How to dispose of vapes: the do’s and don’ts
While it might be easier to just throw your disposable vape in your kitchen bin and forget about it, doing so is really harmful for the environment. Not only that, but it’s also a large safety issue for you and your family.
You might have been vaping for years and not realised you were disposing of your vapes incorrectly until now. That’s where we come in. Today, we’ll discuss all of the issues that arise from incorrect vape disposal and how to correctly get rid of your vapes.
Why proper vape disposal matters
Recent research shows adults in the UK buy around 30 million vapes a month, and about 5 million disposable vapes are thrown away every week.
With vaping becoming more popular than smoking, that’s a lot of people who don’t know how to correctly dispose of a vape. In fact, only a small percentage actually end up in recycling bins; the rest end up in landfills.
The real danger lies in the fact that disposable vapes include lithium-ion batteries. These vape devices can short-circuit or ignite if they are crushed by compactors or sorting machines. That, in turn, leads to at least one fire per day at waste disposal sites, putting workers at risk.
Since disposable vapes also contain chemicals, any leftover nicotine e-liquid is toxic to the environment if leaked into soil or waterways.
Facts about vape waste
- While people in the UK go through hundreds of millions of vapes annually, only 17% are recycled correctly.
- Vapes contain metals (copper, lithium) that can be recycled and reused. In fact, the amount of lithium combined from vapes disposed of is enough to power an estimated 5,000 electric car batteries.
- In 2025, waste firms reported that around 339 fires were caused at 300 disposal sites by lithium batteries from vapes.
- Around 1.3 million vapes end up in UK landfills each week.
The do’s: how to dispose of vapes safely
So, what is the proper way to dispose of vapes?
- Use official e-waste bins: Take your used vapes to a local WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) recycling bin. Make sure each component is separated and recycled according to material.
- Return them to electronics stores: In the UK, any electronics retailer over 400 m² in size must take back small WEEE items like vapes. This includes popular names like ASDA and Tesco.
- Return them back to the vape shop: You can also return your vape back to the store you bought it from. Most retailers now have dedicated collection boxes for old devices, and they must accept used vapes by law.
- Keep parts separate and contained: Before you recycle them, store old vapes in a sealed plastic bag or box to prevent leaks or battery hazards.
The don’ts: what NOT to do with used vapes
Most of these will be common knowledge to experienced vapers, but you might be unknowingly putting yourself at risk by doing the following:
- Don’t burn or puncture them at home: A lot of people burn old rubbish and plastic, but it’s important that you don’t try to burn old vapes. Doing so can cause them to explode, release harmful fumes, or expose you to toxic residue.
- Don’t pour old e-liquid down the drain: It can be tempting to pour old e-liquid down the sink to get rid of it quickly, but doing so can harm people, pets, and wildlife. That’s because nicotine is a toxic substance, so it needs to be disposed of correctly.
- Don’t dismantle them yourself: Apart from maybe removing a removable battery, avoid taking apart the whole device. Modern vapes often have glued or soldered parts that can irritate skin, and throwing old batteries into a household bin is a serious fire risk.
Should all vapes be disposed of the same way?
All vapes count as electrical waste (WEEE), so you shouldn’t put any of them in your normal household or recycling bin.
However, there are different rules and regulations for recycling different types of vape products, including individual parts.
1. Disposable / single-use vapes (built-in battery)
Since disposable vapes contain lithium-ion batteries and electrical parts, you can’t recycle them as a whole into a battery recycling bin.
Instead, you can take it back to the shop you bought it from so they can recycle it for you, or take it to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) and place it in the small electricals/WEEE bins.
2. Rechargeable pod kits and refillable devices (built-in or removable battery)
The correct way to dispose of rechargeable vapes depends on whether the battery is removable.
If it’s removable, take the battery out and recycle it at a battery recycling point, then recycle the device body as small electricals (WEEE). If the battery isn’t removable, recycle the whole device as small electricals.
3. Pods, coils, and parts
These small components may contain metal, residue, or electrical components, so it’s important that you don’t just throw them into an average recycling bin.
Instead, you can take them back to the shop and ask to have them disposed of through a take-back scheme. The shop will then be able to sort and dispose of them on your behalf.
You can also recycle pods and inserts containing e-liquid with vape casings rather than recycling them with ordinary plastic. You can find more information about recycling vape parts here.
How to find vape recycling points in your area
As we previously mentioned, most large stores and vape shops are permitted to accept old vape parts for recycling. Many actually have battery drop-off points near the front of their stores.
However, most councils also handle e-cigarette waste like other batteries and electronics. You can check online to see if your local council or recycling centre accepts vapes as part of their battery recycling or HHW (household hazardous waste) programmes.
Vape responsibly with Juicemate
At juicemate, we have a wide range of reusable vape kits, from vape pods to tanks, reducing waste and providing you with a device that lasts longer.
Our starter kits are ideal for those who want to start their vaping journey on the right foot. These come with replaceable pods or coils that you can refill with our e-liquids.
With various flavours and devices to choose from, you can find something that supports all of your needs. Just make sure to recycle them properly once you’re done!