Electronic recycling is a tricky business, which is why you should start upcycling any and all cartridges from old printers and video games. If you have no idea what you'd make out of an old 'Russians Attack' cartridge, you need to check out all of these upcycled cartridge creations.
This Top List contains nothing but innovative uses for old printer and video game cartridges. All you need is a little know-how to turn an old Mario cartridge into a brand new USB flash drive or harmonica. Help out Mother Nature and geekify your home at the same time with an ink cartridge chandelier. Keep your old games and printer ink out of landfills and embrace your creative side at the same time by checking out all of these upcycled cartridge creations.
12 Upcycled Cartridge Creations
12
Iconic Catridge Art
Faith Pearson Recreates Pop Culture Moments with Printer Cartridges
11
Recycled Cartridge Chandeliers
The Upcycled Lowell and Louise Ink Cartridge Lamps
10
Mario Music Makers
The Nintendo Harmonica is the Best Thing Since Duck Hunt
9
Upcycled Gamer Cartridges
Transformed NES Hard Drives are a Geeky Pleasure
8
Nintendo-Inspired Night Lights
The 'Duck Hunt' Lamp Will Zap Monsters Under the Bed
7
Personified Retro Toys
Squid Kids Ink's 'So Analog' Collection is for the Geeky Gamer
6
64-Bit Gaming USBs
The N64 Cartridge USB Hub Pumps Up Your USB Ports with Paper Mario
5
Reincarnated Game Systems
The NES Cartridge-Playing Cartridge is a Unique DIY
4
DIY Ink Lights
Used Printer Cartridges Creates Colourful Lamps
3
Nintendo Hard Drives
The NES External Hard Drive is for Hardcore Fanboys
2
Video Game Alarms
Can't Afford em Crafts Designs Recycled Gaming Cartridge Clocks
1
Portable Gaming USBs
The Game Boy Advance USB Takes Gamers Back to a Simpler Time
Related Ideas
Ultra-Slim Handheld Gaming Consoles
The 'GamerCard' is Powered by a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W
Cyberpunk DJ Console Concepts
The Image Creates the MIDI Controller Concept
Sleek Retro Console Remakes
Retro Games Ltd. Announced 'THEC64 Mini' Commodore 64 Remake
Portable Wireless Lamps
Gantri Wireless Has Ten Original Designs in Collaboration with Ammunition
Cartridge-Ready Pocket Consoles
HyperMegaTech Super Pocket Rare Edition Launches
Retro Gaming Handhelds
Evercade Nexus Brings Physical Cartridges Back to Portable Gaming
Retro Gaming Chargers
The Mobile BOY Power Bank Merges Portable Energy with Classic Handheld Games
Half-Ball Game Controllers
Control PlusArc Replaces Joysticks with a Half-Ball Input System
Dishwasher Puzzle Games
Ecover's Tetris: Fully Loaded Challenges Players to Stack Efficiently
E-Waste Portable Game Systems
The Steam Deck Motherboard Case Concept is Screen-Free
Game-Ready Fry Holders
GamiFries Lets Gamers Attach a Snack to Handheld Controllers
Pocket-Sized Fidget Toy
Slider-Gamemackey Combines Retro Gaming Buttons with Fidget Puzzle Action
Pocket Gaming Power Hubs
The Powerboy 2-In-1 Retro Gaming Console Plays Games and Charges
Bright Edition Consoles
Analogue Releases the 3d Prototype Consoles Inspired by Nintendo 64 Colors
Backward-Boost Gaming Systems
Nintendo’s Switch 2 Update Introduces a Handheld Boost Mode
Wearable Gaming Computers
Pip-Boy 3000 Replica from Bethesda Includes Screen & Radiation Detector
Portable Game Console Chargers
The Belkin Charging Case Pro Keeps Consoles Charged on Long Trips
Connected Display Smartphone Cases
The REETLE SmartInk I Transforms Smartphone Productivity
Split Cartridge Controllers
The Clicon Controller Splits Apart to Reveal a Built-In Cartridge Slot
80s-Inspired E-Ink Gaming Consoles
The 'Ink Console' Offers a Series of Text-Driven Adventures
Nostalgic 90s-Inspired Gaming Consoles
