Vapes – Recycling Safely in Ireland
Europe recorded 274 million e-cigarette and vape unit sales in 2023 with approximately 90% of all e-cigarettes sold into the EU coming from China.
Only 6% of vapes sold in Ireland are returned for recycling, leaving over 20 million units improperly discarded in bins or the environment, according to data from WEEE Ireland. Its important to note the risks of improperly vapes disposed
Greenpeace say, animals are attracted to the sweet, fruity scents of discarded vape liquids. Chewing or swallowing the devices exposes wildlife and pets to high doses of nicotine, heavy metals (like lead and mercury), and toxic battery acid.
The Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) reported that battery-related fires in bin lorries and recycling plants cost members tens of millions of euros over recent years.
The Marine Conservation Society say, if you use vapes, the best thing you can do for the environment is to switch from single-use to a reusable alternative.
Used electronic vapes should be recycled safely and never dropped on the street, thrown from a car window, placed in a general waste bin or forgotten in a drawer at home. Although a vape may be small, it is an electronic device containing a battery, plastics, metals and other components. In Ireland, vapes and e-cigarettes are classified as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) when they reach the end of their useful life, meaning they should be recycled through the proper system rather than treated as ordinary rubbish.
Vapes and Batteries
One of the biggest reasons for recycling used vapes is the risk posed by their batteries. Many vaping devices contain lithium batteries. If a vape is put into a general waste bin, it can be crushed or damaged during waste collection and processing. Damaged batteries can short-circuit, overheat and, in some circumstances, cause fires. This creates a serious risk for waste workers, members of the public and waste facilities. The Irish Government has specifically warned that disposable vaping devices should not be placed in household bins because of these risks.
Throwing vapes onto roads or pavements is also unacceptable. A discarded electronic cigarette. becomes litter and can remain in the environment long after it has been used. Its plastic casing and electronic components do not simply disappear. Litter can be carried into drains, rivers and other waterways, while batteries and electronic components can introduce unwanted materials into the environment. Ireland has already identified discarded vapes as an emerging litter problem, particularly around places such as schools and music events.
Throwing a vape from a car window is particularly irresponsible. Apart from creating litter, it can create a road safety hazard. A driver or pedestrian could encounter the device unexpectedly, and a battery-powered object being thrown onto a road or hard surface can be damaged. There is simply no good reason to dispose of a used vape in this way when free recycling options are available.
Keeping used vapes in a drawer at home may seem harmless, but it only delays the problem. A drawer full of old electronic devices is not a recycling solution. Used electronic cigarette. should be kept safely and taken to an appropriate collection point rather than forgotten about indefinitely. If a device is damaged or leaking, extra care should be taken and advice from an appropriate recycling facility should be followed.
Vapes for Recycling
The good news is that recycling used vapes in Ireland is straightforward and free. Vapes can be brought to participating retailers, WEEE collection points and local authority Civic Amenity Sites. www.mywaste.ie advises that if the battery can be safely removed, it should be recycled separately; if it cannot be removed, the whole device should be recycled. For rechargeable devices, the liquid tank should be removed before recycling.
Vape Parts and Materials
- Battery: A rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides power to the device.
- Coil or Heater: A small metal part, usually made from materials such as stainless steel or nichrome, that heats the liquid.
- Wick: Usually made from cotton or another absorbent material. It soaks up the liquid and carries it to the coil.
- Tank, Pod, or Cartridge: Holds the liquid and is usually made from plastic, glass, metal, or a combination of these materials.
- Mouthpiece: The part where the user inhales the aerosol. It is usually made from plastic but can also be made from metal.
- Sensor or Button: Turns the heater on when the user presses the button or inhales. It contains small electronic parts, metal, and plastic.
Vapes are Valuable
Recycling also means recovering valuable materials rather than wasting them. Electronic devices can contain metals and other materials that can potentially be recovered and used again in manufacturing. WEEE Ireland reported that more than 20 million electronic cigarettes. sold in Ireland in 2025 were not returned for recycling, highlighting how much material is currently being lost from the recycling system.
Ultimately, responsible vape disposal is a simple matter of doing the right thing. Don’t drop used electronic cigarette. on the street. Don’t throw them from car windows. Don’t put them in the general waste bin. Don’t leave them forgotten in a drawer. Recycle them safely. Ireland already has free systems in place to make responsible disposal possible. Every used vape returned for recycling helps reduce litter, protect waste workers, prevent avoidable fires and recover valuable resources for the future.
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT is an award-winning social enterprise providing recycling collection and drop-off services for all types of waste electrical, electronic equipment (WEEE) and pure metal items.
Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development, Dormant Accounts Fund, Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Leinster.
For further details about our free and cost-effective services call us on 01 4578321, email info@recycleit.ie or visit the Recycle IT website at www.recycleit.ie
