In this article...
- Recycling vapes with Totally Wicked
- Why recycle vapes?
- The dangers of improper vape disposal
- The disposable vape ban and alternatives to single use devices
The Dos and Don’ts of Vape Disposal
Vapes have helped millions of British smokers quit their potentially life-limiting habit. [1] However, this fact has yet again been overshadowed by negative press surrounding vapes.[2] This time it's because of improper disposal of the devices which, some media outlets claim, has led to bin fires and explosions at waste facilities. If discarded vapes are in fact to blame for these incidents, it could be that some vapers aren't aware of how to dispose of vapes properly nor the impact improper disposal can have. Totally Wicked is a responsible vape retailer and manufacturer. As such, we not only endeavour to ensure customers know where to take their used vapes, but to also provide our own vape recycling service that ensures vapes are disposed of properly.
If you're yet to upgrade from disposables to a more sustainable vaping option, or unsure how to dispose of disposable vapes read on.
I've compiled some essential dos and don'ts of how and where to dispose of vapes.
Do Recycle with Totally Wicked
Where to dispose of vapes
Perhaps the easiest way to ensure you dispose of your vape safely is by taking it to your nearest Totally Wicked shop and popping it into the counter-top recycling bins. To date, we've collected approximately 400,000 vapes[6] to be recycled in partnership with sustainability solutions provider, Veolia. It's not just disposables that can be recycled with us – we also accept kits, and you can hand these over to our store colleagues to receive 20% off one of our selected kits. They don't even have to have been purchased from Totally Wicked - we'll recycle any vapes, from anywhere. If you aren't near one of our shops, find your nearest vape recycling centre and drop off them for safe disposal.
Why recycle vapes?
Besides the safety risks associated with improper disposal of vapes, including the risk of fires, there are other reasons you should be keen to recycle your devices. Vapes are made of components that can be recycled:
- The plastic from the mouthpiece can be recycled
- The metal tube can contain recyclable materials such as aluminium, copper, and steel
- Materials inside vape batteries such as lithium and cobalt can be used to create new batteries
Even the non-recyclable parts of vapes can be used to produce renewable energy. Find out more about our recycling scheme by visiting our dedicated recycling information page.
Don't Put Vapes in Household or Public Bins
Like any items containing batteries, vapes shouldn't be thrown out with your normal household waste. This is because vapes containing batteries may pose a safety risk if not disposed of properly. Case in point is an incident involving a recycling bin truck in Stroud which caught fire via a vape that had been thrown away with household recycling.[3] Although vapes can indeed be recycled, they need to be taken to a specialist facility which includes your nearest WEEE recycling location or your nearest Totally Wicked store.
Don't Put Vapes Down the Toilet
As daft as it sounds, there are people who’ve been flushing vapes down toilets. So, I thought it best to make sure you're fully aware that flushing vapes down toilets is a definite no-no. The BBC reported [4] that workers at Northumbrian Water discovered 57 disposable vapes blocking a pipe. They believe these devices were flushed down a toilet in Darlington. Unbelievably, this wasn't just a one-off and another vape-flushing incident was reported in the Belfast Telegraph[5]. This time, a couple's flight was delayed because someone flushed a vape down the plane's toilet.
Don't Dismantle your Disposable
You may think it a good idea to dismantle your vape, throwing away everything but the battery. However, this is not advisable. While it's nice of you to want to save the experts a job, there's a couple of reasons you shouldn't attempt to dismantle a disposable vape yourself:
- A single-use vape usually has an integrated battery that isn't meant to be detached from the device by consumers. In fact, there is the risk that you could injure yourself or others should you attempt some DIY dismantling.
- Other parts of the vape can be recycled as well as the battery, so it's best to take the entire device to be recycled.
Do Prepare for the Disposable Ban
Ditch Disposables for Good
I think it's important to touch upon the looming vape ban[7]. On October 24, it was announced that the ban would come into force in the summer 2024, with the date widly exected to be June 1st[8]. The current government is yet to announce plans regarding this, but it's thought that a disposables ban will still go ahead and fairly soon.[9] Rather than wait until your favourite disposables are no longer available, it would be a good idea to switch to an alternative sooner rather than later. Afterall, why wait to save money by switching to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious kit when you can do it straight away?
Switching to a vape kit from a disposable may seem daunting but it really isn't as difficult as it may seem. Kits come in all shapes and sizes, and there are lots of options that are very similar to the disposables. Take our VLTZ flex Pro vapes for example. These are available in a Bar or a Box style and can be used with both prefilled and refillable pods.
Do Upgrade to a More Sustainable Kit
Ultimately, you want to aim to be using a more sustainable device that won’t be affected by the vape ban and is better for the environment. Prefilled pod kits are a great start, but refillable vape options are by far the best choice for your pocket and the environment.
Three fantastic refillable kits that prove to be popular with all kinds of vapers are:
- arc 5 – a compact, stylish vape that can offer a full day of vaping before needing to be charged.
- Tornado GTL – a fast-charging vape pen with three power settings so you can adjust the device to your preferred style of vaping.
- Skope Air – a great choice for new vapers and those switching from disposables. This vape features adjustable airflow and two ways to vape – either inhale or press the button the button to begin vaping.
Whatever type of vape you choose, make sure you dispose of them properly and recycle whenever possible.
References
[1] ASH Report – Nearly 3 Million people in Britian have quit smoking with a vape in the last five years
[2] Fires linked to irresponsible vape disposal.
[4] Vapes block drain after being flushed down toilet
[5] Flight delayed because of flushed vape
[6] Totally Wicked Recycling Scheme
[7] Disposable Vape Ban and Regulation Changes
