Monroe County becomes first in US to recycle e-cigarettes

Aug.09.2022
Monroe County becomes first in US to recycle e-cigarettes
Monroe County becomes the first in New York and the US to accept and recycle e-cigarettes and e-liquids.

Monroe County has become the first in New York and the entire United States to accept and recycle electronic cigarettes and vaping products. These items can be disposed of in the household hazardous waste area of Monroe County's Ecopark. Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced on Monday that the county's Department of Environmental Services is partnering with waste management company Clean Harbors to collect and safely dispose of used e-cigarette devices and e-liquids at the managed Ecopark located at 10 Avion Drive.


According to county executive Belo, electronic cigarettes are not only a public health issue but also an environmental problem. E-cigarette pens, devices, and e-liquids are considered hazardous waste and should not be discarded. Monroe County is proud to lead the way in New York by taking action to prevent these products from harming our environment.


The product and the liquid used in it are considered hazardous and should not be thrown away in the garbage. Monroe County is the first county in the country to properly dispose of electronic cigarette equipment. These products will be recycled and converted into renewable energy.


They will be shipped to a facility outside the state where they will be converted into energy. This is called the waste-to-energy process, effectively burning the material and recovering metal from the process," said Michael Galarno, Director of Environmental Services for Monroe County.


The recycling service will take place twice a week. At the Monroe County Waste Management Ecopark, the public can participate without the need for an appointment and without any charge for receiving electronic cigarettes and pods.


County Executive Belo announced that the Monroe County Department of Health and Environmental Services will accept the school district's electronic cigarette devices. These devices will be properly disposed of through the county's Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator program. To participate, BOCES training schools, public school districts, and private schools will need to fill out a CESQG form and submit it to the Family Hazardous Waste Facility at the Ecopark.


The Monroe County School Supervision Committee expresses great satisfaction with the new electronic cigarette disposal service provided by the county. E-cigarettes have become prevalent among students in the area, resulting in the confiscation of a significant number of devices. The district now has a much-needed service to safely and properly dispose of these devices. "This is a vital service for our district," said Dr. Casey Kosiorek, Chairman of the Monroe County School Supervision Committee.


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