Check out this guide on how to improve your impact on the environment!
One of the most commonly asked questions by vapers is how to dispose of vapes responsibly. In this blog we will discuss the impacts of incorrect disposal, explore environmentally friendly options, and the best way to dispose!
Improperly disposed of vape devices are extremely harmful to the environment. The lithium batteries and included chemicals can cause damage to ecosystems and harm animals. With around 426 million vapes being bought annually in the UK, there is cause for concern[1]. But how can you dispose of your vape responsibly?
All vape batteries contain numerous heavy metals including lithium-ion. Roughly 8.2 million disposables and big puff vapes are thrown away each week. That’s 13 per second. Experts blame this huge growth to the popularity of big puff vape devices.
How to Dispose Of Vapes Responsibly
The best way to dispose of a vape is to take it back to your local retailer. Alternatively the Accrington TECC store or any local Totally Wicked stores will accept any devices for disposal. The shops are partnered with with recycling company Veolia to ensure that devices are dealt with responsibly.
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is a law which holds sellers responsible for the disposal of hazardous waste. This means that, by law, you should be able to return any electrical device back to where you bought it.
Some local authorities offer vape disposal at local household recycling centres as well as bins located across towns and city centres.
Please note: It is unsafe for you to dispose of disposables in household or public bins .
To find your nearest recycling point check out the Recycle Your Electricals website. Simply enter your postcode, select what item you’d like to dispose off, and discover locations near you!
Why Recycle Vapes?
There are many reasons why you should dispose of vapes responsibly. One of the key reasons is to avoid battery fires in bin lorries and recycling centres. Lets explore the key reasons to help you discover the importance of correct disposal.
Lithium Batteries
Disposables are terrible for the environment if disposed of incorrectly. All kits contain a battery, either removable or built in. E-cig batteries contain lithium, which is a chemical that needs to be responsibly disposed of. If left in a landfill or littered the lithium, and other metals, from these batteries pollutes the local environment and contaminates water supplies.
Removable batteries are more environmentally friendly. They can be taken to one of many battery recycling points across the UK. Disposable batteries and internal batteries, like the OXVA XLIM Pro 2, are harder to dispose of.
Plastics
The environmental impact of vapes isn’t just caused by batteries. Devices also contain plastics that can take 1000 years to decompose[4]. Each disposable usually lasts most vapers a day. This is much worse for the environment, when compared to rechargeable batteries that can last 6 months to a year.
When left to decompose the heavy metals inside of the batteries leak out and contaminate soil and groundwater. This in turn impacts local wildlife and can greatly impact ecosystems[3].
Around 14 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the ocean each year. Altogether, this pollution harms ocean life and ruins environments. Many pre-filled pods, like the ELFA Pro pods, and disposables are designed to be discarded after use. You can’t recycle these disposable pods due to their contact with nicotine.
The Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) law limits the size of pre-mixed e-liquids to 10ml. This doesn’t help the amount of waste produced by e-liquid. Although, you can avoid this problem if you purchase shortfill. Most direct to lung (DL) vapers will use a lot of liquid, some using around 10ml per day. That’s a lot of plastic waste.
What Are The Best Alternatives To Disposables?
There are many alternatives to disposable vapes that have much less environmental impact. Prefilled pod systems and open tank systems are great alternatives that help vapers minimise their waste. They also make the need to dispose of your vape a lot less frequent.
Below are some great examples of each, so you can consider the next step in your vaping journey.
Removeable Battery Kits
The issue with all devices is that your battery slowly drops in efficiency over its lifespan. With internal batteries this means that you’re going to need to buy a new kit. The good news is that when you do, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment recycling (WEEE) regulated vape shops can dispose of your old device for you.
A simpler solution would be to switch to a device that has replaceable batteries. The battery recycling points where you can take these batteries are a lot more common. Also, you can keep using the same kit and just buy new batteries, which lowers the cost.
SMOK NOVO ECO Vape Kit
The SMOK NOVO ECO pod kit is a premium starter kit with a sustainable design.
It features a 1000mAh rechargeable battery which can be topped up via its USB-C port. To remove the battery take off the bottom cap and place it in a battery bin.
The sustainable kit is a perfect choice for environmentally conscious vapers looking for a responsible pod kit.
Prefilled Pod Systems
Prefilled pod systems work very similarly to disposables. But, instead of binning the whole kit, you just bin the pod. You keep the battery and recharge it when it gets low.
Also, pod systems aren’t just better for the environment, they’re better for your wallet. Each pack of pods (which usually contains 2) costs the same as a single disposable. So, you’re slashing your spending in half.
VLTZ flex Pro Bar
| Battery Size | 900mAh |
| Pod Price | £2.99 |
| Kit Price | £10.99 |
The VLTZ Flex Pro is a great disposable pod system that has a sizeable 900mAh battery.
