Vapes (a.k.a. vape products, electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes) are handheld, battery-powered devices that simulate tobacco or cannabis smoking by vaporizing a liquid solution (e-liquid) containing nicotine or cannabis extract. Managing vape product waste (VPW) is a growing concern with more than 309 million e-cigarette units sold in U.S. retail stores in 2023, according to the CDC Foundation. Aside from the escalating use rates among both adults and youth, improper disposal leads to battery fires and environmental contaminants.
Single-uses devices are of particular concern. With nearly 143 million “disposable” devices sold annually, municipalities are burdened with the financial responsibility of properly disposing post-consumer vapes from residents, event venues, public spaces, and schools. Furthermore, most consumers incorrectly discard these devices in household trash, even though they contain rechargeable or non-rechargeable embedded batteries that are difficult to separate from the rest of the components.
This webinar covered the full breadth of VPW, including generation, state and local policy options, best management practices, challenges, and successes for this complex product. We heard from local government about the operational details of VPW management, including insights from Boulder County’s Vape Aware program, which offers community vape waste disposal opportunities. PSI shared policy options identified through a research project conducted for Boulder County. Additionally, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency presented on specific challenges and complexities of vape end-of-life management, and the Environmental Health Initiative at University of California discussed the broader environmental issues associated with VPW disposal.
RECORDING: This webinar was open to the entire PSI community; however, the recording is accessible only to PSI’s Members and Partners in our Resource Library.
Hanz Atia
Associate for Policy and Programs
Product Stewardship Institute
Shelly Fuller
Hazardous Materials Program Manager
Boulder County, Colorado
Jennifer Volkman
HHW Program Administrator
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Yogi Hendlin
Environmental Health Initiative
University of California