Disposable vapes have become very popular over the last year or two, with many vapers finding them to be a handy short term vaping solution for those times when their usual vape kit may not be the most convenient option.
However, something that we as the vaping community need to bear in mind is that disposable vapes are just that, disposable. Meaning they are not the most environmentally friendly option and have the potential to contribute a lot of excess waste to landfill, especially when they are used all the time.
Fortunately, there are some disposable vape options that allow you to enjoy the convenience of a disposable vape, but in a more environmentally conscious way.
What are disposable vapes?
As the name suggests, disposable vapes are a type of single use vape which can be disposed of when empty. They come prefilled with e-liquid, with the option to choose between a variety of different flavours and possibly even different nicotine strengths depending on the brand, and also have a built-in single use battery.
These single use vapes are a completely closed system, meaning there is no access to the e-liquid chamber or the built-in battery, and they cannot be refilled or recharged. Once the device is empty, it can simply be disposed of and either replaced with a new one or with your usual vape.
These kinds of vapes are designed to be a short term option for those times when you need something small and simple and your usual vape kit might not be the best option. For example, many people like to use disposables when they go to festivals or on a night out, because it allows them to travel light and not need to carry other vaping accessories with them or have to find somewhere to charge their vape. They are also quite inexpensive when comparing a single device to a single vape kit, which means you can buy a couple to take with you, and it won’t be quite so inconvenient should one of them get lost or damaged.
Can you recycle disposable vapes?
It is estimated that there are currently 1.3 million single-use vapes being thrown away every week in the UK. Which means that the vital materials used inside these devices like lithium, copper, and steel are being lost forever to landfill.
Most disposable vape kits are not easily disassembled, but there are waste electrical components which can be recycled to recover the valuable materials from the used disposable vape batteries. However, while all disposable vapes can be recycled, this does not mean that they can be recycled with your general household waste, but instead they will need to be processed by a specialist facility.
These specialist recycling facilities have the capability to safely remove the battery from inside the vape and disassemble each disposable to recover any recyclable or reusable materials. You can find your local recycling centre which can recycle vapes through the recycle your electricals website.
Are there recyclable disposable vapes?
We all know the importance of recycling and making decisions that minimise our environmental impact, and choosing products based on their sustainability is a big part of this.
Disposable e-cigarettes actually contain some valuable materials which can be recycled and reused, which are inside the lithium batteries. They contain lithium and metal components which have many uses, including in the production of electric cars. However, because many of these devices are a completely closed system it is difficult for the built-in batteries to be removed for recycling.
Fortunately some brands offer recycling, such as Elf Bar or Lost Mary, in specialist recycling bins which can be found in Evapo vape shops.
More conscious alternatives to disposables
If you have been using disposables but are looking for an alternative that is more environmentally conscious and less wasteful, there are a few different options you can consider.
Refillable disposable vapes
Using a refillable disposable vape is a great way to cut down on the amount of devices that you dispose of, and the amount of single-use plastic you consume.
These devices can be repeatedly recharged and refilled with your favourite compatible e-liquid before they will need to be disposed of. For example, the Ohm Brew Refill Bar can be refilled up to 15 times before it will need to be replaced, which is equivalent to 15 single use disposables.
Prefilled pod kits
Another great alternative is prefilled pod kits, which are a really popular type of starter kit for new vapers.
These devices, like the Elf Bar Mate 500, have a small and compact design with a built-in battery which can be repeatedly recharged whenever needed. They are paired with prefilled pods, which are available in a variety of different flavours and click into place at the top of the vape. Once the pod is empty it can be simply thrown away and replaced with a new one, without having to replace the whole device.
Some prefilled pod kits, such as the SKE Crystal Plus, even contain the same e-liquid as your favourite disposables, so you can still enjoy the same flavours you love, without contributing so much to the waste stream.
What to do with old disposable vapes?
If you have been keeping hold of your used disposable vapes and are unsure what to do with them, we really recommend taking a look to find your local recycling point which can process vapes, as this will allow the materials in the battery to be recovered and reused.
You could also try reaching out to your local vape store as they may have a disposable vape recycling bin where you can leave your used disposables.
If you want to find out more about what other devices are available, take a look at our blog post 'Alternatives to disposable vapes'. Alternatively, you can pop in to your local Evapo vape shop or reach out to our Customer Service team.
