The Environmental Impact of Disposable Vapes
Disposable vapes fuel the booming e-cigarette industry; these sleek, fashionable devices appeal to our single-use society. Discussions about the dangers of disposable vapes tend to focus on the health aspect, which leaves little room for the environment. Regardless of whether the media pays attention, Americans buy around 12 million disposable devices per month, most of which end up in landfills.
So, what harmful effects can vaping or using other tobacco products have on the environment?
Disposable Vape Stats in the U.S.
In 2023, the CDC partnered with Truth Initiative to release a new study in the CDC’s weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report. It examined the e-cigarette market in the U.S. from January 2020 to December 2022.
It found a 46.6% increase in total e-cigarette unit sales, with the top-selling e-cigarette brands being Vuse JUUL, Elf Bar, NJOY, and Breeze Smoke.
A study from 2022 examined which age groups are more likely to use disposable e-cigarettes.
·39.1% of 13 – 20-year-olds
·36.9% of 21 – 24-year-olds
·34.5% of 25 – 40-year-olds
Similar studies yield similar results. One thing is clear; young people in the U.S. are fueling the growing disposable vape industry, making them partly responsible for the environmental impact of these unassuming devices.
What Is in Disposable Vapes?
What would you see if you sliced a disposable e-cig down the middle?
·Atomizer: Atomizers house the heating elements, also known as the coil and wick.
·Battery: A single battery (often lithium-ion) powers the device and heats the e-liquid.
·E-liquid: Propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) are carefully mixed to be compatible with either mouth-to-lung (MTL) or direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping.
·Mouthpiece: Typically shaped like a duck’s bill, the ergonomic mouthpiece allows you to easily inhale vapor.
·Wick: Wicks are super absorbent, creating a bridge between the e-liquid and the coil.
There is much more to vape devices than meets the eye. To be successful, the recycling process has to consider the best course of action for each element, which could explain why recycling infrastructure for e-cigarettes is so lacking.
When we know what’s inside disposable e-cigarettes, it’s easy to see why they might harm the environment. From the plastic components to the viscous e-liquid, there are a lot of obstacles in the way of a truly environmentally friendly disposable vape.
Complex Recycling Processes
With all the separate components requiring different care, the question arises, can you recycle disposable vapes?
The answer is yes, but it isn’t that simple. To properly recycle disposable e-cigs, you need to break down all the components and dispose of them individually.
Officials have only recently started to create infrastructure to recycle disposable vapes. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) centers and bins will dismantle and dispose of e-cigarettes free of charge. Some retailers will even dispose of your devices for you.
Regardless, the fact remains that very few people recycle disposable vapes. Those in rural parts of America have to drive for miles to get to their nearest vape shop or WEEE center, and besides, guidance for disposing of vapes is sparse, leaving most consumers feeling confused about the process.
E-Waste Crisis
E-waste is a hot topic. According to The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, young people in the U.S. throw away five disposable vapes every second. In 2022, that amounted to 150 million devices and enough lithium to power 6,000 Teslas. We’ll return to the problem of lithium-ion batteries later.
From 2010 to 2022, global e-waste increased by 82%. In the Global E-Waste Monitor for 2024, researchers speculate that this type of waste will rise a further 33% by 2030.
The report also found that small electronic gadgets (toys, vacuum cleaners, disposable vapes) have one of the lowest recycling rates. Despite accounting for almost a third of all e-waste, small electronics are only recycled 12% of the time.
Toxic Metals
Yet another problem with disposable e-cigarettes is that they contain toxic metals.
Recent studies have found that e-cigarette users are exposed to toxic metals such as arsenic, chromium, nickel, and lead. Much of the response to this research centers around the medical implications, with little consideration for the ecological perspective.
Here’s how these metals can impact the environment.
·Arsenic. The most common arsenic compounds dissolve in water, meaning disposable vapes can contaminate underground drinking water supplies, lakes, rivers, and whatever animals reside in them.
·Chromium. Several studies agree that chromium negatively affects plant metabolic activities, reducing crop growth and yield.
·Nickel. Excessive amounts of nickel can have an adverse effect on plants and animals.
·Lead. Lead has various negative effects, including polluting soil, water, and air.
Researchers speculate that toxic metals are released when the coil heats the e-liquid. Still, studies like this give us reason to believe that disposable vapes could still pose a threat to the environment, even when they are inactive in a landfill.
The Lithium-ion Battery Problem
In the mid-2010s, disposable e-cigarette manufacturers replaced traditional lead-acid batteries with lithium-ion batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries have high currents and energy density. One of the biggest benefits of lithium-ion batteries is that they have lower self-discharge rates than other batteries, meaning they can sit on shelves for longer without degrading.
You can find lithium-ion batteries in all sorts of common electric devices, including phones, tablets, and power tools. Considering that this type of battery is rechargeable, it makes sense to use it in common household appliances and gadgets.
