Vape Recycling: Addressing the Growing Waste Problem Responsibly

As the use of disposable vapes has risen in many parts of the world, a significant environmental challenge has been created. Millions of these devices are now sold each year, and the improper disposal of them at the end of their lives creates several environmental problems, as well as issues of public safety. Novus Environmental offers an effective and scalable solution to the problem of vape waste, ensuring that these hazardous and unsightly materials are collected and disposed of responsibly and in full compliance with environmental standards.

The Problems Caused by Disposable Vapes

Vape products contain several materials that can harm the environment if they are simply discarded or improperly disposed of. These devices often include:

Plastics: The plastics used in the construction of vapes and their cartridges are non-biodegradable and can linger in the environment for decades or even centuries.

Metals: Materials like aluminium, copper and steel can be recycled, so simply discarding or improperly disposing of vape products is a waste of limited resources.

Batteries: Vapes are usually powered by lithium-ion batteries, which can harm the environment if breached and pose a fire hazard if mishandled, making proper disposal critical.

Residual E-liquid: Remaining liquids in vape cartridges can be hazardous to ecosystems due to their chemical composition, especially residual nicotine.

These challenges mean that the safe and proper collection, disassembly, separation and processing of vape materials is vital. And this requires experienced and professional waste management services.

Our Solution: Safe Collection and Responsible Disposal

Novus Environmental provides an efficient, effective and compliant service for collecting vape waste products to mitigate environmental damage and safety risks. These services and processes are in full compliance with all relevant regulations. Our service does not involve processing such waste on our site, but we work with our network of carefully-chosen suppliers and partners. This ensures that when we send collected materials away fro processing and material recovery that this is done in full compliance to standards that we are proud to put our name to.

The Recycling Process

Disassembly: Vape cartridges are dismantled to separate materials such as glass, metal and plastic.

Hazardous Liquid Removal: Cartridges and bottles are cleaned, with residual e-liquid being removed, separated and disposed of.

Material Cleaning: Materials are cleaned before being sent off for further processing.

Material Recovery and Reuse

Glass: Glass can be recycled into new products, combined to make fibreglass or repurposed into glass-based insulation and other building materials.

Metals: Metals can be recovered, processed, melted down and reused for making new components.

Plastics: Depending on their exact composition and condition, plastics can either be recycled or incinerated for energy recovery.

Battery Metals: Extracted and purified using hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical processes, allowing them to be reused in new batteries or other metal applications.