Analogue 3D Funtastic Consoles Come in a Rainbow of Colors
Modern Physical Digital Players
The Conceptual A Cartridge-Based Audio Player Ensa
Retro Handheld Consoles
Modretro Chromatic Revives a Console with New Materials and Cartridge Play
Plastic Bottle Recycling Tools
The 'BottleLoom' Bottle Strip Cutter Transforms Plastic Waste
Electric Ink Color-Changing Guitars
E Ink and Cream Guitars Dream Up the Voltage DaVinci
Cylindrical 3d Lamps
QUQU's Nishiki Lamp Shifts Internal Patterns Using Layered Printing
Nostalgic Gaming Devices
The Playdate Handheld Console Reimagines Retro Gameplay with Modernity
Retro Game Watches
Pokémon Gold Wrist Build Recreates the Classic Game on Custom Hardware
Futuristic Imaginative Design Concepts
Toyota Introduces the Unique E-Collection of Products
Retro TV Pet Houses
CRT Pet House by Burnski Recreates a Vintage Television Form using 3D Printing
Browser Game Platforms
RetroGames Lets Users Play Classic Console Games Online Instantly
Industrial Video Game Controllers
The Conceptual Nothing Gamepad (1) by Anurag Sarda is Ergonomic
3D-Printed Wooden Furniture Series
A Team of Designers Created Projects with EconitWood
Infinitely Expandable Light Fixtures
Rarify and Gantri Join on the Cube One Table Lamp
3D-Printable Packaging Pastes
Engineers from University of Washington Developed a Printable Paste
Playful Home Purifiers
The WOOP Air Purifier Brings Gaming Nostalgia into Functional Home Design
Modular Recycled Power Strips
The bFRIENDS Power Module is a 3d-Printed Recycled Charging System
Sustainable Plastic Power Banks
The 'Fleck' Power Bank Concept by Ujwal I.K. is Stylish
Technologically Enhanced Electronic Handbags
Nik Bentel Studio Debuts the Speaker Bag & Mixer Bag
Minimalist CD Player Peripherals
The TINYL 'COVER' Gives the Humble CD Player a Modern Overhaul
Sustainable Paper Cosmetic Packaging
The Arcade Beauty Paper Packette is Made with 80% Paper
Industrial Translucent Gaming Controllers
This Sony Game Controller Concept is Futuristic
Biological Material Game Controllers
A Team of Designers Dream up the BioHybrid Device Controller
Object-Resembling USB Drives
Sandisk Whimsical USB-C Drives Turn Storage into Playful Accessories
In-Car Gaming Experiences
Atari and AirConsole are Partnering to Bring Games to Volkswagens
Pocket-Sized Handheld Printers
The Inkwon Tag is Versatile and Convenient for Creatives
Ultraviolet Food Storage Gadgets
EcoLoc Uses UVC Light To Extend Everyday Fridge Freshness
Cigarette Waste Hats
Olivia Gino Turned an Abundant Source of Litter into a Shearling-Style Hat
Nostalgic Compact Clear Cassettes
The Retrospekt CP-81 Reintroduces Tape Culture with Modern Style
3D-Printed Fidget Toys
Jigglets are Produced with Less Waste Than Traditional Toys
Wine Upcycling Projects
Rewine by Buvons Nature Turns Its Leftovers into Food
Accessible Atmospheric Water Dispensers
The 'Water from Air' Dispenser Concept is 3D-Printed
Charming Retro Storage
This Floppy Disk Inspired SD Card Concept Brings Forth Vintage Style
Sun-Powered Plastic Recycling
Photocatalysts transform discarded plastic into clean fuel sources
E-Waste-Reducing USB Keys
Back Market & Google are Making Compatible Older Laptops Relevant Again
Textile Recycling Devices
The ByBye Converts Discarded Clothing into Rigid Flower Pots
Multipurpose Metallic Spray Bottles
The 'NUBE' Spray Bottle Concept is Stylish and Refillable
Vintage Imaging Kits
PGYTECH RetroVa Turns iPhones into Vintage Photo Systems
Complimentary Plastic PC Cases
The Teenage Engineering Computer–2 is Available for Free
Retro Plug-and-Play Games
Fizz Creations' Wireless Plug-and-Play Systems Appeal to Kidult Gamers
Modular Gaming Controllers
