How to recycle vapes

Vapes contain batteries hidden within them. When single-use or rechargeable vapes are binned or incorrectly disposed of, they can get crushed or damaged in bin lorries and recycling centres and start fires.

Vapes and their batteries can be safely recycled at a dedicated electrical / battery recycling point. Please always ensure the devices are empty of e-liquid prior to disposal.

Never bin vapes in your general waste collection (usually a black bin), and only dispose of them via a kerbside recycling collection if your district council offers a dedicated kerbside collection service for small electrical items and batteries (currently Blaby and Melton offer this service).

Rechargeable vapes

Recycle the battery separately if it’s removable. If you can remove the battery, drop this in a dedicated ‘battery recycling’ bin at your local supermarket or recycling and household waste site and put the rest of the vape in a ‘vape recycling’ bin (check at your nearest vape shop). If there isn’t a separate bin for vapes, recycle yours with other small electricals. If you can’t remove the battery, recycle the whole thing with small electricals at your local recycling and household waste site. Find recycling locations at: https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/how-to-recycle-electronics/what-electronics-can-be-recycled/recycle-vapes/

Single-use vapes

Leave the battery inside and recycle the whole thing. Drop into the ‘vape recycling’ bin (check at your nearest vape shop) or if there isn’t a separate bin for vapes recycle yours with other small electricals at your local recycling and household waste site. Find locations at: https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/how-to-recycle-electronics/what-electronics-can-be-recycled/recycle-vapes/

On average, five million disposable vapes are thrown away each week in the UK. Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries. If all the lithium from these devices in the UK each year was used, it would be equivalent to the battery power of 5,000 electric vehicles.