How to Dispose of Vapes

How to Dispose of Vapes Properly in the UK

Firstly, we recommend that you read safety risks that we explain in Can Vapes Explode

If you're vaping regularly, you're also generating waste. Whether it's pods, coils, or entire vape kits, it’s important to know how to dispose of them correctly. Not only to protect the environment, but also to comply with UK regulations.

In this guide, you'll learn how to safely dispose of vapes and their parts, what the law says about e-waste, and how you can reduce your overall impact by choosing longer-lasting alternatives.

Why Proper Vape Disposal Matters

Vape kits and pods contain a mix of materials. Plastic casings, lithium batteries, metal coils and sometimes leftover e-liquid. Throwing these in the household bin is both unsafe and illegal in many areas.

Improper disposal can lead to:

• Chemical leakage from batteries

• Fires caused by damaged lithium cells

• Contaminated recycling streams

• Increased landfill waste

In short, vaping may be a cleaner alternative to smoking, but it's still your responsibility to dispose of used products correctly.

Can You Throw a Vape in the Bin?

No. Used vapes and pods are classed as small electricals and must be treated as electronic waste. This includes:

• Rechargeable devices

• Disposable vapes (if still owned before the ban)

• Pods and tanks

• Devices with built-in or removable batteries

Even if the vape no longer works or is fully empty, it must not go in general waste or your household recycling bin.

How to Dispose of Vapes in the UK

1. Take it to a local recycling centre
Most councils in the UK accept small electrical items and batteries at their main recycling points. Visit your council's website or Recycle Now to find the nearest facility.

2. Use a vape shop returns scheme
Some vape retailers offer collection points for used pods, kits and batteries. This is the easiest option if you bought in-store or order from a UK-based supplier.

3. Use supermarket battery bins
If your device uses a removable battery, you can take it to many large supermarkets, DIY shops or electronics retailers that offer public battery drop-offs.

4. Store them safely until you can recycle
If you can't get to a recycling point straight away, store old vapes and pods in a sealable container in a cool, dry place. Do not crush or disassemble them.

How to Dispose of Pods and Coils

Most refillable pod systems use replaceable pods or coils. These are often made from plastic and metal and should be treated as small e-waste.

• Prefilled pods should be collected and taken to an appropriate disposal site

• Refillable pods can be rinsed and recycled only if separated correctly, though most users should treat them as e-waste

• Coils contain wire and cotton and are best disposed of with other vape waste or small electronics

Do not flush them or dispose of them in general waste bins.

Why 6000 Puff Vapes Help Reduce Waste

One way to lower your environmental impact is by choosing longer-lasting vape kits that don’t need replacing as often.

6000 puff devices are rechargeable and often use swappable 2ml pods that last several days each. This significantly reduces how many pods or devices you throw away every month.

Our 6000 Puff Vape collection offers TPD-compliant devices with leak-resistant pods, mesh coil technology and consistent performance. They’re built to last, reduce waste and make vape disposal easier to manage.

Vape Disposal: Quick Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

• Use WEEE or e-waste bins

• Return used pods or kits to a vape shop if possible

• Separate removable batteries and dispose of them at a battery collection point

• Keep used items in a safe container until you can recycle them properly

Don’t:

• Throw vapes in the general bin

• Put pods in the household recycling

• Dismantle devices yourself

• Leave used batteries lying around unprotected

Final Thoughts

Vape kits and pods need proper disposal like any other electronic device. With more councils and vape retailers offering take-back options, there’s no reason to toss used vapes in the bin.

If you want to reduce your waste, consider switching to longer-lasting, rechargeable kits that require fewer replacements. You can find a wide range of options in our 6000 Puff Vape collection, built for convenience and better long-term value.

Clean flavour. Less waste. Smarter vaping.

Charging tips are also covered in How to Charge a Vape