Over the last four years, disposable vaping devices have become extremely commonplace in Michigan. These devices contain a lithium battery as well as concentrated liquid nicotine, both of which are an environmental hazard.
Disposable vapes contain a hard plastic outer component and mouthpiece, a lithium-ion battery, and a nicotine cartridge. Both the battery and the cartridge are considered hazardous waste – nicotine and lithium are toxic to wildlife and poison water sources when littered, and lithium batteries cause fires in landfills and elsewhere. They are not meant to be recycled curbside or thrown away in the trash for these reasons, and they’re especially harmful when littered. Additionally, the lithium and other minerals contained in the batteries, though fully recyclable, is lost when these devices are improperly disposed of.
There is no convenient way to properly recycle a disposable vape pen in Marquette. Until now. Beginning December 1, Citizens for Superior is partnering with Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority (MCSWMA) to host a public drop-off bucket for these vape devices at Kenny’s Corner Store in Marquette, MI.
We’ll stage a labelled drop-off bucket just inside the door at Kenny’s, so when you come in, you can discreetly drop off your used vapes. Please only insert used disposable nicotine vapes (no THC vapes, please). It’s that easy!
From there, Kenny’s employees will empty the bucket daily and store the vapes outside, in a weatherproof container, to mitigate any fire danger. We will then pick up the collected vapes once a month, place clear tape over the ends to further minimise any fire risk, and bring the vapes to the MCSWMA for proper disposal through their household hazardous waste program.
Finally, once we amass a large quantity of vape waste, we will send it to a certified recycler, who will disassemble the devices, dispose of the hazardous nicotine, and recycle the lithium battery. This is a costly and tedious process, as the vapes are small and difficult to pull apart. We’re still deciding on a recycler to send them to, based on cost and practices, but are confident we will find a good match.
Previously, the only way to properly dispose of a vape device in Marquette was to bring the device to a MCSWMA Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Day, which is held once a month or by appointment. This has resulted in the vast majority of vapes thrown in our landfills and waterways, destined to cause fires, poison aquatic life, and prevent the reuse of lithium.
We look forward to diverting the hazardous waste contained in disposable vapes from our landfill and waterways, and recapturing the minerals contained in the batteries to reduce mining pressures for these infinitely recyclable materials.
