The Mystery of Recycling: VAPE and VAPE Products

When electronic cigarettes, or vapes, hit the market in 2007, they were initially seen as 1) a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes, and 2) a potential stepping stone to quitting smoking altogether. I did. Unfortunately, vaping has been proven to have many negative effects. health risks.

Vaping has increased dramatically since its introduction over a decade ago. The CDC reports: More than 25% of high school students Their report also states that more than 17 million e-cigarettes were sold in retail stores in 2020. Over four weeks — Including marijuana e-cigarettes. This amounts to hundreds of millions of e-cigarette products being added to the waste stream each year.

Some originally thought e-cigarettes would benefit the environment because people would no longer be throwing cigarette butts on the ground. However, e-cigarettes pose their own environmental problems, including increased toxic chemicals, plastics, and e-waste. Recent concerns have focused on the UKNine out of 10 e-cigarette manufacturers intentionally circumvent disposal restrictions by redesigning their products to be more “reusable” and less recyclable.

Components of VAPE

Most vape products include:

• • Cartridge for e-liquid
  • E-liquids containing propylene glycol, flavoring, nicotine or THC
  • Atomizer that heats liquid
  • microprocessor
  • Rechargeable battery (usually lithium ion)
  • sensor

• LED light
• A mouthpiece that activates the device when the user inhales

All these components combined complicate safe disposal.

Mixed materials mean recycling problems

VAPEs are made from a combination of different materials, usually a combination of glass, metal, and plastic. This combination makes it difficult to isolate a single recyclable material. For this reason alone, vape products are not accepted for in-store recycling.

What’s in that E-liquid?

E-cigarette liquid contains nicotine and many other substances. Other chemicals. Marijuana e-cigarettes contain sticky THC oil, which makes recycling nearly impossible. The chemicals found in e-liquid ingredients vary widely between manufacturers, and there is a lack of regulation of these ingredients.

The EPA considers nicotine to be: acute hazardous waste. Nicotine can be toxic to children, pets, and wildlife. When disposed of in the garbage, nicotine can contaminate water systems. Do not throw e-liquid into the trash, recycling bin, or pour it down the drain.

E-cigarettes and e-waste

The electronics in vaping also pose recycling issues. In theory, electronic components could be separated and taken to a facility that accepts electronic waste. However, these small devices contain electronic components such as coils and sensors mixed with plastic or glass. Separating them for recycling is difficult and sometimes impossible. There is also the risk of spilling e-liquid when disassembling your vape.

Lithium-ion batteries are an even bigger problem. they are Classified as hazardous waste And it needs to be handled properly. Under certain conditions, lithium-ion batteries can catch fire or explode. Improper disposal of fabrics can cause harm to consumers and hygiene workers.

Confusion about e-cigarette disposal

As with many difficult-to-recycle products, there is little guidance from manufacturers or governments on how to dispose of e-cigarette products responsibly.

Understandably, people who use vaping products are very confused about proper disposal. truth initiative A group of 15- to 24-year-olds were asked how they disposed of e-cigarette products. More than 50% of respondents said they throw their empty vapes in the trash or in-store recycling. The majority cited lack of clarity and convenience as barriers to proper disposal.

recycling options

There aren’t many options for recycling vapes. Some sellers of electronic cigarette products offer free Product in exchange For vapes or cartridges returned for recycling. sauceFor example, e-cigarette product companies offer return boxes to cannabis dispensaries. HEETS, VEEV, and VEEBA e-cig products can be recycled through our free program Operated by TerraCycle.

Another option, at least for submitting e-cigarettes, is through the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). DEA hosts prescription drug take-back events to prevent prescription drug abuse. In 2020 they Added VAPE and cartridges on the list of materials they accept. Lithium-ion batteries are not accepted under this program.

of VAPE waste projectis an independent, non-profit initiative to disseminate research that supports collection bins, recycling, and the design of e-cigarette products for efficient recycling, and works to provide: 10 cents credit for vape users A person who sends used pens for recycling.

Search Earth911’s recycling database to find a lithium-ion battery recycling location near you by simply entering your postal code.

FDA Advice on Vaping Disposal

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declared that e-cigarette waste and e-liquid waste should be treated as household hazardous waste (HHW), while the Environmental Protection Agency VAPE products are exempt From the Household Hazardous Waste Guidelines. The FDA provides the following guidance:

• Check with your state and local resources for information on regulations and hazardous waste collection locations.
• Used vapes should be sealed and stored for no more than 90 days before being disposed of.
• Do not wash the e-liquid from the cartridge. pollute the water.
• Avoid contact with your skin as e-liquids can be toxic.
• Nicotine can be toxic, so keep e-cigarettes out of reach of children and pets.

Find a HHW disposal location near you.

Use your voice to request a solution

Ultimately, consumers are responsible for properly disposing of e-cigarettes. What can you do? If your favorite brand doesn’t offer a take-back program for recycling used vaping products, ask the company to do so. Also, start a petition or Contact your city and state representatives And tell them you support Expanded Producer Responsibility Acts that require manufacturers to help recycle the products they make at the end of their useful lives. Your voice could help make a difference.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on July 15, 2021 and updated in December 2024. Have questions about how to recycle a specific product or type of material? Let us know. Conduct research and share your results with the world. you can please support our workToo!