The Flex Pro Bar refill pod bundle is the perfect transitional kit for disposable and cigarette users
Available in 30 flavours, the VLTZ liquid is bursting with flavour and should easily satisfy most disposable vapers.
The kit is charged with a USB-C cable, meaning that the fast charge only takes around half an hour. The battery life is easily enough to last the life of a pod and lasts most vapers around 2 days.
Available at £7.99 for a battery, the flex is a very reasonable kit. Also, there’s a bundle for £9.99 that snags you a pack of pods for just £2! What a bargain.
Lost Mary BM6000 Prefilled Pod Kit
| Battery Size | 1000mAh |
| Pods Price | £7.99 (2ml+10ml) |
| Kit Price | £11.99 |
Lost Mary BM6000 Prefilled Pod Kit is a disposable alternative inspired by the BM6000.
Each kit features a 1000mAh rechargeable battery that can be removed from the kit after use. This allows you to dispose of the battery separately in any local battery bins.
The kits comes with a 2ml tank and 10ml refill container prefilled with MARYLQ in a 20mg nicotine strength.
Choose from a range of 30 flavours available in a selection of best selling Lost Mary devices.
Elf Bar ELFA Pro
The ELFA Pro is Elf Bar’s disposable pod system. Featuring a selection of 42 flavours, the ELFA Pro pod range contains most of Elf Bar’s most popular flavours.
On outward appearance, the ELFA Pro looks exactly the same as an Elf Bar 600. So, vapers of this disposable won’t notice a difference.
The 500mAh battery will last roughly the life of a single pod. Thanks to the USB-C charge, the battery will charge in around 10 minutes. Very convenient.
The ELFA Pro battery costs £5.99, whilst the pods are available for £5.99 for a pack of 2.
| Battery Size | 500mAh |
| Pods Price | £5.99 (pack of 2) |
| Kit Price | £5.99 |
Refillable Pod Kits
Refillable pod kits feature rechargeable batteries and refillable pods. The pods are designed to be disposed off after use making them a greener alternative for users.
OXVA XLIM Pro 2
The OXVA XLIM Pro 2 vape kit is a best selling pod kit designed for new and experienced vapers.
It features a 1300mAh battery that can be monitoured via its impressive 0.56 inch display. Once the kit flashes below 10% plug its into 2A fast charging port for up to 40 minutes.
The fit is compatible with the OXVA XLIM V3 top fill pods which offer long lasting use. Allowing you to get more usage out of them.
Aspire Gotek Nano
The Aspire Gotek Nano pod kit is an easy to use pod system designed for durable on the go vaping.
It features a 1000mAh rechargeable battery that can be topped via its USB-C port in under 40 minutes.
The Aspire Gotek Nano is compatible with the Aspire Gotek Pods. They offer a long lasting experience with a durable coil system.
Open Tank Systems
Open tank systems take the green effort a step further. Instead of binning plastic pods (which can’t be recycled due to their contact with nicotine), you simply change a small metal coil.
With an open tank system, you’ll only have to dispose of your vape after 6-12 months.
Joyetech EVIO C
The EVIO C is a fantastic little kit.
Featuring a decent 800mAh battery, this kit will last around 6 hours of use before it needs to be charged. Also, thanks to its USB-C quick charge connection, it recharges in around half an hour.
The kit is slim and lightweight. It sports a fire button with an LED light that indicates battery level.
Although the device has a fire button, the kit can be vaped using inhale activation.
Another great thing about the EVIO C is that it can easy use disposable liquids such as VLTZ, Elfliq, Double Brew or Bar Juice 5000.
| Battery Size | 800mAh |
| Coils Price | £11.99 for a pack of 5 |
| Kit Price | £22.99 |
TECC arc Slim
The TECC arc Slim is the kit to go for if you want a compact device with a sizeable battery. The whopping 1800mAh battery is enough to last most MTL vapers at least two days, probably longer.
Also, the kit features adjustable power settings so that you can tailor your vape to exactly how you like it.
The Cs coils are easy to replace and the tank features sliding top fill and adjustable airflow. Combining these features with the simple to use power settings, it makes a kit that is perfect for beginners or any MTL vaper. The coils are available in packs of two for £5.49.
| Battery Size | 1800mAh |
| Coils Price | £5.49 for 2 |
| Kit Price | £34.99 |
And there you have it! That’s how to dispose of vapes responsibly and how to reduce your environmental impact.
Sources
[1] Material Focus. (2024). “Big Puff” vapes adding to the vape environmental crisis
[2] Baker, B. (2021). Disposable E-Cigarettes: The Environmental Impact.
[3] Jacoby, M. (2019). It’s time to get serious about recycling lithium-ion batteries.
[4] LeBlanc, R. (2021). The Decomposition of Waste in Landfills.
