Millions of people have stopped smoking traditional cigarettes and have begun using vape pens as a safer alternative to smoking. The positive impact on health is clear as vape pens do not produce two of the most harmful products found in tobacco smoke: tar and carbon monoxide.
So, whilst vape pens are much better for people and their health than smoking tobacco, what is the impact of vaping on the environment?
Disposable Vape Pens
Disposable vape pens are non-rechargeable devices that come ready-filled with e-liquid. On average, a disposable vape pen will provide around 300 puffs, similar to a packet of 20 traditional cigarettes. For a pack-a-day smoker, that is, simply put, one pen a day, or 365 pens every year! For someone using just one disposable vape pen per week, 52 devices will still be binned throughout one year, causing a massive amount of waste.
Vape pens designed for single use make up a considerable volume of waste sent to landfills. Some pens can also leak and release metals, battery acid and nicotine into the environment. This waste can contaminate water and animal habitats, making them unsafe for their inhabitants.
Plastic can also take up to 1000 years to decompose, meaning that millions of disposable vape pens will be polluting the earth for generations to come. The plastic crisis is one of the biggest challenges the world has seen, and every single year more than 14 million tonnes of plastic ends up in the world’s oceans, causing damage to habitats, wildlife, and water.
Make the Switch to Reusable, Re-chargeable Vape Pens
By making the switch from disposable vape pens to reusable, re-chargeable vape pens, you’ll make a positive reduction in non-recyclable material ending up in landfill.
On average, reusable vape pens will last over two years before they need replacing. This means the average smoker will dispose of one reusable vape pen roughly every other year, compared with anywhere from 52 to 365 disposable vape pens in a single year! This is a dramatic reduction in waste and will drastically cut down on the adverse environmental effects from the disposal of disposable vape pens.
Dispose of Vape Pens and Components Properly
To further minimise the impact of vape pens on the environment, it’s vital to dispose of them properly once their lifespan has come to an end. Be sure to check the rules and regulations in your area for proper disposal of plastic and batteries and recycle the components you can. Correctly disposing of these products is your responsibility as a consumer.