E-Cigarettes and Vapes

With the rise in e-cigarettes and vapes that are marketed as ‘disposable,’ there is a huge misconception that they can be thrown away after use.  However, these lithium-ion-powered devices do not belong in the trash can or recycling bin. Neither do any of their components.

How do they function? And what does proper e-cigarette and vape disposal look like?

How Do E-Cigarettes and Vapes Work?

E-cigarettes were introduced to the US market in 2007 as an alternative to traditional cigarettes. Since they do not contain tobacco, they are often viewed as a “healthier” option for nicotine consumption.

E-cigarettes, or vapes, deliver a dose of nicotine to the user via an aerosolized mist. The nicotine liquid is heated to extremely high temperatures and pressurized to create a vapor.

Pictured: Vape Packaging and vape devices littered at local parks.

Making Nicotine Trendy

In the United States, teens and adults buy roughly 12 million disposable vapes per month. Easily accessible, colorfully packaged, and marketed with appealing flavors, vapes have quickly become popular with younger people, including underage youths.

In 2019, the National Youth Tobacco Study found that more than 5 million middle and high school students used electronic cigarette devices.

Because these devices are still relatively new, we do not yet understand their long-term health or environmental impact.

Why is Proper Disposal Important?

Toxic Chemicals

E-cigarette waste can contain nicotine salts, heavy metals, lead, mercury, flammable lithium-ion batteries, as well as plastic waste. Even in an empty cartridge, trace amounts of chemicals remain, including nicotine. If the e-juice leaches into the soil or water, it can be deadly to surrounding plants and wildlife.

Additionally, plastic never fully decomposes: it breaks into tiny pieces of non-biodegradable plastic that threaten the health of wildlife and humans. For these reasons, littering should never be a disposal option.  

Fire Hazard

The lithium-ion batteries in e-cigarettes and other rechargeable devices store a lot of energy in a small package. If the battery becomes damaged or compromised, it results in the release of toxic, flammable, explosive gases and creates a strong, self-sustaining fire.

These fragile batteries do not belong in the dump trucks, material recovery facilities, or landfills, where they can get crushed by heavy machinery, explode, and ignite nearby items. 

How to Properly Dispose of E-Cigarettes and Vapes

E-cigarettes and vapes should be disposed of with other types of hazardous waste. The following companies provide hazardous waste processing services to the Reno/Sparks area:

For more information, click below for KTMB and NNPH’s Report: Environmental Impact of Traditional and Electronic Cigarettes and Barriers to Proper Disposal in Washoe County