## What Is the Quest 2 Worth Now?
The current trade-in value for a Quest 2 ranges from $60 to $150, depending on its condition and age. When it was released in 2020, the original price was $299 USD. The trade-in value drops significantly over time as newer models come out. For top dollar, your device should be in "like new" condition with no visible wear or damage. If it's just "good," you'll receive around 70-85% of its potential value, while a "fair" condition unit will fetch between 40-65%. Devices that are broken but still somewhat functional might net you 10-35%.
## How to Wipe Data Before Recycling the Quest 2
Wiping data is important before recycling or trading in your Quest 2. Follow these steps:
1. Remove any personal accounts and logins from the device.
2. Perform a [factory reset](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/how-to-factory-reset-any-device-before-trading-in) through the settings menu on the device.
3. Ensure you remove all removable storage media.
4. Visit Meta's website for model-specific instructions if necessary.
Wiping data ensures that none of your sensitive information can be accessed by unauthorized individuals, which is a legal and ethical requirement before recycling or trading in any electronic device.
## Where to Recycle or Trade In the Quest 2
Several options are available for recycling or trading in your Quest 2:
- **Brand Programme**: Although Meta doesn't offer an official trade-in programme, they do have [what is e-waste](https://ecyclingcentral.com/glossary/e-waste) recycling programmes.
- **Third-party Trade-In Services**: Platforms like [Decluttr](https://ecyclingcentral.com/recyclers/decluttr), [Back Market](https://ecyclingcentral.com/recyclers/back-market-refurbished), SellCell, Gazelle, and GameStop accept a wide range of devices, including the Quest 2. These services typically provide cash for your device.
- **Retailer Programmes**: Retailers such as Best Buy in the US, Currys in the UK, and JB Hi-Fi in Australia offer trade-in programmes that may give you store credit or cash.
- **Certified E-Waste Recyclers**: If there are no viable trade-in options, certified e-waste recyclers can handle your device responsibly.
These programmes vary on whether they provide cash or store credit for the Quest 2. For instance, third-party services like Decluttr and SellCell generally offer a mix of both based on the condition of the device.
## What Materials Are Recovered from the Quest 2?
The Quest 2 contains several recyclable materials: lithium batteries, copper wiring, plastic components, and aluminum frames. These materials have significant value post-recycling:
- **Lithium Batteries**: Used to power new devices or recycled for raw materials.
- **Copper Wiring**: Valuable in manufacturing electronics due to its conductivity.
- **Plastic Components**: Reprocessed into pellets used for various applications.
- **Aluminum Frames**: Highly recyclable and reused in construction, packaging, and other products.
The weight of a Quest 2 is approximately 503 grams, meaning there are substantial amounts of these materials within the device that can be recovered and repurposed.
## Environmental Impact of Recycling vs Landfill
Recycling electronic devices has a much lower environmental impact than disposing of them in landfills. For example, mining one tonne of gold from ore produces 18,000 tonnes of waste, whereas recovering gold from circuit boards is about 80 times more efficient. A single smartphone typically contains around $1-2 worth of recoverable precious metals. lithium batteries in landfill can cause fires and leach toxic materials into groundwater, making proper recycling important for environmental sustainability.
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Independent picks reviewed by eCycling Central's editorial team. Last checked: May 2026. Links are affiliate (we may earn a commission at no cost to you).
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## Quest 2: complete recycling + trade-in guide (2026-05-20)
### Trade-in vs recycle decision
Use this matrix to decide:
| Device condition | Best route | Typical net value |
|---|---|---|
| Working, 0-2 years old | Manufacturer trade-in or carrier upgrade | 35-65% of MSRP |
| Working, screen damaged but functional | eBay / Swappa / Music Magpie | 20-45% of MSRP |
| Working, 2-4 years old | Music Magpie / BackMarket buyback | 15-25% of MSRP |
| Working, 4-6 years old | Specialist refurbisher | 5-15% of MSRP |
| 6+ years old OR not working | Certified recycler (free) | $0 but avoided landfill fines |
Compare 7 buyback prices for Quest 2 in 30 seconds via our [Trade-In Best Price Finder](/tools/trade-in-best-price-finder).