HyperX Introduces Swappable Controls and Custom Gaming Parts
Chromatic E-Ink Picture Frames
The Reflection Frame from Creative Design Worx is Customizable
Retro Audio Cabinets
Arcade Game-Shaped Cabinet by Love Hultén Plays Vinyl and Cassette Tapes
Pocket Printing Devices
INKWON Tag 4-in-1 Pocket Printer creates tattoos, stickers, and photos
Sculptural Modern Turntable Concepts
Amuni Studio Creates the Hybrid Turntable Concept
Vibrant Retro Handheld Gaming
Retroid Designs the Pocket Classic Gaming Device
3D Printing Inks
Universities of Heidelberg and Stuttgart Introduced a Conductive DLP
Dual-Head UV Printers
The Longer ePrint is Compatible with More Than 300 Materials
3d-Printed Rubble Furniture
Inorganic Growth by Bentu Design Transforms Demolished Urban Villages
Camping Cutlery Tools
Mario Tsai Designs a Chopstick Maker Inspired by Pencil Sharpeners
Celebratory Stacking Game Consoles
The Tetris Forever Handheld Video Game Console Marks 40 Years
Utensil Waste Lighting
Fold Oslo Nytt Lys Capsule Shows How Light Can Emerge from Old Materials
Compact Key-Fob Consoles
The Playfob Reimagines Car Access as an Adorable Handheld Gaming
Retro Cartridge Jukebox
Pokémon Red & Blue Game Music Collection: Game Boy Jukebox Revives 8-Bits
Retro-Inspired Handheld Game Consoles
Sara Ourani Designs the SUP Game Box 400 Console
Gaming Star Toppers
The Super Mario Invincibility Star Tree Topper Adds a Lighted Gaming Icon
Mobile Retro-Inspired Consoles
The Atari Gamestation Go Plays Classics in a Portable Format
Sharable Digital Video Games
The Nintendo Switch Virtual Game Card Allows for Sharing
Paper-Made Dissolvable E-Waste
Franziska Kerber Designs a New Source of Sustainable Electronic
Recyclable Resin Beauty Compacts
SUQQU's Powder Compact Uses Eastman Cristal One Copolyester
Collaborative Upcycled Collections
Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Works with Toyota for Upcycled Goods
Upcycled Glass Table Lamps
Upglas Lamp by Luca Nichetto for Astep Uses Recycled Murano Glass
Open Platform Printers
The Open Printer Platform Hands Makers Full Control Over Inkjet Experience
Origami-Inspired Floor Lamps
The Ori Lamp Folds 1 Metal Sheet into Elegant Sustainable Lighting
Ai-Fueled Sticker Makers
The Stickerbox Converts Spoken Ideas into Printed Stickers for Children
Reprogrammable Surface Printing Devices
MIT ChromoLCD Turns Surfaces Into Rewritable Canvases
Upcycled Fruit Chews
Climate Candy Turns Unharvested Imperfect Produce into Sweet Treats
Clutter-Free Car Charger Hubs
The Belkin BoostCharge Retractable Car Charger Pumps Out 75W
Magnetic Charging Lamps
The SPOT ON Charger Blends Wireless Power and Ambient Light
Digital Film-Roll Conversion Kits
Yanko Design Features I’m Back Roll by Samuel Mello Medeiros
Brick Toy Revivals
LEGO’s new Game Boy set includes Mario & Zelda-inspired cartridges
Sculptural Glass Lighting
Luca Nichetto Presents the Upglas Collection Reusing Murano Glass
Compact Flashlight Design Concepts
The Fl-1 Flashlight Concept Has an Industrial Look
Recycled Guitar Prototypes
This Cardboard Guitar Challenges Traditional Instrument Design
Recycled Desk Trays
Tray210 is a Circular Organizer Made from Multiple Recycled Plastic Blends
Soundtrack-Integrated Print Media
Radioposter Merged Audio Storytelling with Physical Books &Zines
Sporty Wall-Mounted Lamps
This 3d-Printed Lamp Transforms a Baseball Motif into Wall Lighting
Nostalgic Timeless Click Devices
This 3D-Printed iPod Classic Fidget Toy Revives Tactile Memory
Glow-in-the-Dark Device Skins
Ddbrand Circuit Board Skins Share a Realistic 3D-Printed Pattern
Organized Maintenance Workspace Trays
Practical3DP Designs the Hobby Maintenance Tray
Next-Gen Console Customizations
