Vape Pens- An Environmental Perspective
By Nicole Hiltbrand (Chapter Summer 2023 Intern), Lisa Furger (Chapter Summer 2023 Intern), and Ilima Edwards (Chapter Fall 2023 Intern) | Reading time: 7 minutes
A disposable vape pen is a type of electronic cigarette device that is designed for single-use and typically consists of a slim, compact design resembling a pen. Disposable vape pens come pre-filled with e-liquid (also known as “vape juice”) and have a built-in battery and heating coil. They are ready to use straight out of the box and do not require any additional maintenance or refilling, making them attractive for consumers due to ease of use. Once the e-liquid is depleted or the battery runs out, the entire disposable vape pen is discarded and replaced with a new one.
Disposable vape pens have experienced a significant surge in popularity in recent years. According to the CDC Foundation, disposable e-cigarettes now make up approximately 53% of all e-cigarette unit sales in the U.S. as of March 2023. These products are typically marketed as being safer and healthier alternatives to traditional cigarettes, attracting smokers looking for healthier options or assistance with quitting,. Clever marketing, appealing designs, ease of use, and a wide range of flavors have contributed to their appeal, particularly among young adults.
Despite ongoing research and regulatory efforts, a large number of concerns persist regarding the risks and impacts of these devices. One often overlooked concern is the environmental threat posed by the disposable nature of single-use vape pens. These products present significant environmental challenges due to their non-biodegradable nature and limited recyclability.
Typically composed of materials such as plastic, metal, and electronic components, disposable vape pens are resistant to natural breakdown processes, exacerbating their environmental impact. When these devices are discarded inappropriately, such as by being littered or disposed of in regular waste streams, several environmental risks arise.
Environmental threats of vape pens
First, plastics in vape devices are a threat to the environment. Plastic pods and cartridges in disposable vape pens are not recyclable because they contain nicotine and other hazardous chemicals. As a result, smokers - or vapers - often dispose of their vape pens in regular garbage. Vape pens’ non-biodegradability means that they do not naturally decompose over time, allowing for them to build up in landfills (or in the environment, if these vape devices are simply discarded as litter). Eventually, they can physically break down into smaller and smaller pieces of plastic called microplastic. When microplastics enter the environment, they can end up in our streams and ocean from wind and stormwater runoff, and even in the bodies and bloodstreams of animals and humans.
Second, heavy metals in discarded vape pens, such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, can be released into soil and groundwater, potentially contaminating nearby ecosystems and posing risks to human health if contaminated natural resources are consumed.
Third, the electronic waste components of e-cigarettes, such as lithium-ion batteries and electronic circuit boards, can also pose threats to human and environmental health. Lithium-ion batteries are classified as hazardous waste and need to be handled with extreme caution. For example, lithium hexafluorophosphate, found in lithium-ion batteries, can be released if a battery combusts or is damaged; exposure to this chemical or the hydrofluoric acid it can form through reactions with water can be highly toxic to people..
Fourth, once vape pens enter the environment, another factor to be concerned about is the potential leaching of residual nicotine and other chemicals in the e-liquid. E-liquid is also considered by the EPA to be an acute hazardous waste material, and it can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and wildlife if it enters water bodies through littering or other improper forms of disposal. Disposable vapes and other e-cigarettes will contain residual nicotine even after the e-liquid is largely emptied through vape use; this residual nicotine can act as a poison to wildlife, disrupting animals’ reproductive systems and further impacting overall ecosystem health.
Difficulties of vape pen disposal
The environmental impact of disposable vape pens is aggravated by the difficulty of recycling them. Due to their complex design and combination of plastic, metal, and electric materials, recycling vape pens is a challenge. Most recycling facilities are not equipped to handle vape products, as they require specialized processes to separate and recycle these various components effectively.
The absence of clear instructions on how to dispose of vape devices further exacerbates these issues. In 2021, the Truth Initiative surveyed individuals aged 15 to 24 to determine their methods of disposing of vape products. Their results revealed that more than half of the participants regularly discard empty vapes in either average trash bins or curbside recycling. Many e-cigarette packages do not provide disposal guidance, and the majority of respondents expressed challenges related to unclear guidelines and the inconvenience of proper disposal methods. Currently, consumers and municipalities bear the responsibility for dealing with the e-waste from disposable vapes, as the companies that produce these products are not held accountable.
Juul and Vuse, prominent e-cigarette manufacturers, offer disposal guidance on their websites, but the process is more challenging than their solutions express. Juul suggests disposing of their devices at a “hazardous or special waste collection point,” while Vuse advises contacting local waste management officials for specific disposal information. In Hawaiʻi, finding accessible options for vape pen disposal has proved particularly difficult.
Little answers for local disposal in Hawaiʻi
When Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi Chapter interns contacted recycling and waste service operators this summer, they received limited assistance because they, like most vape users, lacked knowledge about disposal options for vape pens. EWaste Recycling and Oʻahu Waste Services Inc. are some of the recycling operations that were contacted, and an Oʻahu Waste Services Inc. operator advised to simply throw the devices in the bin.
Local vape stores were either unresponsive or uncertain about the proper disposal process, leaving us with no clear direction. Major retailers like Home Depot and Best Buy also failed to provide guidance because of vape pens’ nicotine content classifying them as hazardous waste. Only vape pen batteries are eligible for collection if they are removed from the device. Although separating the battery from the device seems simple, users can run into potential hazards, like chemical fires, if the battery is punctured.
Battery Bill accepts vape pens for disposal; however, a $10 per pound fee might deter some individuals. As for Interstate Batteries, they directed customers to Cameron Chemical Corporation, which unfortunately does not accept vape pens either.
The lack of clear and accessible vape pen disposal options emphasizes the need for comprehensive waste management strategies, standardized regulations, and increased public awareness to effectively address this growing environmental concern.
Vape pens in the future
The current regulatory landscape for e-cigarette waste disposal is evolving, but there is a lack of comprehensive guidelines for how vape users should move forward with this issue. This regulatory gap poses challenges in managing the environmental impact of these products, and many jurisdictions primarily focus on regulating the manufacturing, marketing, and sales of e-cigarettes rather than specifically addressing their end-of-life disposal. Environmental agencies and health organizations are gradually recognizing the need to address the disposal of vape pens and other e-cigarettes, but comprehensive and standardized regulations are still limited.
To mitigate the environmental impact of e-cigarettes, the development of regulations promoting safe recycling and waste minimization is crucial. These regulations should consider the unique challenges posed by e-cigarettes, including their complex design and hazardous components. A comprehensive approach could include the establishment of dedicated collection points for e-cigarette waste, where users can properly dispose of their devices.
These collection points can ensure that e-cigarettes are handled in an environmentally responsible manner and directed toward appropriate recycling facilities. Regulations should also encourage manufacturers to design e-cigarettes with recyclability in mind, using materials that are easier to separate and recycle. Clear instructions on how to properly dispose of e-cigarettes should be mandated on product packaging, ensuring that users are informed about responsible disposal practices.
Consideration of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) provides a valuable framework for addressing the environmental impact of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Article 18 of the FCTC emphasizes the importance of considering environmental protection in relation to tobacco cultivation and manufacturing.
Drawing upon the principles of the FCTC, regulatory agencies can develop guidelines specifically addressing the disposal and environmental impact of e-cigarettes. This framework can serve as a basis for incorporating environmental considerations into regulations and policies, ensuring that the environmental consequences of e-cigarettes are adequately addressed. By aligning with the FCTC, regulatory bodies can underscore the significance of environmental protection and foster a holistic approach to e-cigarette waste management that accounts for both public health and environmental concerns.