E-Cigarettes

Illegal in Garbage & Drains
Hazardous Waste Recycle With E-Waste

FREE Household Hazardous and Electronic Waste Collection Event December 21, 2024

Saturday, December 21, 2024

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Get Reminder

E-cigarettes, or vapes, are made up of multiple components, including a lithium ion battery, a cartridge holding the flavored nicotine, and a heating element. Nicotine is considered an acute hazardous waste and should never be disposed of in the trash. Lithium batteries and heating elements should be treated as e-waste and kept out of trash, recycling, and organics collection containers. 

sink drain

E-Liquid Is Hazardous Waste

E-liquid contains liquid nicotine, which is a harsh chemical and hazardous waste. If you have leftover e-liquid, do not pour it down the drain. Dispose of it as hazardous waste.

e-cig battery, charger, atomizer

Batteries, Chargers and Atomizers Are E-Waste

The batteries, chargers and atomizers of e-cigarettes contain nonrenewable metals and chemicals that are toxic to landfills, so recycle them as e-waste. Find out how to properly dispose of e-waste.

Ways to Reduce

Refill Cartridges Yourself

Instead of using disposable cartridges, use refillable cartridges or an e-cig tank so that you create less waste. Be sure to follow product instructions and wear gloves when handling liquid nicotine.

Did You Know?

Are E-Cigarettes More Eco-Friendly?

Many e-cigarette manufacturers claim their product is an environmental solution to traditional cigarettes, because e-cigarettes can be reused and certain parts can be recycled. But are they really better? It’s not yet clear, but e-cigarettes introduce new problems with pollution in their manufacturing and disposal. Read more from Recycle Nation and the National Center for Biotechnology Information.