The Environmental Impacts of Disposable E-Cigarettes

According to a recent report by the American public interest research organization, the Education Foundation, disposable e-cigarettes are increasingly becoming a serious environmental threat. The report states that in the United States, 4.5 disposable e-cigarette products are tossed away every second. These devices cannot be refilled, are non-recyclable, and have a negative impact on the environment.

A report indicates that disposable e-cigarette devices equipped with lithium-ion batteries cannot be included in most electronic waste recycling programs. While environmental departments are willing to recycle most e-cigarettes, they will not do so for disposable e-cigarettes because the batteries cannot be removed. Even after disposal, the Environmental Protection Agency still considers them hazardous waste due to their nicotine e-liquid content.

Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent warning letters to nearly 200 retailers selling unauthorized products, including ElfBar and EscoBar, which are brands of disposable e-cigarettes.

A report indicates that large nationwide chain stores such as 7-11, British Petroleum, ExxonMobil, and Chevron have locations where they sell these unauthorized disposable e-cigarettes.

According to a report and statistical data, the rechargeable batteries found in disposable e-cigarettes contain more than 23 tons of lithium each year. If this lithium were not used in e-cigarette batteries, it could be utilized to manufacture batteries for over 26,000 electric vehicles.

References

Vape Disposal: Examining the Environmental Consequences of Disposable Vapes