Disposing of an Airsoft Gun

The Dos and Don’ts of Airsoft Gun Disposal

Airsoft guns are enjoyable to play with. However, eventually, there will be a point where the airsoft gun either doesn’t work or has outlived its usefulness. So, how do you get rid of an airsoft gun? Well, there are a few different methods.

Most parts of an airsoft gun are recyclable. You can break the gun into plastic and metal pieces and bring it to your local recycling center. If it still works, you can resell it to someone as long as they meet the legal requirements in your area. Alternatively, you can save it for parts.

We will run you through some of the more popular ways to get rid of an airsoft gun.

Do Not Throw It In The Trash

Right away, we want to point out that an airsoft gun should never be placed in the trash. Nearly every single component found in an airsoft gun can be recycled.

Remember, if you throw an airsoft gun away in the trash, it will stay in a landfill forever. There are a couple of issues with this.

Firstly, putting items into landfills is a bad thing. We have limited space on this planet, and if we do not control the number of items we throw away, we will quickly run out of room for landfills. Many places have so little space available that they are shipping their waste elsewhere, sometimes overseas, which adds even more pollution.

Sure, some waste is burned instead of going into landfills, but this does nothing but send waste into the air. This contributes to global warming.

Secondly, an airsoft gun’s plastic and other components will leak chemicals into the surrounding soil. This causes issues with the water supply and the land. Neither is a good thing.

Disposing of Airsoft Guns

Recycling Airsoft Guns

Perhaps the best way to get rid of an old airsoft gun, mainly if it no longer works, is to recycle it.

Now, you won’t just be able to hand the airsoft gun to a recycling center and expect them to do something with it. Instead, you will need to do a little bit of preparation.

Most airsoft guns are made up of a combination of metal and plastic. These items are not recycled in the same way, and recycling facilities will not have the technology to separate them. It is up to you to break down the airsoft gun.

This should be pretty simple if you know your way around your airsoft fun. In most cases, you will have to do nothing more than undo a couple of screws.

Separate all of the components up. Have a box for metal and a box for your plastics. You can now recycle these separately.

Since metals and plastics are commonly recycled items, almost every recycling center can deal with them. These items are so often recycled that you will likely regularly have a collection from the side of the road. You will have to look at the refuse collection system for your town or city to determine exactly when you should be leaving your metals and plastics outside.

So, what happens when these plastics and metals are recycled? Well, surprisingly, the process for these is going to be precisely the same. Although, of course, they are not going to be recycled together.

Both products will start by being ground up into roughly even-sized pieces. These small pieces will then be heated to the melting point. Chemicals will be added to the molten mixture to help purify it. The process is completed by having the metal or plastic ‘set’ in molds. The recycled plastics and metals will then be sold to the factories that need them.

Sell It!

If the airsoft gun still works, why not sell it? There will almost certainly be people out there that are willing to take it off your hands.

It is essential to consider the laws in your state, though. Many states will prohibit the sales of airsoft guns to anybody under the age of 18. This includes private sales.

So, if you do not want the full force of the law to come down on you, make sure that you do an age check before you sell the airsoft gun. Well, at least if you are in any doubt about the age of the buyer.

Keep It For Parts

Surprisingly, a lot of airsoft gun parts are standardized. If you stick to the same manufacturer for your airsoft gun, then you will probably find that there will be a lot of overall between the components.

Many people that love their airsoft guns will never dispose of their old weapons. Instead, they keep them for spares. That way, you are putting your old airsoft gun to use. It will save you time and money if something goes wrong with your newer airsoft gun!

Can You Return the Airsoft Gun to the Manufacturer?

Probably not.

While we are sure that some airsoft gun manufacturers may allow you to return your old airsoft guns to them, it doesn’t seem to be standard practice. You could always ask, but any other methods we have mentioned will be better for you.

Can You Hand the Airsoft Gun to the Police?

With a traditional firearm, you can normally give them to a local police station to get rid of them. Airsoft guns aren’t firearms and probably aren’t be accepted by your police department.

Conclusion

There are several different ways that you can recycle your old airsoft gun. Remember, if you take it to a recycling center, you will want to ensure that you break down the airsoft gun into components first.

Other than that, the process should be straightforward. You only need to know that you should never be putting an airsoft gun into the trash. Nearly everything inside an airsoft gun can be recycled, so why not do your bit for the environment and ensure it is recycled?

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