How to Recycle Disposable Vapes in the US?

How to recycle disposable vapes in the US? With sustainability in the spotlight, this issue is becoming more and more of a concern for e-cigarette enthusiasts.

Recycling these tiny but far-reaching devices can reduce waste, protect the environment, and even save resources – knowledge that can put you ahead of the curve when it comes to making eco-friendly e-cigarette decisions.

Stay tuned, and you’ll find actionable tips and clever tricks. Ready to get started? Let’s clear the air.

Types of E-Cigarettes

While there have been some previous developments, the first electronic cigarette (or vape) on the market was introduced in 2004, according to the US National Library of Medicine.

Since then, the e-cigarette market has boomed and there are now several different types of e-cigarettes available:

E-cigarette pens – these are common cylindrical e-cigarettes that are either disposable or reusable, depending on the brand.

Pod-type e-cigarettes – Pod-type e-cigarettes (or pod mod) consist of two parts: a rechargeable battery and a replaceable and refillable pod.

Box E-Cigarettes- Currently, this is the largest e-cigarette with a variable wattage temperature-controlled external battery and a refillable tank.

Disposable e-cigarettes- Disposable e-cigarettes come in a variety of sizes and flavors and are thrown away once the battery or liquid is depleted.

Many brands are releasing new e-cigarettes all the time and should include proper disposal instructions with their products. Often, the best way to dispose of an e-cigarette depends on whether it is a reusable or disposable e-cigarette.

**How to Recycle Disposable Vapes in the U.S.**

What’s in a disposable e-cigarette?

Disposable e-cigarettes have the same components and materials as reusable e-cigarettes. They typically have smaller tanks and batteries, cheaper plastic casings, and often non-removable parts. Disposable e-cigarettes contain the following:

Plastic exterior
A lithium-ion battery
Small reservoir for storing e-liquid
Cotton wicks
A metal coil

Why aren’t most disposable e-cigarettes recycled?

Design flaws: non-removable batteries and bonded components make disassembly hazardous.
Cost barrier: recycling costs more than many cities’ landfill fees.

Alternatives to reduce waste

Switch to reusable e-cigarettes: open-system devices (such as the MR FOG DRT) produce less waste.
Advocate for policy change: Support bills like California’s SB 516, which calls for the creation of an e-cigarette recycling infrastructure.

How are e-cigarettes recycled?

For reusable and refillable devices, e-cigarettes can be recycled. The most sustainable option is to continue refilling and reusing the same e-cigarettes whenever possible.

However, if the e-cigarette is severely damaged, the battery is completely dead or you need to upgrade, then recycling your e-cigarette is your next best option.

You can recycle your e-cigarette by disassembling and separating the parts and then recycling them with the same materials:

Battery Recycling – If your e-cigarette comes with a removable battery, you can remove it and take it to any of the battery recycling points available in many supermarkets.

Cartridges and Tanks – Remove cartridges, tanks, or bombs from your e-cigarette and wash them thoroughly with water to remove all excess e-cigarette liquid residue.

Any glass reservoirs or smoke cartridges can be recycled through glass recycling. If the cartridge or smoke bomb is made of plastic, check the packaging and bottom of the cartridge or smoke bomb for the recycling symbol and number.

Check that you can recycle this type of plastic in your household recycling bin.

Coils – Most coils can be removed from the cartridge or vape tank, but if not, check the recycling instructions for your particular e-cigarette.

Remove the coil, separate the cotton or wick, and wash off any e-liquid residue. The remaining coils can be recycled with the metal or placed in some household recycling bins.

E-Cigarette Liquid Bottles – All e-cigarette liquid bottles are made of some kind of plastic. Clean the bottles and check to see if this plastic can be recycled in a household recycling bin. If not, check to see if your local HWRC accepts this plastic.

E-cigarette packaging – if you still have the original packaging for your e-cigarette, you can usually dispose of it in your household recycling bin if it is paper and card.

How do I dispose of disposable e-cigarettes?

Disposable e-cigarettes are single-use and therefore need to be disposed of responsibly once they are used up. You should never throw disposable e-cigarettes out with your regular trash.

Any e-cigarettes in landfills leach chemicals from battery acid, nicotine, and plastic into the environment. In addition, lithium-ion batteries are a fire risk.

The safest and easiest way to dispose of disposable e-cigarettes is to place them in an e-cigarette disposal bin or return them to the retailer.

If you can easily remove the battery, take it apart and take it to your local battery recycling point (available in many supermarkets).

However, the way disposable e-cigarettes are manufactured means that it is difficult to separate the battery from the materials found in many disposable e-cigarettes. It is recommended that they are disposed of through the appropriate channels.

Batteries: extract lithium for reuse in electronics.
Plastics: chopped and melted into pellets for manufacturing.
Nicotine residue: safely incinerate or neutralize.

Why Recycling Disposable Vapes Matter?

According to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, nearly 5 disposable vapes are discarded every second, with most ending up in landfills.

These devices contain lithium batteries, plastics, and residual nicotine, which classify them as hazardous waste under EPA guidelines.

Improper disposal risks lithium fires, soil contamination, and toxic leaks.

Step 1: Check Local Regulations

Before recycling, confirm your state’s rules:
States like California and New York have strict e-waste laws, requiring hazardous waste facilities for disposal.
Municipal programs (e.g., San Francisco’s Recology) may accept vapes if batteries are removed.

Step 2: Remove Batteries (If Possible)

Only attempt this if the device allows safe battery removal.
Never puncture or dismantle the vape, as residual nicotine and lithium pose fire risks.

Step 3: Use Specialized Recycling Programs

Option 1: TerraCycle’s Paid Recycling Service
Process: Mail used vapes to TerraCycle via prepaid shipping labels.
Cost: ~5–10 per device (covers disassembly and material separation).
Outcome: Metals, plastics, and batteries are recycled into new products.

Option 2: Local E-Waste Events
Example: Orange County, CA, hosts quarterly e-waste drives accepting vapes (batteries must be removed).

Conclusion

While recycling disposable e-cigarettes in the United States remains challenging, options such as local e-waste programs offer solutions. As regulations tighten (e.g., the FDA cracks down on unauthorised sales), it is critical to prioritise environmentally friendly disposal.