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The popularity of disposable vapes has grown exponentially over the past 2 years. These convenient devices are helping millions of smokers ditch cigarettes and remain smoke-free. However, it's important to keep their environmental impact is to a minimum. Keep reading to learn how you can deal with spent disposable vapes responsibly.
Are disposable vapes bad for the environment?
The classification of electrical waste is full of complexities. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) rules tell us how we should dispose of electrical products. However, if they still have a battery in them, we don’t class them as WEEE, but as hazardous waste. Add in the difficulty that there’s probably some nicotine left over, and the plot thickens still further. The WEEE rules are there for good reasons though. One is that electrical waste has a value, but there’s another good reason for their proper disposal too.
If electrical items are not disposed of correctly, then they can be damaging to the environment. When WEEE is dumped at landfill, toxic metals like cobalt and manganese can leach into the soil and water supplies. Thankfully, there are waste recycling plants that can extract these materials. This dramatically reduces the issue. So, how can you ensure that your disposable vapes make their way to a recycling facility?
How can I recycle disposable vapes?
All used disposable vapes need to end up at a waste recycling plant, either directly or indirectly. We understand that it isn't always feasible or reasonable to expect all vapers to take their used units down to a local recycling centre. If it is, then great, but if not then we have a solution for you.
All Totally Wicked stores will take used disposables and other e-cigarettes off your hands. We safely retain this electronic waste in-store and arrange for its collection and responsible disposal. Please feel free to return your used disposable vapes and e-cigarettes to your local Totally Wicked store. You can rest assured that we will responsibly and appropriately dispose of them.
Totally Wicked has more than 150 stores across the UK, including numerous locations in Scotland and Wales. Every one of our stores will accept any type of e-cigarette. This includes any brand, even if you didn’t buy it from Totally Wicked.
What Alternatives are there to Disposable Vapes?
If you can recycle disposable vapes, you dramatically reduce their environmental impact. However, the best way to reduce your eco footprint is to use a reusable device. Of course, disposable vapes have their benefits in terms of convenience and ease of use. However they are also popular because of their intense flavour profiles. We have developed some products that are still pretty convenient and easy to use. Importantly they have intense flavours that taste as good, if not better than the latest disposables. The real beauty of these devices though, is that they're reusable. This means their impact on the environment is a great deal lower.
VLTZ Re:fuel
The VLTZ Re:fuel with VLTZ e-liquid is, technically, a disposable solution. However its impact on the environment is much lower than traditional disposable vapes. You can refill the VLTZ Re:fuel with e-liquid, and recharge its battery many times. You only need to replace the device itself when the atomizer head performance drops off. This usually happens after around 20-30ml of VLTZ e-liquid, which is equivalent to 10-15 disposable vapes. Ultimately, by switching from disposables to the VLTZ Re:fuel you are reducing your entire device disposal by at least 90%.
As with the VLTZ Flex, the Re:fuel will also save you a good chunk of money. A VLTZ Re:fuel bundle includes one device and one 10ml bottle of e-liquid, costing £9.99. That’s the equivalent of 5 disposables for less than £10. Pick up another bottle of e-liquid for £4.99 and you’ve had the equivalent of 10 disposables for less than £15. That's a saving of almost 70%.
VLTZ e-liquid in 10ml bottles is the very same stuff as is in the Flex pods. High quality, intense flavours, with 12 options to choose from. There are even three nicotine strengths, including a zero nicotine option. You can also try this device for free in all Totally Wicked stores, so why not give it a whirl?
So to recap, the VLTZ Re:fuel can reduce your battery disposal by 90% and your expenditure by 70%, while retaining the flavour and performance you love… It's a no-brainer.
Avoid smoking without costing the earth
There you have it, our top tips for disposable vapers to reduce their environmental impact. Whether you use disposables or reusable kits, there are always ways to make small but meaningful changes to the way you tread the planet. If you're not ready to take the step from a disposable to a reusable device, that’s fine. But please make an effort to ensure you dispose of them appropriately.