### Data sanitisation steps
1. **Sign out of all cloud services** - Apple ID, Google account, Microsoft account, Samsung account. For Apple devices, removing iCloud lock is mandatory or the next owner can't activate.
2. **Factory reset via Settings menu**:
- iOS: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content
- Android: Settings → System → Reset → Factory data reset
- Windows: Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC → Remove everything
- macOS: Apple menu → System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset
3. **Verify the reset completed** - powered-on device should land on setup-from-scratch screen.
4. **For sensitive data**: factory reset alone is insufficient for SSDs (drive may retain recoverable data). Use a certified [ITAD](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/it-asset-disposition-itad-explained) provider with [NIST data sanitisation standard](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/nist-800-88-data-sanitisation-standards) Purge. See [Hard Drive Destruction Cost Calculator](/tools/hard-drive-destruction-cost-calculator).
### Recoverable materials
Smartphones + tablets like Quest 2 contain (per Apple environmental reports + iFixit teardowns):
- **Aluminium frame**: 1-3% mass recovered at certified processors
- **Copper wiring**: 60-80% recovery rate
- **Gold + silver in connectors**: 35-65% recovery
- **Lithium-ion battery**: must be separated stream (fire risk in mixed loads)
- **Rare earth magnets** in speakers + haptics: limited recovery economically
Total recoverable material value per smartphone-class device: $1.50-$4.20 at current commodity prices. Look up live value via our [Scrap Value Calculator](/tools/scrap-value-calculator).
### Manufacturer programs available
Most major device brands offer free recycling for their own devices:
- **[Apple Trade In](https://ecyclingcentral.com/recyclers/apple-trade-in-and-recycling)** - free shipping, in-store credit or gift card payout
- **Samsung Recycle Direct** - free mail-in, gift card payout
- **Google Pixel Trade-In** - free mail-in, instant credit
- **Microsoft Trade-In** - via authorised partners, gift card payout
- **Dell Reconnect** (US) - free in-store via Goodwill partnership
- **HP Planet Partners** - free mail-in label
For full verified list per device brand: [Manufacturer Take-Back Finder](/tools/manufacturer-takeback-finder).
### Compliance + penalties
Personal data on a disposed device that isn't properly sanitised exposes the original owner to GDPR / state privacy law liability:
- **UK GDPR + EU GDPR Art 32**: appropriate technical + organisational measures - penalties up to £17.5M / €20M or 4% global turnover
- **US state laws** (CCPA, NY SHIELD Act, CO CDPA): per-incident penalties $2,500-$7,500
- **HIPAA** (US healthcare): per-incident penalties $137-$68,928 + per-record $137-$2,134
For any data-bearing device, request a Certificate of Destruction or use a free template via [GDPR Data Erasure Certificate Generator](/tools/gdpr-erasure-certificate-generator).
### Frequently asked questions
**Can I sell Quest 2 if it's still on the carrier blocklist?**
No - blocked devices have negligible resale value and reputable buyback services reject them. Contact the original carrier to remove the block first (verify with original purchase records). If blocked due to non-payment, settle the account before listing.
**What about devices with broken screens but working internals?**
Refurbishers like Music Magpie + BackMarket pay 40-60% of working-condition value for broken-screen devices. Worth listing - the screen swap costs them $30-$80 wholesale.
**Should I remove the battery before recycling?**
No - certified recyclers want intact devices. Manual battery removal risks puncture + lithium-ion fire. Loose batteries also need separate hazmat shipping stream.
### Related tools + guides
- [Trade-In Best Price Finder](/tools/trade-in-best-price-finder) - compare 7 buyback services
- [Manufacturer Take-Back Finder](/tools/manufacturer-takeback-finder) - direct-to-brand programmes
- [Scrap Value Calculator](/tools/scrap-value-calculator) - live commodity-price recovery estimate
- [Hard Drive Destruction Cost Calculator](/tools/hard-drive-destruction-cost-calculator) - for data-sensitive devices
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*Device data verified against manufacturer environmental reports + iFixit repairability database + current commodity prices as of 2026-05-20. Operated by Defining Style Limited (UK Companies House 10572391, ICO Registration ZA711914).*
