RECYCLING E-CIGARETTE COMPONENTS
As some of you may know, we have already reported on the benefits that e-cigarettes would bring to the environment by reducing or eliminating cigarette butt litter. While all of the benefits are still true (less cigarette butts = less chemicals being leeched into the earth and fewer animals being poisoned, not to mention less chemicals in the air), the concerns about e-cigarette components becoming a part of the problem still linger.
One problem is that people are unaware of how to properly dispose of their worn out e-cigarette components correctly and they are ending up in our landfills.
Mark Hall, commercial manager of a waste management company called Business Waste, feels that “Users don’t know how to recycle their vaping waste. So it’s slipping through the net and ending up in general waste that’s destined for landfill, and that’s something we’re keen to avoid.”
When e-cigarette batteries and empty e-liquid cartridges (and bottles) are disposed of improperly, they can pose similar dangers to the environment as cigarette butts. Therefore, we need to educate vapers on the proper way to recycle these items!
How-to Recycle E-cigarette Batteries and E-Liquid Bottles
If you’ve been stumped as to how to recycle your e-cigarette components, here are some suggestions.
E-Cigarette Batteries
You have a couple options when it comes to recycling e-cigarette batteries.
1. Call2Recycle has a program where you can search your ZIP code for companies in your area that recycle rechargeable batteries.
2.Best Buy stores typically have a kiosk at the front of their stores that accept electronic recyclables. You should confirm with your local Best Buy before bringing batteries; however, they seem to collect all types of e-waste.
E-Liquid Bottles
If your e-liquid comes in a glass bottle, congrats – you can recycle it the way you recycle any glass! For e-liquid in plastic bottles, you should check the bottom and recycle it the way the number indicates. Chances are your neighborhood already accepts that kind of plastic and you can recycle them with regular household recycling. For the safety of recycling center workers, you should always rinse out your e-liquid bottles before placing them in the recycling.