United States: Millions of unrecycled puffs end up in the trash

An investigation by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism[1], based on a survey conducted by the Truth Initiative among 2,700 young Americans, aged 15 to 24,[2] revealed that in the United States, every second, five disposable e-cigarettes (puffs) are thrown into the trash, even though they contain reusable lithium-ion batteries and should follow a specific recycling process. Over the course of a year, this waste represents 150 million devices, which contain enough lithium for about 6,000 Teslas.

Most disposable e-cigarettes, known as “puffs,” contain a rechargeable battery but no charging port and are designed to be thrown away once the battery is exhausted. The rapid growth of these products poses a new environmental problem. They are produced in large quantities and contain batteries composed of heavy metals, electronic circuits, plastic and residues of liquids and nicotine that become massive and dangerous sources of waste. When they are poorly recycled or abandoned in nature, they decompose, releasing microplastics, thus polluting waterways, fauna or flora.

A previous UK survey by the Bureau found that two disposable e-cigarettes were thrown into the bin every second in the UK, representing enough lithium to make around 1,200 electric car batteries in a year.[3].

A product popular with young people and poorly recycled by them

The Truth Initiative survey found that more than half of 15-24 year-olds who vape use disposable devices. More than two-thirds (68%) dispose of their used devices directly in the household trash, 13 % in regular recycling bins, 9 % threw them on the ground, and only 8 % sent them to a suitable electronics recycling facility. With 19 % of current vapers in the country disposing of five or more puffs in the trash each month, these devices are piling up and contributing to a growing global e-waste problem.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told the Bureau of Investigative Journalism that vapes are wrongly thrown away in the household trash because they are often labeled as “disposable.” This leads to the entire device, including its battery, being thrown away in the trash. Lithium-ion batteries are defined as hazardous waste due to their toxic nature and propensity to catch fire when damaged. Despite this, it is perfectly legal to throw these batteries in the trash in the United States. In the European Union, e-cigarettes must be recycled through specialized recycling.

Manufacturers provide no guidance on how to properly recycle puffs

According to Truth, e-cigarette manufacturers are failing to adequately inform consumers about how to safely and environmentally dispose of their products. For Puff Bar, the most popular puff brand in the United States, there is no guidance on its website regarding recycling of these products.

Federal guidelines for disposing of vaping products are limited and focused on refillable devices with removable components. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises users not to dispose of components, e-liquid waste, or pods in the trash, and says that these wastes should be taken to hazardous waste facilities, and removed batteries should be sent to certified electronic battery recyclers. This guidance does not apply to disposable devices: Removing the liquid container and lithium batteries from disposable devices is dangerous, as punctured batteries can easily start a chemical fire and e-liquids can contaminate the environment.

To address these issues, Truth recommends that the EPA and FDA develop federal regulatory guidance to require vaping product manufacturers to develop waste management processes and recycling programs and provide penalties for industry noncompliance. For disposable devices, the agency wants to ban the sale of these products at the state and local levels. Some localities have already done so, including Monterey, Monterey County and San Benito County in California.

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