eXtremeRate Unveiled Solutions for the ' Nintendo Switch 2'
Organic Paper-Like Lamps
The Farolito Lamp Captures Paper Lantern Warmth Through 3d Printing
Household Recycling Pickup Services
The Modern Milkman Collections Service is for Toys and E-Waste
Adorable Mini Instant Cameras
The Retro Digital Toy Camera Brings Tiny Photo Capture to Keychains
Retro Software DIY Handhelds
DIY Retro Windows 98 Handheld Computer is Old-school Inside and Out
Compostable Sauce Containers
Holy Carp! Packaging Offers an Alternative for Soy Sauce Dispensers
UV Tech Storage Lids
The SmartLid Uses UV light to Keep Stored Food Fresh Longer
Repair-Friendly School Chairs
The Carrousel Chair Allows 3d Print Wearable Parts for Maintenance
Real-Circuit Board Games
Reactor Rescue Uses Functional Electronics in Gameplay
Miniature Dice Computers
The Console’88 Stores a Full Dice Set in a Retro Computer-Shaped Vessel
Interactive Pocket Torches
The LOOPDOT Flashlight Adds Gaming Features to a Compact Everyday Light
Portable Album Players
The ENSA P1 Portable Audio Player Uses Physical Music Cartridges
Bright Upcycled Chess Tables
The Upcycled Gambit by reEDIT Uses Bamboo and Tea Waste
Rechargeable Security Scanners
Garrett’s Guide Adds USB-C Charging and Extended Battery Life
Playable Gaming Archives
The Internet Archive Preserves 758 Retro PC Demo Discs
Retro Nostalgic Computing Revivals
Ultimate 64 Revives Iconic C64 with Modern Updates
Revived Game Cartridges
Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition Returns a Classic to the Chromatic
Walnut News Printers
The Paper Console PC-1 Prints Curated Content on Demand
Sustainable Side Furniture
The Re Up Side Tables Crafted with Recycled Plastic and Wood
Manual Braille Label Makers
Sakshar Braille Embosser Labels Medicine and Food Without Power
Wireless Charging Sanitisers
The Picnic UV Charger Fuses Phone Charging with Sanitisation
Narrative Retro Revivals
Truxton Extreme Adds Comic Storytelling to a Classic Arcade Game
Sustainable Hand-Crafted Keyboards
This Working Synth is Crafted from Cardboard and Walnut Keys
Disc Preservation Systems
CD Box RS2 Tube is a Standalone CD Recovery and Playback System
Recycled Lighting Designs
The Nytt Lys Collection Presents Lighting Made from Reclaimed Materials
Diy Battery Chargers
Regenbox 1 Revives Aa Batteries Using a Wooden Diy Charging System
Joystick Whiskey Decanters
The Atari Joystick Decanter Set Blends Retro Gaming with Nostalgia
Upcycled AI Speaker Concepts
Xiaomi Mi 8 Retrofit Runs Gemini Ai Inside Retro TV Shell
Desk Storage Lamps
The Drop Light by Teixeira Design Studio is 3D printed from Recycled PLA
Nostalgic 3D-Printed Arcade Clocks
3DProSkillsCreations Creates the Adorable Arcade Clock
Analog Nostalgia Installations
Back to Basics II Celebrates Retro Tech with Vivid Paper Sculptures
Adaptable 3D Printing Resins
This 3D-Printing Resin Has a Light-Activated Composition
Glow‑In‑Dark Tech Skins
Circuit Board Device Skins Bring Forth a Sci‑fi Glow and Tactile Texture
Stylized Cel-Shaded Shooting Games
Mycopunk is a Co-operative Easy-to-Learn Extraction Shooter
Water Purifier Devices
The LADIS Lamp DISinfection System Provides Portable Clean Water Anywhere
Gaming Accessory Lines
SUPCASE, MUMBA, and i-Blason Debut Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories
Archival Game-Honoring Books
Sony’s 30th Anniversary Book Uncovers Unseen Prototypes and Designs
Ceramic Waste Carafes
Sungai Carafe Transforms Bali’s River Waste into Restorative Pottery
Mailbox-Shaped Scanner Printers
Dohui Kim Designs the Nostalgic tou Device Concept
Printed Circuit Sconces
The Printed Circuit Sconce Turns Exposed Electronics into a Sculpture