Vapes and e-cigarette cartridges have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, they contain hazardous materials such as toxic liquids, nicotine, and lithium batteries that can catch fire. There is growing confusion over the best way to responsibly dispose of them, which has become a challenge for Western Australia. Councils and waste management authorities are responsible for the disposal of most household rubbish, but they have limited scope to manage hazardous waste from used vapes.
No Specific Guidelines for Disposing of Vapes
A spokesperson from WA’s Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) said vapes accounted for a small percentage of waste, but there were no specific guidelines for disposing of them. The lack of understanding about how to dispose of used devices has become a concern for Reece Russell, who manages one of WA’s licensed vape disposal companies. As a chemical engineer, Mr Russell said disposal of vape cartridges was complex, expensive, and confusing for the general public.
Single-Use Vape Cartridges Discarded on the Side of the Road
Mr Russell said it was concerning to see “single-use” vape cartridges discarded on the side of the road or disposed of incorrectly. “They’re the new cigarette butt, they are a single-use, disposable item.” Some of his biggest clients were high schools, with many paying to ensure confiscated vape paraphernalia was correctly disposed of. Schools, on average, collect 50 to 100 vape cartridges at a time. They can be up to $10 per item to dispose of.
No Available Data About the Number of Confiscated Vapes in WA
A WA Education Department spokesperson said there was no available data about the number of vapes that had been confiscated, but in 2022 there were 3,732 vaping or e-cigarette-related student suspensions. “We’re getting calls from members of the public all the time looking for somewhere to dispose of them,” Mr Russell said. At the moment, there are not many central locations where you can take them.
The Need for a Regulated National Vape Recycling Program
According to Shannon Mead, chief executive of environmental group No More Butts, the group is seeing a “dramatic increase” in vape waste. “With recent reports of the amount of people vaping, we would see that this new fad is contributing more than 1,000 tonnes of e-waste and creating the potential for dozens of fires,” Mr Mead said. He counseled against vape users pulling the devices apart themselves due to the electronics, nicotine, and batteries inside. Mr Mead said the ideal solution would be to implement a regulated national vape recycling program.
Importers Should Foot the Bill
Stefan Frodsham, CEO of one of WA’s largest waste management services, Western Metropolitan Regional Council, said vape waste was “problematic” for the entire waste industry. He said vapes were a “disposable” product being sold without any clear disposal or reprocessing pathway. He said hazardous waste processing was funded by the state government and administered through the WA Local Government Association (WALGA). WALGA president Karen Chappel agreed that vape importers, producers, or distributors should foot the bill for recycling and disposal.
Finding a Solution
Mr Russell said he was working with some WA local governments and waste authorities to come up with a solution. “People need somewhere where they can take them, where we can then dispose of them correctly,” he said. “And really, once we do have those larger numbers together, the cost of disposal will come down.”
Overall, the growing volume of vape waste is proving to be a significant challenge for recycling, as the hazardous materials contained within them require complex and expensive processes to dispose of safely. In the absence of clear guidelines, local councils and waste management authorities are struggling to manage this waste stream, leading to its proliferation in public areas and a risk of fires. While some programs and initiatives are being developed, more comprehensive action is needed to regulate vape waste and ensure it is disposed of safely and responsibly.
FAQs:
Can vape cartridges be recycled?
While some of the materials contained within vape cartridges, such as lithium batteries, can be recycled, the process is complex and expensive. Currently, there are limited options for recycling vape waste in Australia.What are the hazards of improper disposal of vapes?
Improper disposal of vapes can lead to fires and contamination of the environment. Vapes contain toxic liquids, nicotine, and lithium batteries that can pose a risk if not disposed of correctly.What is the ideal solution for vape waste?
The ideal solution would be to implement a regulated national vape recycling program. This would enable better transparency of importation data and retail sales data, which will assist in assessing the true impact of this trend.Who should be responsible for the disposal of vape waste?
Vape importers, producers, or distributors should foot the bill for recycling and disposal, as part of the concept of extended producer responsibility.What can individuals do to dispose of vapes responsibly?
Individuals should seek out central locations that accept vape waste for recycling or disposal. It is not recommended that individuals attempt to dismantle vapes themselves, due to the hazardous materials contained within.