Vapes

Vapes, mods, tank systems, e-cigs and vape pens are all forms of e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes). They should never be put in household recycling or garbage bins. 

Warning!

Vapes are a hazardous waste item because they contain a lithium-ion battery (which is a fire risk) and potentially harmful chemicals in the e-liquid. Used vapes that contain a battery should not be put in household recycling or garbage bins.

How to recycle vapes

Vapes should never be put in your recycling or garbage bin at home or work (they are a fire hazard). Vapes can only be recycled or disposed of through specialised programs or services.

Here are some options for recycling and safely disposing of vapes.

  1. Many councils have set up drop-off locations for vapes so they can be safely disposed of or recycled. Contact your council directly or scroll down for a list of known locations.
  2. If you have a reuseable vape (vapes that can be recharged and the battery can be easily removed), you can safely dispose of its components (cartridge, reusable pod and e-liquid) through the Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) Program at participating pharmacies (call the pharmacy to check they are accepted before dropping it off). You must remove the battery and recycle that separately at a battery drop-off point.
  3. Some commercial recyclers or recycling collection services will accept vapes, however, there is often a fee. Scroll down for a list of known services.
  4. If you cannot find a drop-off location or service in your area, contact your council for guidance on how to dispose of vapes.

Please note: the lithium-ion batteries inside single-use/disposable vapes (i.e. vapes that cannot be recharged) are highly flammable and can explode. Planet Ark does not recommend removing the battery from single-use vapes if you do not have appropriate protective equipment and experience.

Canberra recycling options for vapes:

  • Canberra has two resource management centres that residents can use to drop off their hazardous waste. All kinds of vapes are accepted at these centres for safe disposal.
Sydney and NSW recycling options for vapes:

  • The NSW EPA has commenced a trial recycling program for embedded batteries in NSW. Vapes are included in the trial, as well as other electrical goods that contain batteries that are hard to remove such as electric toothbrushes. Visit the NSW EPA website for a list of locations.
  • City of Sydney residents can drop off all kinds of vapes at Recycling Stations (located at numerous libraries and community centres across Sydney), the Ultimo Recycling Pop-up and Recycle It Saturday events.
  • For residents in some council areas in Sydney, RecycleSmart offers a recycling pick-up service that includes single-use and reusable vapes. Some councils pay for this service so it is free for their residents, while others will need to pay to recycle their vapes.
  • Residents of the Hunter district (Newcastle) have free access to vape recycling at the Summerhill Waste Management Centre. All kinds of vapes are accepted (maximum of ten vapes per visit).
  • SPC eCycle and Ecocycle have recycling facilities in Sydney that accept all kinds of vapes from the public and businesses, however, there is a fee.

Melbourne recycling options for vapes:

Perth recycling options for vapes:

  • If you’re located in the Perth metropolitan area, Perth Chemical Specialists will recycle vapes for a fee, but as they are a small team there is a minimum quantity they will accept (minimum spend including collection is $165), making it unfeasible for the average person. Jamieson’s clientele are mostly schools that need to dispose of large quantities of vapes that have been confiscated from students.
  • Ecocycle’s Perth facility accepts all kinds of vapes for recycling from the public and businesses, however, there is a fee and a minimum spend of $100. 

Brisbane and the Gold Coast recycling options for vapes:

  • EcoSig have more than 50 free drop-off locations for all kinds of vapes in Toowoomba, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Use the contact form on their website to find a location near you.

All other areas of Australia:

  • Ecocycle accepts all kinds of vapes for recycling from the public and businesses, however, there is a fee and a minimum spend of $100. Ecocycle has facilities in Adelaide, Brisbane, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and Auckland in New Zealand.
  • Some councils may accept vapes at Community Recycling Centres or at recycling drop-off events – check directly with your council. 

What are the environmental impacts of vapes?

When vapes are thrown away and sent to landfill, so are the valuable and finite materials used to make them like lithium and aluminium. Vapes also contain toxic substances (such as the e-liquids or ‘vape juice’ which contain all sorts of chemicals), and these hazardous materials can make their way into our environment and waterways when vapes are littered or dumped in landfill. 

While there is little Australia-specific data available on vape waste, the United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR) estimates 844 million vapes were discarded in 2022. In the UK alone, its estimated two disposable vapes are thrown away every second. Over a year, this is enough lithium (from the batteries) to make approximately 1,200 electric car batteries.

Clean Up Australia has reported an increase in the number of vapes littered in beaches, streets, and parks. It estimates one in five clean-up sites found at least one vape in 2023. 

What’s better for the environment – reusable or single-use vapes?

Using a vape of any kind is harmful to the environment, as is any product that is technically unnecessary. However, many people rely on vapes to kick their cigarette habit or to relieve stress and anxiety (despite evidence vaping has negative health impacts).

If you need or want to use a vape, a reusable/rechargeable vape with a removable battery is a better option than a single-use vape because it is easier to recycle and safely dispose of its various components. Unfortunately, not all Australians will have access to safe disposal and recycling services for single-use vapes. Reusable vapes allow you to easily remove the battery, which means the vape components that are potentially toxic (e-liquids, cartridges and pods) can be safely disposed of at participating pharmacies and the battery can be recycled at battery drop-off points.

Reusing the same vape again and again also creates less waste and requires fewer valuable materials to be extracted from the ground than single-use vapes. And reducing the production of new vapes by reusing the same one multiple times means less water is used and fewer greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere. 

Are vapes banned in Australia?

From 1 July 2024, all nicotine vapes in Australia are regulated as therapeutic goods. This means they are only available at pharmacies to help people quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence. It is illegal for any other business, such as tobacconists, vape shops and convenience stores, to sell any type of vape or vape product.  

From 1 October 2024, people 18 years or over will be able to purchase therapeutic vapes directly from a pharmacy without a prescription. People under 18 will still need a prescription to access vapes, where state and territory laws allow it, to ensure they get appropriate medical advice and supervision.

More information

Find out more about vape recycling in this article - Can vapes be recycled?

Discover how to recycle other types of e-waste including computers, televisions and batteries.