One of the trickiest waste problems that the cannabis community has to tackle is the proper disposal of electronic waste (also known as e-waste) from vape batteries and vape cartridges. In the first of our three-part series examining cannabis sustainability in Ohio, we look at disposable vapes.
The Vape Cart Problem: Environment Pays Price for Convenience
According to MJ Biz Daily, vape pens have become the second most popular way to consume cannabis in the United States after flower. The rise in popularity is partially due to convenience. However, the price the environment is paying for our convenience is quite large.
According to U.S. PIRG Education Fund, 4.5 disposable nicotine and cannabis vapes are thrown away every second in the U.S. This does not include the amount of cartridges, pods, or rechargeable batteries that are thrown away. Meanwhile the recycling rate of all e-waste, not just from vapes, in the United States is approximately 9%, which does not even compare to the amount that is consumed.
Why Can't We Recycle Used Vape Carts and Batteries?
Despite the amount of states that have passed some form of cannabis legalization, why can't we recycle our used vape cartridges and batteries in the U.S.? The main reason, like with many other issues in the cannabis industry, is legality. The rationale behind the prohibition of collecting cartridges is that the trace amounts of leftover oil could be used for black-market purposes.
Another reason we cannot recycle cartridges or batteries is because they both contain multiple components. While these components are valuable individually, it is difficult to separate them. The amount of time and specialized resources it would take to separate the components are barriers. Until the collection of such items is legal, it is difficult to make technological advancements that would make the deconstruction and recycling easier.
Ways to Be A More Eco-Consious Vaper
While the lack of recycling technology and the low recycling rates are a dismal combination, there are ways to be a more eco-conscious vaper. The first is to ditch disposable vapes and invest in a reusable battery. While this reduces the amount of e-waste you produce, it also allows you to get a higher quality device with more control over the voltage for your specific cannabis needs.
Leafly suggests taking this a step further by using a refillable cartridge or chamber. This may seem more time-consuming and less convenient, but it is worth it to reduce the amount of cartridges in a landfill.
In some cases, using a refillable chamber and only purchasing concentrate is a cheaper way to vape cannabis. When your rechargeable battery has reached the end of its life, properly dispose of it at your local household hazardous waste collection site. Doing so is in accordance with EPA guidance because it protects the health of humans and the environment.
Disposing of vape batteries at a hazardous waste collection site instead of in household garbage collection can prevent fires caused by the lithium batteries and prevent the spread of chemicals into the environment.
Looking to Future: Could U.S. Adopt Program like Canada's TerraCycle?
Will we have the ability to recycle cartridges, rechargeable batteries, and disposable vapes in the future in the United States? The Canadian sector of TerraCycle developed their Smoke-Free Free Recycling Program, which accepts batteries and cartridges for two nicotine vape brands.
It would be logical to implement a similar program in the United States not just for nicotine vapes, but also for cannabis ones. Another way to get involved is to contact your state representative and encourage them to push for the legal collection of cannabis e-waste. You can also ask them to ban disposable vapes.
Between making small changes in our vaping habits and pushing for legislation changes, we can pave the way for more responsible production and disposal of cannabis electronic waste.
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