It makes less sense to use lithium-ion batteries in single-use disposable e-cigs, especially when we consider the devastating environmental impact.
Environmental Impact of Lithium-ion Batteries
Consumers might benefit from lithium-ion batteries, but environmental activists constantly criticize the lack of sustainability. The main method of lithium extraction is through brine extraction. To access salt flat brines, vape manufacturers rehome communities, destroy natural habitats, and corrupt water sources.
This all happens before mining begins. When manufacturers start their machines, they pollute the air, disrupt sea life, and inject all sorts of chemicals into water sources. One industry expert stated that for every ton of lithium mined, 15 tons of CO2 are released into the atmosphere.
Unlike other electrics that contain lithium-ion batteries, disposable e-cigs are thrown away after one use. And, as I mentioned before, American youths throw away enough disposable e-cigs to power 6,000 Teslas each year.
The effects of throwing disposables in landfill sites are so broad and varied that the existing research can’t encompass them. For now, all we can do is wait and watch as disposable vapes wreak havoc on natural habitats, pollute the air, and destroy habitats.
Advocacy for Ban
Why recycle disposable vapes when you can ban them entirely? Thankfully, the FDA has already banned disposable e-cigs. Unfortunately, the ban has done little to stop people in the U.S. from getting their nicotine fix.
Senator Dick Durbin is one of the biggest advocates against disposable e-cigarettes and often makes headlines for criticizing the FDA. According to him, the FDA is not doing enough to stop the trade of illicit e-cigarettes in the U.S.
Advocacy for banning disposable vapes is growing, highlighting the need for stricter regulation and enforcement to protect the environment.
“Faced with an alarming rise in youth vaping, leaders in the UK, France, and Australia are finally acting to protect children,” said Durbin. “Meanwhile in America, the FDA’s failed leadership refuses to regulate and use its public health tools. The consequence is Big Tobacco peddling unauthorized and flavored e-cigarettes to children, addicting millions of new customers, and exposing school kids to a cloud of harmful vapor. It’s embarrassing that the U.S. lags far behind other countries while the FDA delays and delays enforcement to protect American kids.”
While senators like Dick Durbin continue to fight against vaping, various anti-vape campaign groups and organizations seek to raise awareness about the environmental impact.
One of the most prominent campaigns is Vapes Are Trash, funded and fueled by Parents Against Vaping. The campaign states that “e-cigarettes are part of an industry with a decades-long history of exploiting people and the environment”, and draws particular attention to the ethical and environmental problems surrounding lithium-ion batteries.
The Environmental Impact of Disposable E-Cigarettes at a Glance
The desire for effortless, rapid nicotine consumption has a much wider impact than any one vaper could imagine. Disposable e-cigarettes pose a threat to habitats, water supplies, and disadvantaged communities across the globe. At every stage of the supply chain, disposables negatively impact the environment.
The disposable e-cig ban is already in place, so what’s next? If the FDA wants to lessen the environmental burden of disposable devices, it needs to crack down on the booming illicit vape trade in the U.S.
FAQ’s:
What are disposable vapes and why are they popular?
Disposable vapes are single-use e-cigarettes designed for convenience. They are sleek, fashionable, and appeal to the modern preference for disposable products. These devices require no maintenance or refilling, making them attractive to many users, especially young people.
What impact do vapes have on the environment?
Vapes contain metals that can take many years to decompose, contributing to long-term environmental pollution. They also have plastic components, which do not biodegrade and can break down into microplastics, contaminating our food and drinking water.
What are the effects of disposable vapes?
While e-cigarettes are considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes, they still pose health risks. The long-term effects of vaping are not yet fully understood, but there are concerns about potential respiratory and cardiovascular issues, as well as the impact of inhaling various chemicals.
Are disposable vapes eco-friendly?
No, disposable vapes are not eco-friendly. They contribute to significant waste due to their single-use nature. Traditional disposable products can take up to several hundred years to decompose, and the same applies to disposable vapes, which add to the growing problem of electronic waste.
What is the carbon footprint of disposable vapes?
The total emissions associated with disposable vapes are substantial. For example, in Scotland alone, the emissions are equivalent to adding approximately 2,100 cars on the road. This highlights the significant environmental impact of manufacturing, distributing, and disposing of disposable vapes.
Are disposable vapes OK for you?
Despite being marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, disposable vapes are not entirely safe. They contain chemicals and substances that pose health risks, particularly with long-term use. It’s important to consider these risks when evaluating the safety of using disposable vapes.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. This information is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company. The author, who is not a medical professional, writes this blog post without intending to offer medical advice or replace advice or treatment from a personal physician.
This blog post discusses tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and related substances, intended solely for adult use and potentially harmful to health. We advise all readers/users of this content to quit smoking and/or vaping, or to consult a doctor before starting or continuing to smoke and/or vape.