers are usually required for custom replacements of broken parts. (1) This typically results in the device simply being discarded rather than fixed after 5 to 10 years. After PS4 controllers are used, they are disposed of with the intention to recycle, but this comes with many difficulties.

Since consoles are replaced every 5 to 10 years on average, 50 million metric tons of e-waste is produced annually. PS4 controllers are notoriously hard to recycle as it has proven to be difficult to separate the metal inside from the plastic. Also due to the sealed unit composite construction of many game consoles, it has been made to be extremely hard to remove and purify the metals and minerals within the device. (2) Much of the e-waste ends up in landfills, and when discarded improperly, chemicals and toxic elements seep into underground water which jeopardizes the health of ecosystems as well as populations of wildlife and people nearby. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that these issues be addressed. For total waste emissions during recycling and disposal of general gaming consoles, approximately 23.2% of gaming consoles eventually reach the official ‘end of life’ stage, defined as the point where a device no longer has its use and enters the final treatment phase of formal recycling and disposal. Out of these proportions, 7.9% are handed back to recycling, and 2.6% are tossed. However, data has shown that 36% of defective gaming consoles are able to be repaired, showing a high repair rate with low defects of 19% before its after-use. (9)This data shows that gaming consoles, compared to other ICT devices like smartphones and laptops, hold more durability and potential for recyclability. Additionally, there are plenty of options for more sustainable and durable materials for the production of gaming consoles, such as Sulpac Luxe and Luxe Flex materials for the replacement of cosmetic and distributional packaging. The qualities of these materials specifically in replacement of ABS plastic (a large component of the PS4 controller) holds promising qualities – such as seamless integration into existing manufacturing processes, biobased content that reduces fossil fuel consumption, efficient recyclability, and comparable performance but with a lower carbon footprint. (8) 

In this paper I have covered the waste produced during all stages of the life cycle of the PS4 controller, ranging from the acquisition of raw materials and the recycling and disposal of it. Due to its popularity and demand, PS4 consoles and controllers require an abundance of production and distribution, which contributes significantly to GHG emissions – from extraction of materials, production, distribution, and usage. It produces staggering amounts of waste throughout its entire life cycle, and its total carbon footprint, as well as its environmental damages – call for the importance of being mindful of the power consumption and emissions, as well as better ways of management of broken/nonreusable console parts.

Bibliography: 

(1) “An In-Depth Guide to PS4 Controller PCB: Understanding Its Components and Functions.” Www.nextpcb.com, www.nextpcb.com/blog/diagram-of-ps4-controller.\

(2) Asher, Claire. “Playing Dangerously: The Environmental Impact of Video Gaming Consoles.”Mongabay Environmental News, 25 Oct. 2022, news.mongabay.com/2022/1 

(3) Buonocore, Cathryn E. “Comparative Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Digital and Physical Distribution of Video Games in the United States.” DASH, Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard, 2016. https://dash.harvard.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/7312037e-9faa-6bd4-e053-0100007fdf3b/content 

(4) Fletcher, Charlie. “Sustainability and the Video Gaming Industry.” Earth.org, 9 Jan. 2024, earth.org/sustainability-and-the-video-gaming-industry/.

(5) Ignacio, Daniel. “Technical Description – Writing for Engineering Portfolio.” Cuny.edu, 2016, engineering.commons.gc.cuny.edu/technical-description/.  

(6) Karali, Nihan, et al. “Climate Impact of Primary Plastic Production.” Escholarship.org, 12 Apr. 2024, escholarship.org/uc/item/12s624vf#page=60.  Accessed 6 Feb. 2026. 

(7) Mahmood, Hussain Basharat. “Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Video Games based on 2022 Market Data.” divaportal.org, 5 June, 2025. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2%3A1976660/FULLTEXT01.pdf?

(8) Nylanden, Noora. “Replacing ABS Plastic Sustainably.” Sulapac, 2 May 2024, www.sulapac.com/blog/replacing-abs-plastic-sustainably/.

(9) Proske, Marina. Morozov, Alexandra. Poppe, Erik. “Beyond Ownership: The Environmental Impact of Rent and Refurbishment of ICT devices” Fraunhofer-Insititute for Reliability and Microintegration. https://www.izm.fraunhofer.de/en/abteilungen/environmental_reliabilityengineering/projekte/undress-circularity.html?

(10) Wang, Rui-Yuan, et al. “Degradation Behavior and Aging Mechanisms of Silicone Rubber under Ultraviolet–Thermal–Humidity Coupling in Simulated Tropical Marine Atmospheric Environment.” Polymer, vol. 328, 25 Apr. 2025, p. 128398, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0032386125003842?,